Tis the Season

To all my blogging friends and fellow stalkers:

Let me encourage you to not get caught up in the hype of this time of year. Take time to bless and be blessed. Cherish your time with family and friends. Every moment together is a gift from God.

Christmas is so much more than cookies and presents!

May you be given a spirit of peace, joy, and contentment and may Christ reign in your life.

Michelle

Oh Christmas Tree!

The boys and Chris hauled out the Christmas decorations this past Friday while I was tutoring. Chris was kind enough to even put the tree together and straighten out the branches (what a guy!)

The boys were excited because we also brought out the Christmas toys. They love playing with Rudolph and Clarice as well as watching Christmas movies and reading Christmas books.

On Saturday the boys and I finished decorating while Chris was working. They had so much fun decorating the tree. I think they did a fantastic job!

Yes, we were all still in our pajamas. When Chris is gone it's fair game to stay in pj's all day!

I can sympathize with my blogging friends about the ornament clusters.

Canada or Bust, Eh?

Instead of our normal Black Friday shopping adventures, we took a ten hour car ride to see our friends the Jones family. The weather wasn't terribly bad and the boys did a great job (once again.)

We did many fun things while in Canada but I think the boys would tell you they enjoyed playing outside with Hannah and Lucas and seeing all the reptiles at the reptile zoo the most.

Although we can't remember it's name, this is a reptile from New Zealand which was thought to be extinct up until a few years ago.

Here's a better view of the pseudo-extinct New Zealand reptile.

We were also allowed to pet a baby crocodile.

Chris holding a tarantula.

Nice python, eh?

I chose not to touch any of the animals on display but instead had irrational images of my boys being swallowed by the snake or bitten by the spider. Nice.

While at the zoo we saw multiple animals being fed (dead) mice and chicken heads. Yummy! What an experience!

Unlike Ohio, Ontario had lots of snow to play in. The boys were ecstatic.

What a face! I wonder what he was up to?

The four musketeers. Why is Jonathan always eating snow??

Thanks, Sam and Ruth-Ann, for your hospitality. I'm looking forward to reciprocating in a few weeks!

Being Thankful

What a great Thanksgiving!


The day before Thanksgiving Chris's dad got all of his kids (and their families) together for a yummy Chinese dinner in Canton.

Arianna took this picture. I think my eyes are closed.

I took this picture. I should have gotten everyone's attention.

Thanksgiving morning Chris and I took three girls from the church to a local food bank where we helped prepare a community Thanksgiving dinner.


In the afternoon we went over to Chris's mom's house to celebrate with his side of the family.

The food was scrumptious!

Nina Tripp and Jonathan

Drew is such a cutie!

Drew and Nina Tripp

Claudia and Ryan (Kathy's sister and nephew)

Roger and Jonathan (Claudia's husband)

Megan (Chris's sister) and Austin

Jonathan and Papa and Nina Tripp

Beth (Chris's sister,) Josh, and Arianna

After we had stuffed our faces there we headed over to my family's house to eat again.

Me and Andrea. My nose is huge.

The food was scrumptious here too!

We have a lot to be thankful for this year!

With two Thanksgiving dinners sitting heavy in our bellies, we headed home to begin packing for a visit to the Jones family in Canada.

What a whirlwind day!