Merry Christmas!

We've had a great Christmas Day. We started out at church with a wonderful service of music and worship. My Dad, Ann and my brother spent the day here. After enjoying a ham and many other fixings, we spent the day playing games and just spending time together. I hope you all had great Christmas also - celebrating with family but also remembering the reason we celebrate - the birth of our Savior!

Just Look at it Now!

Do you remember the picture I posted on Friday of our picnic table? Well, just look at it now - can you believe all that snow?

Warning!!

Stay off the roads people!!! It's 9:00 here and I just returned home. Chelsea had to work at the nursing home this morning so I took her. It was horrible. I couldn't see a thing. There was maybe a lane plowed on Chicago Drive and it's starting to drift badly. At least churches were smart and cancelled services. Now I have to head back this afternoon to pick her up. I don't think there will be any improvement; in fact it will probably be worse. Just take my advice and stay home!

The Need for 4 Wheel Drive

For those of you who don't live in a northern state like ours, I hope these pictures explain why we sometimes need gas guzzling, large, 4 wheel drive vehicles!
This is just the snow from around 3:00 this morning. I'm not really looking forward to going to work today but.... guess I'll just put it in 4 wheel drive and go slow.

Oh FYI - it is a snow day!

Prayers for the Byker Family

I have a prayer request for you all. A man Dave used to work with was diagnosed with a brain tumor last September - 2007. Throughout these last five weeks, he has had many problems. He went home last Friday with hospice care. Today, it was updated that he could be passing away anytime. He is only 42 years old, with a wife and 3 children - ages 14, 12 and 9. I know this family could use a lot of prayers right now. Thanks.

It's Christmas Candy Time!

Saturday was our annual Christmas candy making day. We always plan this about the 2nd week of December. Everyone is assigned different candies. It takes a bit of time to do it but we always have fun. (and get some great rewards out of it!)

Katelyn was in charge of truffles, peanut butter balls and white chocolate mix.

















Chelsea had to work in the morning so when she came home, she did tiger butter and puppy chow.













Shaelyn made peanut butter balls, pretzel sticks and pretzels with m&m's.













Here's everything we did. No - we're not hurting for snack foods!

It's Snow Much Fun Out There!

Yup - it's that time in Michigan again! SNOW!!! and lots of it. I know some of you aren't thrilled but really, don't you need snow for Christmas? I think it's so beautiful and the kids are enjoying playing in it (and hoping for a snow day)















Look at my little Angels!

Call Me Crazy but...

Meet Lilli!













I know we have 3 cats already but Katelyn wanted to get this one for Shaelyn for her birthday. She is 1/2 Persian - very fuzzy and flat faced. The other cats seem to be adjusting well and Milli is more than ready to be a friend. (If only Lilli knew that) Now everyone has their own pet!

It's the Day After Thanksgiving so.....

We put up our Christmas Tree!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Wow - Can you believe the snow that fell this morning? I thought it was going to start this afternoon. I had to head out this morning and it was slippery. I saw a few cars needing a tow truck. I brought lunch to Chelsea so that I had a reason to tell her to drive SLOWLY!

It does look pretty though, doesn't it!

Shaelyn's Having a Birthday!

Shaelyn turned 6 years old today! She chose to have broccoli cheese soup for supper.
It was yummy!! After supper, she got some presents to open. Katelyn was at the dorms so we don't have a picture of her with Shaelyn.
Hope you had a fun birthday, Linnie Li! We love you!!!











































She wanted a soccer ball cake - and yes, there are 6 candles on it!

Soup Time!

Would you like to try a quick and delicious chicken noodle soup?
I made this last week in the crock pot. Everyone loved it!
It's perfect for the weather I'm seeing out there today.

5 cups hot water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
46 oz. can chicken broth
2 cups cooked chicken
1 tsp. salt
4 cups noodles, uncooked
1/3 cup thinly sliced celery, lightly cooked in microwave
1/3 cup chopped carrots

1. Dissolve bouillon in water. Pour into crock pot.
2. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well.
3. Cover. Cook on low 4-6 hours.

It's not even Christmas Yet!

First, she got this 4 weeks ago......















Today she got this!

It's November 4!

I voted this morning. Have you?

Trick or Treat

Friday night, we headed out for trick or treating. It really was beautiful weather. I love it that the time change is a bit later so it's still light out. Here's Shaelyn getting ready to go. She was an excited cheerleader.


















Somehow, these two cowgirls found her and decided to join in.













It didn't take long and here's the treats she got. She's got some cheese kurls in her lunch for tomorrow!

A Bit of Time and Work

Do you remember that last year, we painted our bedroom? Well, slowly we've been working to save up money for a floor. We found this wood floor on clearance. It has been sitting in our bedroom, waiting to be installed. A few weeks ago, Dave had some time, so he invited Mark over for a floor makeover. In less than 5 hours, they had it completed. Now I just have to get a rug to lay down.


Here is my room with the old teal green carpet. (Ignore those spots on the picture)















Here are the guys working hard!











Here is the floor all completed. Doesn't it look nice? I don't know why there are spots in my picture because the floor doesn't have them!

I'm Still Alive

I'm back from a wet weekend of camping! In spite of the rain, we still had fun as a family. We got to the campground on Thursday with beautiful weather. Thursday night, we got to carve our pumpkins. I saved the seeds to cook for when we got home. During the night, it started to rain and continued, until supper time. The kids got to go trick or treating around the campground sites without any rain! After trick or treating, we went back into the auditorium for apple bobbing, cookie and cupcake decorating and making caramel apples. Yummy!! Saturday, it rained on and off. There still was a polar dip in Lake Michigan for anybody daring (or stupid) enough to jump in. Today was a beautiful day. When we came out of the church service, the sun was brightly shining and we saw blue skies!
It was a good day to pack up in. Even with the rain, we made the best out of it. Now we have to clean the trailer out good to put into storage this week.

10 Things I Love

This was on Cheri's blog awhile back. You are supposed to list 10 things that you love with the letter designated to you. I told her not to give me a hard one so
Cheri assigned me letter "P". I didn't think "P" would be difficult but it took me a bit to come up with them. I wasn't quite as creative as Mari by putting a mosaic of my things together. I'm just writing the list. If any of you haven't done it and want to, let me know and I'll give you a letter.

1. Pets
2. Pink Lemonade
3. Princesses ( my daughters)
4. Patriotic Heroes
5. Parties
6. Pea Soup
7. Playing Games
8. Paper for Scrapbooks
9. Pictures
10. Presents

Hungry?

Look what I made today! Topsy Turvy Cupcakes - chocolate cupcakes
with cream cheese filling! Can't wait for them to cool down a bit to take a bite.

Have You Ever?

My sister, Cheri had this on her blog last week. I'm finally getting around to
doing it too. All the ones that are highlighted are things that I have done.
How many have you done?

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone - verbal not physical
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe.
113. Buried a child- (kind of)
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in a historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Ran a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class-
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away- for 2 minutes
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunch box
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a camp fire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter