Neighborhood Christmas Caroling

What a wonderful time together last night! Thank you to Everett, Phyllis, Sierra, Alexandrea and Grace-Hope for inviting us to join you on a Christmas Caroling tour around your neighborhood.

These children truly blessed so many with their voices lifted up in song. They were even told by one woman that it was "such a comfort" to have them come to her door! Another couple was just saying the other night that they were hoping they'd have carolers like they did last year (this same group!). Listeners wanted to know if they were from a certain church or group...they said, "No, we're just friends!"

Along with singing, the children gave out cookies and bags of homemade granola.

It was a little chilly and blustery last night! So when we all returned back to the lovely, warm home, warm apple cider and hot chocolate were waiting. The kids played Dutch Blitz. The mamas and papas chatted.

Tiffani, Karah, Sierra, Sarah

Melissa, Tiffani & Karah












Sierra, Emma, Katie & Emily

Melissa, Yvonne, Caswell, Trevor

Sierra, Emma, Tiffani

Sarah, Karah & Tiffani

Grace-Hope, Emily, Emma, Katie, Alexandrea

Carrie, Sierra, Karah, Tiffani, Sarah, Hannah & Katelyn

Yvonne & Trevor

Shining a Light in the darkness!

Everett & Phyllis

Dutch Blitz!

Everett & Chuck

Michelle, Traci, Phyllis & Lilly

Irene & Sherrill

Candy Cane Lane

Kendel and Tiffani strolling down Candy Cane Lane.

The LEGEND of the Candy Cane

A Candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would help us remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus. It also represented the staff of the "Good Shepherd."

The candymaker then included red stripes. He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life.

The candy became known as a Candy Cane - a decoration seen at Christmas time. The meaning has faded, but still gives joy to children young and old, whom Jesus loves and treasures.

Ahhh...Paris...

Since Tiffani was 4 years old, she wanted to learn the French language and has loved everything French from pastries to the Eiffel Tower. We found this wall art while we were Christmas shopping and she had the perfect space on her wall after we moved her furniture around a couple weekends ago.

Jeff helped her put up the tower and the words. I helped her with the stars. Wiggly-Woo supervised and napped. We also caught him taking a swipe at one of the lower stars...perhaps thinking it was a spider on the wall!

Bible Study, Birthday & Tea

Karah, Hannah, Tiffani & Sierra

Traci, Yvonne & Lyndi

(missing Phyllis!)

Our Mother-Daughter Bible study just happened to fall on the same day as Karah's birthday. So we were all in for a treat when Karah's mom and sister put together this Birthday Tea! We had tea, hummus & crackers, and Pie Bites from Fresh & Easy. Loved the Peach tea! Yum!

Living without faith is like driving in the fog.

~ Elizabeth George*

* Elizabeth George is the author of the study we are using:

The Elizabeth George Young Woman's Collection

(It's great for us "little bit older than young women" too!)

Glasses for Tiffani!

Tiffani loves her new glasses and being able to see! Woo woo!! No "four-eyes" for her ~ they're a Fashion Accessory! She wears them only to see the white board or watch a movie...and look at the stars in the sky...

For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream. ~ Vincent van Gogh

Hymn/Carol Sing & Roasted Marshmallows

Clay, Justin & Andrew


Sarah, Carrie & Tiffani

Sarah & Tiffani

Carrie, Grace-Hope, Sierra & Alexandrea

Tiffani and some of her friends spent a chilly evening around a fire pit roasting marshmallows, drinking hot chocolate, and singing hymns and carols of Christmas.

The parents stayed inside where it was warm! Hee hee!! We could hear their singing though and it was beautiful!