Snuggle Up

For a date, Pete and I enjoyed a cozy fire during rainy weather. What fun to extend the warmth to family time. This night was our 3rd time around the fire for January. We enjoyed story time, popcorn and a crackling fire. Then joking and laughing with dad amidst the fire-lit room.

Home Theater

On this particular saturday, Aidon asked for "double family time" [morning and evening], since daddy would be at Guys-Nite-out tonight. The answer was yes &

Aidon immediately set up a "movie theater" in the bedroom.

Here's the theatre-style seating:

Lights out! and the masters of ceremonies Planet Heroes flanked the "big screen" while we watched The Show, complete with breakfast, before taking Daddy to work!

Jingle Bells, Jungle Bells!

We enjoyed the lightscape of the Jungle on Jan 1st, especially from the skyfari:

This polar bear is pretty slippery:Well, this one is standing up, but it's pretty hard to hold:
Havin' a trumpeting time at Elephant Odyssey:

Five on Friday

1. Just enjoyed a good game of Bunco!
2. Excited for the next 8-week study of the Word that started this week.
3. I am blessed with the family and people that the Lord has planned and interwoven into my life.
4. I love the wonder, and hopeful expectation that comes with the start of a new "season" (or chapter) of life --- watching that --- not only in my life, yet also that of my family and friends around me.
5. I am moved by God's faithfulness.

On The Ranch

Josh was blessed with a unique opportunity to visit a ranch and he found joy being with the animals
riding, brushing, or feeding them...

Check this out! [Click Here]

The Christ-centered answer to Nick and Disney!

http://www.jellytelly.com/

Let the Waters Rise [Click Here]

I love this song. It reminds us that God is with us through each trial we go through. He always has been there and always will be." I'm willing to go where You want me to. God I trust you... I will follow You....I will swim in the deep because You are right next to me. You are in the eye of the storm and the calm of the sea. You're never out of reach. God, You know where I've been. You were there with me then. You were faithful before. You'll be faithful again! I'm holding your hand."

Puppeteers

Skunk Josh.....

and brother Aidon orchestrated a wild animal puppet show
at the Discovery Center

Happy New Year! from the Suggetts

This is a time when I enjoy reflecting back on
joyful memories and everyday moments.

We share our 2009 memory collage with you.

We found joy through each season that

came and went in 2009 - a blessed year!

Wishing you many blessings in 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.

New Years Eve 2009

As is our tradition to visit the Nighttime Park some time after Christmas; we enjoyed Wild Holiday Nights til closing time as the start of our New Years Eve celebration! here's an elephant decked out for the holidays: Beautiful evening to be out -- Here is the nightscape of Congo fishing village's waterfall at Mombasa Lagoon:

The Black Light Puppet Show was an absolute HIT with the kids!

[30 second video clip here]

they liked it so much that they watched both shows!!

Then...home and cozy warm in bed til our COUNTDOWN!! The party menu was sweets, sweets, and sweets (only once a year!): cinnamon sugar bagel poppers, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, chocolate pretzels, chocolate raisins, pasteles, swedish fish gummies, & jelly beans.

We toasted in the 2010 with sparkling cranberry, fun tunes, and the live webcast of the CBS Vegas countdown! Josh woke up in time and stayed up about 5 minutes before politely asking to go back to bed. Aidon willingly climbed out of bed just after midnite and stayed up for the rest of the party!

Farewell 2009!

10 on Tuesday

1. What a week!
2. I misplaced the camera one week before Christmas!
3. I was sure I left it at the classroom Christmas party.
4. It turned up today under the passenger seat of the car, which we checked at least three times.
5. I deleted Internet Explorer from the computer about the same time.
6. Only to find out (last night) that it was still on the computer - just needed a computer whiz to figure that out!
7. So, maybe i was Not supposed to blog Christmas week. maybe I was Not supposed to get many pictures.
8. There were few things going on at this house.
9. illness traveled from one family member to another - from the day after school was out, through even today (first day of recovery).
10. A week of mishaps, staying home, coughs, aches and sniffles...amidst the Christmas celebrations. Such is Real Life.

Kinder Christmas

Here is Lola and Shepherd Josh, who is holding the Shepherd's staff.

Aidon called Lola and Lolo in the wee morning hours to be assured that they'll be at the kindergarten Christmas program. His part was a shepherd.

Amongst the show cast were a donkey, wise men, angels, and more shepherds.

the Cast for "The Savior is Born" program recited Luke Chapter 2:
Shepherd, Sheep, and Wise Man:

Two shepherds just outside bethlehem:

My remembrance of a comical morning. I am very "literal" at times and followed the "costume idea" to the tee. Just a pillowcase, rope, and bedsheet - lots of safety pins. At first, the sheet was wrapped so tight around that he couldn't walk from the parking lot. I carried him to the "line" so we wouldn't be late. After cinching up the sheet with rope, there was enough space to walk -- just a 10 foot rope following behind! His teacher shared scissors to hem the rope belt and encouraging words- "He looks fabulous!"

By the end of "The Savior is Born" and the Christmas Carol "Silent Night", my heartstrings were touched by the good news of the incarnation of our Savior. That as a tiny baby, Jesus begins to fulfill His purpose on earth - to offer us forgiveness, cleansing, healing, and salvation.

An eternal life in Heaven with our Abba Father.

Their teacher, Mrs. Gray, helped me to remember that it is such a blessing that the children -- as each of yours do too -- have an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus this Christmas Season.

Merry CHRISTmas!