The Things That Life is Made of...

January has been a month of a small world for most of our family.  Small in that it has revolved mostly in one room around one topic. 
The room: The Office. 
The topic: Liberty Day. 

Thankfully, I think the "must be done by end of January" things are now done.  So, you all can run over to http://www.libertyday.net/ and check out the new look over there (thanks to Kathryn), as well as all the new information for 2010 (that's what we've been working on).  Once you are done oohing, and aahing over all the exciting plans for 2010, you will want to click right on over and submit your registration online!  Then, there's only one more thing to do.  Invite all your friends to come, too!  There are files you can print off and hand out, or you can just direct people right to the website, too.  If you are on Facebook, you can rsvp there as well and invite your Facebook friends.  See how easy and fun all this technological stuff is - once it is all figured out put together and updated?? :-)

But on to other things...

To say that all of January was spent in the office on Liberty Day would be mostly true, but not entirely.  There have been, of course, plenty of other things going on.  Schoolwork, church and family stuff, mostly.   Family stuff, does, of course, include grandkids - like the little girl pictured above eating oranges from Grandma M. in Florida!

Joseph has started EMT training this month.  The class goes through May, I think.  So far he has taken two tests, and has passed them both just fine.

Dad has been superintending the work of repainting most of our main level.  Joseph and Joanna have both participated some in that as well, but the rest of us have just been trying to avoid getting paint all over us. 

In light of the new paint, it was discovered that our living room also needed new curtains.  So Mom has now finished sewing those and the room has a whole new look now.

Joanna and Josiah are both busy preparing for a competition coming up on February 20. Jessica is the piano accompanist for Josiah this year and is finding one of his pieces enough to push her beyond the heights of her former level of piano expertise (which was, admittedly, limited). With only three weeks left, there is lots of practice is going on around here to polish every aspect of their pieces!

And that's about it - for now... you just never know what a day may bring!

Wrapping up 2009!

Before 2010 gets too far under way, here's a quick review of the last couple of weeks of 2009!

Event 1:
Church Christmas Party - 12/20/09

In the afternoon of Sunday, December 20, our church families got together for a time of remembrance and celebration of Christ's birth. We read scriptures, sang hymns, and rejoiced together!

Event 2:
Do-It-Yourself Messiah - 12/21/09

Despite many changes and other day-of challenges, a group of us did make it downtown for the annual Do-It-Yourself Messiah! As an add-on to the already special evening, us "Older Siblings" snuck in dinner at Giordano's ahead of time! Nothing like preparing to sing by filling up on pizza! But sing we did - and take pictures we didn't. So you'll have to hop over to the Yen's Blog if you want those.

Back at home 6 happy grandkids spent the evening, night, and next morning with their grandparents!

Event 3:
Christmas Day - 12/25/09

Despite snow storms, ice, airport delays, etc. Jonathan did make it home for Christmas! His flight ended up arriving only one hour passed the scheduled time and we were SO glad to get him back home! He was also excited to meet his newest nephew for the first time!

And, we got to enjoy dinner once again as a complete family! The most treasured gift all season!
The evening was spent in a very relaxed manner, looking over gifts, projects, etc.
Caroline played almost every Christmas carol in her book for us!

And we spent time - just chillin'... and enjoying being family.

...or tackling Grandpa...


And "just because," I'm including this picture from the morning after Christmas. We have NEVER seen foxes around our house in the 11+ years we've lived here. Lots of other wildlife, but never foxes. Until the week following Christmas. Almost every morning there were two of them playing in our yard. And then they disappeared again and we haven't seen them since. Anyhow, here's a picture of one of them standing just outside our living room windows as the Great Snowstorm of December 26 started to blow in!

Event 4:
Sledding - 12/30/09

As the year drew to a close and the snow deepened, and as Jonathan was home on vacation and that is a good excuse to get together with friends (as if one was needed), and as other details just lined up right, several of us spent an afternoon sledding with a group of friends from church. Some classic spills, fun rides, and lots of laughter were experienced and observed! :-)

Event 5:
Bella's First Birthday - 12/31/09

What can I say? This adorable sweetheart is a whole year old!! She really enjoyed her cake...

Event 6:
Returning to Normal Life

Ahhh.... the ongoing quest for "normal life"! Sadly, right now "normal" includes the fact that Jonathan is back in Idaho. But on the home front, we are getting back in the swing of school, music lessons and all those other great responsibilities that claim our attention!
Praising the Lord for 2009, and looking forward to what He has in store for us in 2010!

Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful time together with extended family on New Year's Day...

From our family to yours - God bless your year!