always smiles when the pals get to ride together to playtime!

Just a typical friday morning after Music -- Tree Climbing

Baby in a tree, lookin' at me!

Just enough swings for these boys!

It is a little bit of gladness and a bunch  of fun to watch these kids grow up together. Here are photos taken at the end of the preschool season together and last year

Generations

When I see an event like intergenerational gardening or our school's garden club; 

I think, "ooh! how fun!" 

And then the Lord leads my heart and thoughts to my parents and grandmother.

 They enjoy gardening. 

Time just passes all too quickly. Life is Short. The Lord has been speaking to my heart for a couple years about not stepping back into my "overscheduled" routine that I am so comfortable in. My grandmother will be 94 this year, and I think I've taken for granted the opportunity for one-on-one time with her. My boys, my sister and I were able to play bingo with her last night. And then, while the boys bonded with my sister, I enjoyed hearing about Oma's life as a teen and in her early twenties. Oma's feet had a bubbling warm water foot massage and I manicured and painted her nails, while I got to hear the tales of life long ago. She recalls working as a shoemaker, manicurist, hair stylist, and launderer from age 15 throughout her adult life.

touching up my mess-ups already

 I have sweet memories with my sisters and cousins hanging out at her place in the summers -- she'd cut our hair, she'd sew the girls matching dresses, her rock garden, our uncles and aunties laughing up a storm with her and Opa.

Back to campus in 2012

Rather than Christian Youth Theater, our boys joined school choir this semester. It is sweet to see them in the same group with each other and with their long time pals. I know, I know, it is just cuz I am their mama that this is cute!

cool flying while swingin' on the bars

What I like about our on-campus days, is that it is a place we know we'll see our pals consistently, and from that point, we take the natural next step and have a chance to fellowship and reconnect.

Ninja pose!

Both our boys seem content and happy with this year of schooling; and that encourages that "mama's heart" in me.

Super happy face. This young man had a week of bland food, and asked for all his favorites for breakfast, and we FEASTED as a family!

Cycling along the water

with Lola and Mom, the boys and Dad -- while Oma and Lolo strolled

quick moves to HOG up the photo!

Animal Tracks

Only thing to say, was this was a totally fun time filled with movement and laughter!

See Saw

These kids have played together since my older son was a newborn. Somehow the routine of life and different schools allows the passage of time to become exponential. We enjoyed an afternoon of wheels, balloons rockets, and playground time together.

Bringing in the New Year

The new year was welcomed in with fishing at the lake

and duck feeding too

amidst fellowship with friends

Eve of the New Year 2012

 We have dear friends that are so sweet to bless us with "passes" for  family time together.

 We enjoy returning each year for the New Year's Eve fireworks and a special night show that blesses us with caroling and Christmas songs that bring our thoughts back to the One that our country's founding fathers' trusted in -- Joy to the World our Savior Reigns.  Silent Night Holy Night...Christ the Savior is born.  Oh Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.

Merry Christmas! 2011

Dinner Setting for our Christmas

All of us after dinner. The dinner game was "What movie is this (line) from?"

Some of the guys hanging out with Holly

Just finished playing fetch with Holly

Holly would rather sneak in licks than face the camera

Posing for a picture in the midst of playing catch with Holly

Christmas Eve 2011

Sunny during Yuletide Season

Glimpses

Was walking by and caught a glimpse of this little one humming a Christmas carol while he was nestled in with the Nativity that he set up amongst 'grass' he found... too cute to pass up a photo

Favorite

 This is my all-time favorite Christmas tradition for our family. I am greatful for the hands and hearts that put together this spectacular production. I am also thankful that my husband and kids bear the hour-long line and the cold for me who enjoys it more than any of them. It is a theatrical walk-through play of God's great Love for us, and His desire to rescue us, as seen from the time of Moses through Jesus birth and resurrection.

God rescued the Israelites and delivered them from Pharoah. Those spots are water spray on us as
 we follow our leader Moses as we walk through the parted Red Sea.

God rescued Meshach, Shadrach and Abenigo when they were thrown in the fiery furnace
because they would only bow down to God, not an idol.

God loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son.

Jesus paid the debt for our sins and made a way to heaven for those who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior.

The boys rocked back and forth as they sang "We Three Kings" as we were in line.

They are SO excited that it is their turn to ride the camel, they can't contain themselves!
[So fun that they were just singing We 3 Kings]

By the end of the evening, we had cold toes and refreshed hearts, walking through our living reminder of   Jesus Christ in CHRISTmas.

As we drove away, our youngest one said, "At least Christmas is every year." With further probing from me, he said, "We don't have to wait too long for it to happen again!" The next morning our oldest one shared, "I loved every part of it!" That's a blessing to hear, because I can't wait til next time!