Our Family Christmas

We had such a nice Christmas this year. Christmas Eve, Myron and I arrived at Nate and Ten's. Sarah had already arrived..... The girls were busy making homemade pizzas.
We spent the evening eating, visiting, remenissing, playing games, watching Andy Griffith, and the boys got to open one present.


Christmas Morning the kids bundled up for a run and Dad decided to go along!
He only went 7 blocks but I was proud of him !! What a trooper.... It was COLD out there !!!
The kids run so much I think they are pretty used to it... although Sarah got picture of ice on her eye lashes and on Nate's beard... BURRRRR !
After the kids got back and warmed up, we had breakfast, devotions,( read by Reed, Ryan and Nate)
opened gifts.... then more eating, watching Andy and Barney....AND several had naps through the day.....
Just a wonderful relaxed day!!!! The only thing that could have made it better would have been if Aaron had been able to be home from North Dakota !!! Maybe NEXT year !!!

 

Candlelight Christmas Service

Sunday night the 23rd was such a special service! Many of us attended our first
Candlelight service.
We had our opening hymn and the choir songs as ususal.
Then during prayer the lights were turned off and
after prayer Bro. John Hayes decended from the attic like he did in the Christmas play.
Then he sat down on the platform in a rocking chair and read the Christmas story out of a large
family Bible.
After the Christmas story we were given candles and we sang many Christmas Carols,
had special music and Preacher preached the message by candlelight.
It was an amazing service! It sounds like it might become a tradition at MABC
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caring Acres Christmas Party

Last week I went and spent my last week with Dad Hoffert before I have knee replacement
surgery Jan. 2nd.
I went to visit on Tues, and the Director of Nursing warned me that a bad snow was coming
and that maybe I should plan on staying at the nursing home for the rest of the week so I didn't have to drive back and forth to the folk's or not get to come visit Dad at all ...SO...
I became a nursing home resident from Wed- Sat morning!!!!!
I totally enjoyed my time there. It was so nice to be close to Dad AND to have my own room :O)
When he would rest, I would visit around with other residents or go to my room and relax myself!
Here are a couple of pictures that really doesn't do the storm justice !!!
We had 10" of snow and the next day 50 mile a hour winds !!!
I am REALLY glad I didn't have to get out in it!!!
 

One afternoon we had coffe and Verna read the Anita paper

On Friday there was a Christmas party for the residents and their
families. We sang a lot of Christmas carols, had a reading, and
SANTA came !!
Then we had snacks and a wonderful time visiting.
Caring Acres is such a great place.... I love being there enjoying the residents
and the staff!
It truly is a little family !!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Reed !!!

Happy Birthday to the cutest little Old Fashioned Boy, Ever !!!
Happy 9th Birthday, Reed!!!
Grandma loves you !!!!!


This is a picture I took of him last weekend at the Christmas Play
He was in the opening scene and he just melted this grandma's heart when I saw him !!!
He is always so loving and LOVES to draw ( and is good at it)
He has brought so much joy to our lives!!
 

Bathroom Remodel

God has blessed us with being able to remodel a bathroom.... A much needed remodel !!
I am getting ready to have knee replacement surgery in January so
it is a very timely remodel as well since we didn't have a shower that we could use.

Here are a few before pics



And the first few days of gutting..... Will add more as we go along....

 

Christmas play 2012

How can the church photographer NOT blog about the Christmas Play???
BUT.....
Which pictures do you post??? How many do you post???
Well..... Here are just a few, THEN you can go
HERE
to see the photos from each showing....
God blessed with safety
packed out crowds
and most of all over 400 precious souls saved !!!

 

 

 

 

 

Caring Acres Tree Decorating Party

The Nov. 29th, Caring Acres ( the home where Myron's dad lives) had a special evening
to decorate their trees. It was a special inforamal evening.
It started out with decorating the three trees,

There weren't a lot of residents that were able to help with the decorating
but there was a LOT of supervisors !!!!

Before it was all over one of the aids had brought her WII
and it didn't take two much arm twisting to get Imo and Wayne to try their hand
at Bowling and Tennis ( although they only played one round of tennis)
What a lot of laughs!
I love this home and both the residents and staff! God truly blessed Dad (and our family)
with Caring Acres in Anita!

 

60 yrs !!!

60 years ago right about this minute.... My mother was walking down the isle towards her sweetheart
and a whole new life. Sixty YEARS !!!!
What a precious journey, hand in hand. I LOVE to watch them love each other!!!
WHAT an amazing example they have been to those around them!
The Bible says to give honor to whom honor is due....
And to honor your parents......
I cannot put into words  how much I love and respect my parents! I am just SOOO thankful for them!
I love you Dad and Mom! Happy Anniversary!!! May you have MANY more !!!
 

Not Just ANY Rolls Will Do.....They HAVE To Be Grandma Taylor's Rolls !!!

For as long as I can remember my Grandma Taylor ( my mother's mother) made rolls for EVERY occasion!!!
At my bridal shower almost 40 yrs ago Grandma gave me her recipe.
HERE is THE recipe in her handwriting! It is SO precious to me!
After she passed away I was the one that started making them for Thanksgiving.
A few yrs ago ( because of a crazy schedule) I cheated and bought frozen dough and baked them........WOW !!!!! Did I get in TROUBLE !!!!!
I wasn't sure I would get to come to Thanksgiving IF I were to EVER do THAT again!!!
So, Today was roll baking day for tomorrow, and I decided to  document it as I go....

So HERE GOES :O)
 

Scald your milk ( I do it in the microwave and melt my butter at the same time)

When it is luke warm add the salt, beaten eggs, and yeast
add your flour

 

get it all mixed together and put it in a greased bowl to let raise
 

punch it down and let raise again
punch it down and make rolls
 

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes
then reduce to 300 for another 10-15 minutes (watching closely)
 

When you take them out I rub BUTTER all over them and let them cool!!

Here is the finished product cooled and waiting to go into a container
to head to my folk's tonight.
 

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Remember to take some time to think about just HOW BLESSED we are !!!! 

Heartland Quartet Reunion

Myron was asked probably about 15 yrs ago or more to be in a quartet at our church. We both enjoyed him being in the group SO much.... These men and their wives were friends of ours and we were all so comfortable with one another. They made a couple of cds and really enjoyed their practices and singing together!!! They mainly sang for our church but did sing a few times other places. We all grew close, then about 10 yrs ago Dan and Carmen moved away and they haven't been able to sing together again until This week! Dan and Carmen are on deputation to go to Mexico as missionaries and are in the area on deputation and are visiting family for Thanksgiving.
They are going to present their work at our church on Sunday night, so Preacher asked the quartet if they would  sing for about a half hour before our evening service. We met at Kevin and Lori's for supper last night and then the guys practiced for several hours.
I am sure some of you will feel like some of these pictures are dedundant, BUT check out the facial expressions in the pictures! Those of you that have seen them sing before and that know the guys will enjoy the expressions and interactions!