The Beginnings of Christmas

Molly's piano teacher gave students the opportunity to play Christmas music at a nearby nursing home in early December.

Molly played two songs and did a great job!

The 2nd and 3rd graders presented a wonderful Christmas progam with song

and even learned to sign "Silent Night".

Here is Brandon's class dressed as snowmen.

They also did a great job and even kept their stuffing in place!

When the children were done singing the music teacher said a few words that included telling the audience that she hoped they knew The One that we celebrate this Christmas season.

It was a great start to our family's celebration of Jesus' birth!

Happy 18th Birthday Joel!

Per Joel's request we celebrated Joel's 18th birthday with an apple pie and vanilla ice cream.

Okay, so this isn't the most flattering picture of Joel, but he said I could keep it on here. We celebrated Joel's birthday with Chinese take-out, yummy. He also started a new job that same day, preparing to be done with high school mid-December and planning a busy semester for January.

Joel is a wonderful young man with a deepening relationship with the Lord. We enjoy him greatly! He possesses a dry sense of humor that we all enjoy.

Happy Birthday Joel!

Chicago in October

My mom has been part of a clinical trial to treat her cancer at the University of Chicago. This means that frequently we make the trek to Chicago very early in the morning. Much of the time we have been a trio as Mom, Nathan, and myself have ventured out together. Nathan has even made himself a tiny little fan club of some of the staff. Nathan has been a great traveler and a nice distraction during a not so fun trip. My sister Valerie has helped out in between working and doing an internship for her class.

In mid-October the kids had the day off school on Mom's clinic day so Ken joined us and we all made the trip at 5:30am. Ken and the kids spent the morning at the Field Museum of Natual History while mom and I were at her appointment. When we were done we joined them down by Lake Michigan and had a picnic lunch. It was a beautiful day!

Nathan mugging for the camera in front of the lake.

Daniel in all his coolness.

Molly and Dad checking out the water.

M0lly and Daniel keeping a close eye on Nathan.
(There are several very wide stairs in front of them you can't see.)

While going to Chicago has lost some of its beauty for me due to the frequency of our trips, it has been very nice to be able to spend time with my mom. My mom is a lovely lady whom I admire greatly. It has been an honor to honor my mom in this way.

"Honor your father and your mother,

so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Exodus 20:12

Running Fast and Far

Joel has run Cross Country the last two years. He enjoys the discipline and distance. (He is his father's son in that area.)

The group of seniors out of approximately 50 runners.

Two great coaches that we are very thankful for.


Guys in black on Awards Night.


Way to go Joel!

Fun Fall Fotos

The youngest with the oldest. Everyone looks forward to Allison being home for a weekend.

Natalie (midfield in purple) getting it done for her soccer team.

Joel working hard on the computer.

Molly in the mix playing soccer.

Brandon in the goal for his team.

Allison bought these chairs at Goodwill for a few dollars, the table we had already.

Here is the finished product in her apartment building at school.

Here is what the chairs looked like in the process of re-doing them.
They had been an ugly brown color, here they are primed.


Nathan enjoying the fall festival in our town.

Daniel and Brandon about to do the swings. Brandon wasn't too sure about what he was getting himself into.

If you look closely Ken and Brandon are in the middle of this ship, with daredevils Molly and Daniel near the end.

Brandon as Nathan's buddy.

#9 Molly

Molly turned 9 back in September (I know I am very slow with my posting.) Molly is the cup 1/2 full person in our house, she is the one to make us laugh with her crazy sayings. Molly plays the piano, reluctantly, loves Barbies, her American Girl doll, and anything pink. She spends many hours playing teacher. She is a girlie, girl that happens to be interested in bugs and riding her bike.

Happy 9th Birthday Molly!

Mooom, I Need Help!

Molly has done her own hair for a long time and 'usually' does a great job! But one day things went wrong...

Ken and I both worked at it for a long time. Just when we thought we were going to have to use the scissors....

Ken was able to get it out. Not sure her hair ever has totally recovered. Phew!

She is being much more careful these days.