Christmas, at last

On Christmas eve, the whole family attended a candlelight service at church. Linda sang in a trio.












On Christmas morning, the excitement mounted.











Emily's first Christmas. Of course, she preferred to eat the paper.














Little girls and dolls.








Happiness is a little girl with a new doll.












Mimi and Papa with three granddaughters plus 2 Christmas dolls.







After a big Christmas dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's (Gene and Thelma), there was singing, gift-giving, reading of memories, and games.








Grandpa (a.k.a. New Grandpa) always entertains.

Busy afternoon/ Busy Evening

Busy, busy, busy.




Throwing rocks in the river.










Busy, busy, busy.









Some cold weather golf.











A bonfire.











A hayride.







A good visit.

Matt & Liz at 1 a.m.

Matthew and Elizabeth arrived at 1 a.m. this morning.

They brought the next gift with them. He or she is due in March and is still in the package.

Uncle Brad Arrived

All the way from Africa, our Wise Man from the East, has arrived.


Brad got to meet Miss Emily for the first time.








Uncle Brad, aka Uncle Blah-Blah, is a hit with his nieces.

On Monday

On Monday our house full of girls needed some outlets for a little energy. Mimi helped them bake and decorate cookies.








A little sunshine, some fresh air, some games.









The air was cool, but the sun was welcomed.

Our Sunday

We're having a Lord's Day of worship and rest. Lance, Grace, Karis, Olivia, and Emily joined us for church this morning. Olivia sang the words of many Christmas songs. Karis sang as she read the words from the hymnal. And I could tell that Emily especially liked the ceiling fans in the sanctuary.

Many Mountain View friends greeted the visitors from Maryland after the service


All the children present received a bag of Christmas treats, including Emily. Maybe I'll get to help her eat hers.









The little girls were quite popular with the congregation.











We had lunch out at the Garden Gate Tea Room.

It was a great time for a family photo with the decorated background.








Olivia enjoyed the old-fashioned Christmas decorations.






This afternoon will be a time of rest with movies and games. Tomorrow Brad will arrive at St. Louis if there are no delays or cancellations caused by the eastern snow storm. Matt and Liz will arrive Monday evening from Joliet.

First Arrivals

Our family has started to arrive. Lance, Grace, Karis, Olivia, and Emily arrived today about noon after driving all night.


It was a long drive. But they made it. And no grouches in the bunch.











.... a room full of girls.....














New Grandpa and New Grandma with the great-grand-girls.















More fun and more photos to come!!!