Christmas Times A Comin'

 Bella even received a stuffed animal that she loves.

Took an online class for chalkboard art & LOVE IT.  Each year we get the

kids an ornament (so when they move out they have a few on the tree)  This year Shalene chose a snowbaby.  

Naughty Or Nice?

Have you been Naughty or Nice?  Which list are you on???????  Well our Elf has been

in the house and he has been a bit Naughty :)  This season we have been on the quiet side, which

is unusual for us during the Christmas Season....However, no major parts in the Christmas program and such...gotta say, the program is fun but a quiet year is fun as well.

Been busy with our countdown (making homemade ornaments -- wishing star ornaments (above), chalkboard ornaments & cups, red velvet pancakes, peppermint pancakes, party punch, games, and simply fun family moments....This is something I have learned to really love....during the

busy season, our countdown makes sure that we have some time together as a family.

 Its awful to say but this is the first year that we have attended the live nativity in Middleburg.....was nice 

and cold that evening but such a gentle reminder of our Lord.

I have been having a lot of fun making some new Christmas decor (Steve, with much coaxing, brought home some old windows for me to craft with....I gotta say, he kept asking why I wanted old junk windows but begrudgingly brought them home , YAY, pinterest and I are best friends)

 Though we have given in to the artificial tree (I'm sorry but the cost for a real one was just getting to be too much)  However, one of my very favorite things to see during the Christmas season (No clue why!!!) is a fresh cut Christmas tree on top of a car.  I also LOOOOOOOVE to visit Country Cupboard and Country Farm and Home & drool over all of the stunning decorations and endless ideas they have.

Summer 2013 Part 2

 Yep, Clay is really getting into this hunting business.

 We had our cookie back a little earlier this year since it seems Nov & Dec get so busy.

We baked over 1600 cookies.

 

 

 The homeschoolers started off the year with a banquet.  Several of the girls needed

to make a meal for home ec...so they threw a banquet.....They drew names to

see who was gonna go with who :)

Our Summer 2013

 Well, I am trying to catch up a little and I am way behind on this blog. 

We had a nice FAMILY summer......Spent some time in South Carolina

with my parents....went and saw "Karen Peck & New River" sing.

 We then hit the beach for several days....Poor Steve ended up with a horrible sunburn and

missed a couple days of work because it hurt so bad.  We did FINALLY find our

own sand dollar....and walked a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG way

to the Kindred Spirit mailbox on the beach....you post prayer

requests in a notebook.

 Once back home from being lazy the garden was waiting for me!!!!

Thank the Lord for such a wonderful crop...whew, I filled a lot of jars

but is it ever oh so tasty!

 We were able to get a camping trip in as well.....a group of around

50 of us all gathered and had a great & lazy time.

 Senior Pictures -- Hard to believe Shalene is a Senior, but yeppers, its

happening.

 Clayton was able to purchase a bow!! He is so thrilled, has spent

a lot of time in the woods this year, he did get a deer.  Below you will see

that Shalene tried shooting the bow....this was her first time....she learned from that one.