'Tis the Season

 "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting and his truth endureth to all generations."

Psalm 100

The month of November was a very busy month for us.  In amongst all the bustling everyday activities were some highlights.  One of those being the program we did for the XYZ senior citizens group at our grandparents' (Wanda's parents) church.

 We sang, did some instrumentals, and Dad read scripture and turned pages for Christina while she played the piano. : )

Christina and Valerie played a piano/field pump organ duet.  The field organ is collapsible and was used in the military.  This was a "first" for that one.

We enjoyed seeing people we hadn't seen in years!  But it was amazing how many of them we "kids" recognized. : )

 And they had just about enough food for the entire city. : )  Was it ever good!

For Thanksgiving, our family gathered at Pa Paw and Ma Maw's house for a huge feast and some good family fun.

 The dessert table is always the main attraction. : )  This year was no exception.

 Crystal brought the cutest little turkey cupcakes for Madelyn and Cayden.  Really adorable!

Our family stayed the night at Pa Paw and Ma Maw's so we could help them decorate on Friday.  That was sooooo much fun!

 Ma Maw pulled out the ornaments and gave directions,

 and we put them on the tree.

 This was the hard part.  Just so much rope and just so much tree.  Can't get it too tight, but can't get it too loose either.  Needless to say, when we ran out of rope, we still had some tree left. : )

 It just takes a little bit of adjusting....

 Daddy's Baby Girl

 After we got practice on the big one, we moved to the living room and decorated their small tree.

It was so sweet to be able to spend some time with Pa Paw and Ma Maw!

We've also had some little things going on that add some excitement and spice to life. : )

The other night, our cat, Bubbles, began meowing at the door....well, from the inside it sounded like she was wheezing.  Someone opened the door and in ran Bubbles with a mouse in her mouth!  It wasn't just any mouse either.  It was a LIVE mouse!!!  (shriek!)  She ran straight to the kitchen and dropped it on the floor.  Christina and Sara searched for something to catch it in and finally found a box to throw over it ~ but the box had holes for handles.  Sara covered these with her hands, but urged Christina to find something else....QUICK!  She was afraid the mouse would find her hands and bite them. : )  By this time, Bubbles began to show some interest in the mouse, so Christina decided to lift the box and see what the cat would do.  Not a wise decision.  Bubbles grabbed the mouse and carried it to the dining room.....right to the open air vent!  She was going to drop it down the hole!  There were a few females about to freak out!  Christina grabbed a jug with a lid and successfully scooped the mouse up and shut it tight.  Whew!  This time, if Bubbles wanted it, she had to go OUTSIDE!

 Cute little thing -- in the jug! : )

Another highlight has been fresh baked whole wheat bread.  We've attempted such things in the past, but the outcome was never edible, to say the least. : )  We finally found a recipe suitable for us (with a little tweaking) that worked!  All it has in it is whole wheat flour, water, honey, yeast, and salt.  It's hardy, but delicious!

And we decorated a little bit for Christmas.  Nothing extravagant, but homey and warm looking.  Ray had said a couple months ago that he couldn't wait til time for the candles to glow and the fire to be lit in the fireplace.  Well...here it is! : )

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Silent night, holy night,

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child.

Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.

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Silent night, holy night,

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

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Silent night, holy night,

Wondrous star, lend thy light;

With the angels let us sing,

Alleluia to our King;

Christ the Savior is born!

Christ the Savior is born!

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