Christmas 2012

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

We celebrated Christmas Eve at the barn in Camarillo.  

Then onto Auntie Linda and Uncle Tim's for 

the Feast of Seven Fishes.

Santa filled the stockings and left snowy boot prints!

 

 Christmas Morning

Christmas Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's

Delights of December

It's always a very busy month for every family.  

Over the years, we have tried to make sure that the busyness of the season doesn't take over.  

We try to make sure that there are chances to make memories.  

Time to enjoy the delights that come with the season. 

Sitting in our seats at the Glendale Centre Theater for A Christmas Carol.

Evening at a Christmas party.

Gotcha Day lunch celebrating three years with our precious girl.

The Trinity JV and Varsity basketball teams got to play games at the Staples Center this month, too!

It was such a fun afternoon.  Several hundred people gathered to watch the game.  

Sarah was chosen to sing the national anthem before the Girls game.  She also played.  

Our dear friend Christine Roe took great pictures of the event.  

You can see them 

HERE

Sarah had her 3rd annual caroling party.  

These sweet girls are like angels singing through our neighborhood.

(So sad I didn't take pictures.  Nor could I get the video to load.)

Luke 3:4

As is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet:

"A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

Fall In Review

1 Thessalonians 5:18  in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Blessings abound in every season.  

Looking back over the past several months brings back memories of all that the Lord provides.

So many opportunities for thankfulness.

Sarah had a wonderful season of volleyball.  They took second at the final tournament.  

Happy to be carving pumpkins together.

Sweet hobos ready for treating!

More friends ready for the fun.  

Livi is wearing the costume that Grandma made for Sarah twelve years ago.

Christopher as Clark Kent and Sami as a baby!

Doughnut making with Grandma.

The November Birthday Girls celebrating together.

Finally A Cooler Day!

We have had the warmest late summer/early fall that I can remember!  

I hate running the air conditioning.  

When the windows are all closed, I feel a bit like a caged animal.  

But when its 85+ degrees inside 

and one has an air conditioner, its hard not to turn the thing on!

Praising God, today is a lovely day.  Livi is busy playing out on the patio.

And I was inspired to do a little bit of decorating for Autumn.

Connor is busy playing with his new toy!

And now I need to go fold a couple of loads of laundry and start making supper!

Olivia Is Four This Week

Our girl is getting SO big!

She was born during the Beijing Olympics, so the summer Olympics will always be a bittersweet reminder of our girl coming into the world.  

A tragic loss for her first family, but such a sweet blessing to ours.  

She is creative,

 athletic and graceful,

 and very imaginative.  

Happy Birthday Olivia Xing Lynn.  

Your family loves you!

Independence Day 2012

Water balloon toss, egg relay, whipped cream bubble gum blowing.

Fire in the fire pit.

Fire works in the neighbors back yard.

Lots of RED, WHITE, and BLUE!

The June Marathon of Celebrations

Always a slew of things to celebrate in June!

Christopher turned 22!

All together to celebrate.

Father's Day.

Some of the girls.

Christopher and Nate with a photo bomber!

Connor's High School Graduation

Yippee!!  

He is finished.

We did it!!

It wasn't always easy.  

Connor was not always a willing participant. 

But, with all the ups and downs and twists and turns, God is faithful.

He gave us the strength and perseverance to finish what He called us to do. 

Now, its a new chapter for these happy grads.  So excited to see what God will do in their lives.  

With the happy sisters and brother.

With the proud grandparents.

Connor playing drums at the Baccalaureate Service.

In front of the class banner.