BRIDAL SHOWER

Kristi came up from VA beach for Christmas. 

And her bridal shower.

She is getting married in April in Costa Rica...

I would so love to go.

However, it is just not possible.

So her mom threw her a nice, Christmas-themed, shower on 12/28.

Baby Isabella needed some nourishment...

she is due to make her appearance in just a few short weeks!!

Everything looked festive.

Aunt, friend, cousin, sister-in-law to be. 

The latter would be the girl in pink.

(Shauna??)

Aunts & Mimi

Navigating the present pile.

Cupcakes were decorated by the bride-to-be and her brother.

Though, Kristi did have a lot to say about Jason's efforts (or lack thereof??) ;)

If you look closely, you will see that there are little sea creatures littering the cupcakes

cause of course she had to bring the beach into Christmas SOMEHOW!! 

Time for gifts..

Does she bake? or does she not bake? 

That was the question.

posed by an uncle who was not present who decided the answer was no..

and sent along a little cake so Ben would have something on the cake plate.

Cousin Michelle diligently recording all the gifts and gift givers..

while cousin Stacy made a bouquet for the bride.

Gift opening made easy.

A little help with the tape.

Finished bouquet.

Cousins.

We've been friends for a long time, huh girls??

Shootin' the breeze.

Lovely seeing you...

I hope the next couple of months stay stress-free as the big day gets closer.

CHRISTMAS GET-TOGETHER- I LOST TRACK OF THE NUMBER.

On December 26th, we had another small celebration...

another chance to visit with Mike & Penny.

As, I'm posting these pictures right now, Carina is watching me.

Her comment, "That's Isabelle.  She's cute."

We had dinner..

And then did a small gift exchange...the kids each got to open 1 thing.

They didn't get the whole trading idea, so we didn't push the issue. :)

Then it was the adult exchange.

This was stolen from Sherilyn.

And Penny & I traded.

Jamie swiped this...she reasoned it was good for feeding chickens! :)

Then, some went downstairs to play games

I guess Michael decided that Aunt Jamie needed some help.

It was a nice time.  It was also our last visit with Mike, Penny, & Izzy.

We're glad you had a safe trip home...

It was great to see you.

Hopefully it won't be so long between visits!!!

CHRISTMAS DAY

Before you begin, let me just warn you..my editing tool is not working properly for some reason.

So, if you see some red-eye etc. just deal with it.

Hopefully I can have this fixed soon.  Though, honestly, I don't even like the editing tool that I use.  It only lets me use one function per picture.  I mean really, what if I want to crop AND take out red-eye???

Anyway, I digress.

These are pictures from Christmas Day 2009. 

After Church on Christmas morning, we went home for the afternoon. 

It was nice to be able to do so. (normally we don't)

Late afternoon, we headed over to Nena and Popi's house for dinner.

One dining room..designated "the kid's room" since it was populated with booster seats.

While everyone is getting a plate..

The downstairs is always decorated so nicely. 

Though a few more stockings on the wall...and there won't be room for anything else!!!

The 2nd dining room

Opening presents.

Michael got a pop-gun from Uncle Artie & Aunt Chara..

I think that in any subsequent picture of him you'll probably

see it being that he didn't put it down for the rest of the night.

Now, he can shoot all the tigers and foxes he wishes. :)

Attempting a kid picture..they are all color coordinated.

And that is a good as it got.

We went upstairs to sing some carols..

Matching necklaces..

(well, one is real and one is not)

Silent observer.

Michael & Zachary

Penny & Zachary...

hmm..maybe another little McCoy in the near future???

;)

Isabelle, a gift.

pajama time...

CHRIST, WHOSE GLORY FILLS THE SKIES

Christ, Whose glory fills the skies,

Christ, the true, the only Light.

Sun of Righteousness, arise,

Triumph o'er the shades of night;

Dayspring from on high be near;

Day-star, in my heart appear.

Dark and cheerless is the morn

Unaccompanied by Thee;

Joyless in the day's return

Till Thy mercy's beams I see;

Till they inward light impart,

Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.

Visit then this soul of mine,

Pierce the gloom of sin and grief.

Fill me, Radiancy divine,

Scatter all my unbelief;

More and more Thyself display,

Shining to the perfect day.

Charles Wesley

1740

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well, here it is, 2010. 

Very strange to type and think. 

I hope you had a good 2009...

We've had our share of trials and joys and everything in between--

through it all, we can say the Lord has been good to us,

even when we are undeserving.

It has been a busy couple of years..

lets chronicle really quick, beginning with 2003:

2003:

 graduated college,

got my first teaching job,

Mike and I started "dating"

2004:

we got engaged

2005:

 we got married

2006: 

Michael was born

2007: 

Carina was born

2008: 

we bought a house

2009:

 Rian was born

It has been quite eventful with something major every year.

I wonder what 2010 will bring.