Quiet End to 2006

The last few days have been very quiet. I have had a nasty head cold and have been laying very low. Thankfully, Brian has been home and doing the lion's share of the childcare.

Yesterday we took a library run. It has been a couple weeks since we have been. There were four young people manning the library yesterday and they were quiet shocked to see our stack of books. I really gave them a jolt when I told them this was about half the usual amount as we were on school break. I guess most people go in and get their 2-3 books instead of 20-30 that are common for us.

Brian and I did some puttering outside. It had started to snow and we wanted to get the camper covered. We also put up the new birdfeeder that Bri and the kids got me for Christmas. It is a nice big one with three tubes. We put it right in front of the window by the computer. You can see it from the kitchen too! Brian did a thorough run through of the chicken coop, adding new straw and setting up the heater for their water. He also brought over several loads of wood and stacked some outside the door.

The Littles were very tired, so they went to bed early. I thought they would fuss, but they were out like a light in no time.

Brian took Bessie and the Littles to Sunday school and church this morning. Gabe and I stayed home. I wasn't feeling up to doing church and Gabe said he had to stay home to keep me company! It was really nice spending time alone with him.

The weather was sunny, clear and cold today, so I booted the youngers outside after lunch. The kids had a great time. There was still some snow left on the ground for the quick snow squall we had yesterday. Brian went out to do his chores and build a fire to burn some stuff he had stashed out back. The kids always enjoy the fire. I went out for awhile to get some fresh air, but then headed back in for a little quiet while everyone was outside.

Brian burns some boxes

I poured over homeschool catalogs trying to decide what I needed to round off our studies for the next few months. I'm still trying to sort through what I think Rachel needs. We tried Spelling to Write and Read and I'm sure it is a wonderful program, but I think I'm too lazy to make it work. It is quite teacher intensive. I'm also looking for math material to teach Gabe math without him knowing it! Always a challenge.

Brian made pancakes for dinner. The Littles have gone to bed. Brian and Gabe are playing Super Hero Guess Who and Bessie is typing on the laptop. Another year is coming to a close! No special plans for us this year.

Happy New Year Everyone!

The Moffats

by Eleanor Estes

We finished this book tonight. This is such a wonderful book about a time gone by, about Janey, Joe, Sylvie and Rufus, Madame and Catherine the cat and their everyday adventures at the Yellow House on New Dollar Street.

It has been great fun reading stories to Gabe that we had read to Bessie, like visiting old friends. I look forward to reading them again in a few years when the Littles are ready for chapter books.

Gabe really liked this one and looked forward to a new chapter everynight to find out what was going to happen next. There are several other books about the Moffats including The Middle Moffat, Rufus M and The Moffat Museum.

Brian's day in the woods

Brian headed out this morning for a day of hiking with Dad and Uncle Larry. Dad was in search of "Deck's camp, a friend of his from many years ago. Dad used to hunt deer with Deck out of his camp. The camp had been burned down quite a few years ago.

It was a beautiful day...clean, bright blue sky, cool temps to make for good hiking. The area they were hiking was higher in elevation. There was some snow on the ground and ice on the trees.

Ice on the tree tops

The terrain is not easy. After you leave the wood road, there are no trails, except those made my animals. There were lots and lots of animal tracks in the new snow....moose, deer, bear, rabbit, coyote and more. Brian said the snow was littered with tracks.

Dad bushwhacking through the woods

After several hours of hiking, they found the clearing where the old camp used to stand. The state burned the camp down as it had been built on state land. I guess they have cracked down on all the camps that have been built over the years on state property.

Dad and Brian standing in the clearing

where the camp once stood

There next quest was a very small camp that was always called Armstrong's camp. It was a very small camp with barely enough room for one, but a place for a hunter to get out of the weather, get warm, cook a meal and sleep. After a lot of searching, they finally spotted it. Dad was so happy to have found it and find it still intact. Not much has changed except it is slowly sinking into the ground as the bottom logs rot out. It was built in the 1920s. Dad took GPS coordinates so he can easily find it again.

Uncle Larry and Dad in front of Armstrong's camp

Overall, the day was a huge success. Great hiking, super company and they were able to accomplish their goal of finding the two camps. Brian was just in amazement at the stamina of Dad and Uncle Larry. Dad just celebrated his 71st birthday and Uncle Larry is a few years older. They started hiking at 10am this morning and except for a few brief stops to rest and eat their sandwiches, they hiked until 6pm. Dad figured they went about 8 miles.

By the time they were heading out, it had gotten dark. Bri said the moon was bright and the woods were beautiful. He had a great day.

Wednesday the 27th

Yesterday was a good day.

Once in a while (we've done it twice I think) Brian, Bessie, Gabe and I will take a few hours to spend together without the Littles. These times have been a good way to reconnect for the four of us.

The kids had gotten money for Christmas, so they wanted to go to the mall. My parents watched the Littles for us and we headed out. We had lunch at the food court and went to several stores.

Gabe bought two Star Wars action figures and a ship. Bessie bought earrings, a charm for her Italian charm bracelet and a skirt. I picked up a few charms for my bracelet.

It was very enjoyable to spend time just chatting and talking about stuff...nothing and everything.

We visitied with Mom and Dad for a while when we got back. It was Dad's birthday.

We had a light dinner and a quiet evening.

One more Ornament

My brother and sister-in-law gave us this very cute ornament this year. It is made of wood and has all our names on the stockings. I just love it.

Nativity Sets

Bessie, Gabe and I headed out to the gift shop this morning to take advantage of their 25% off sale. She still had the Willow Tree Nativity set. I was thrilled. I don't have a lot of nativities, but I like them and everyone few years will pick one up. Most of them are kid friendly and it was nice to buy one just for me.

Willow Tree set

One of my favorite sets is this little one that Brian's sister gave us several years ago. It is made of wooden pieces...spools, balls and dowels.

All is Quiet

The house is quiet now. Everyone has gone to bed...except for me.

After the kids were all in bed, Brian and I sat in the family room enjoying the woodstove with the doors open. The crackling of the fire and the sound of the rain on the roof are such musical sounds to me and ones that I love. It was peaceful and calm.

I am so thankful that God pushes us out of our comfort zone and continues to push us. I think of the five children sleeping upstairs and marvel at how they all ended up as our children. So many lives were needed to bring these children from far away places to our home. It is almost more miraculous than their actual births.

Yes, I am thankful that God sees our need for growth even when we would like life to be nice and "normal", comfortable and easy. This Christmas has reminded me how many blessings God can give when you listen and try to obey. We have been blessed beyond what we could imagine.

Christmas Afternoon

After a terrific morning, we packed up food and presents and headed over to Mom and Dad's. Glenn and his family and Dave and his family were also going there for dinner. There were eight adults and 11 kids ages 3-15. What a fun time.

We ate as soon as everyone arrived. Yum...lots of good food...ham, potatoes, Sandi's broccoli casserole, cole slaw, a veggie platter, pickle tray and rolls. For dessert we had apple pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate pie and cheese cake.

After dinner, we retired to the living room for presents. The kids had a great time opening their gifts from the cousins. In our family we draw names for all the cousins and this year, the boys bought for the boys and the girls for the girls. What wonderful ideas everyone had. Mom and dad got some great things too, from bird seed to maple syrup.

Dad played his guitar (sorry, no picture) for the kids. He has a special device that holds his harmonica for him while he plays his guitar. I have never been able to play the harmonica, let alone while playing another instrument.

Mom serenades us on the piano

Dad loves Christmas almost as much as the kids

Bessie loves her new shirts

Abbie (my niece) opens a gift

Dan checks out his new Thomas train

Gabe and Zeb are only three months apart in age and never fail to have a great time when they get together. Dispite the fact that is was cold and wet today, they even managed to get outside a couple of times to run around and play.

We got back home around 6:30pm. The Littles wanted a snack and then we let them play for a bit before sending them off to bed. Bri, Bess, Gabe and I tried out some new games. Gabe got a Super Hero Guess Who game. We tried Ruckus, which we all enjoyed. We opened the Apples to Apples game, but didn't play and Bessie checked out Blokus. Can't wait to try these games.

Gabe and I read some Moffats. Bessie took the portable DVD player and went to bed with a new movie. It was a most excellent day.

Christmas Morning

We had a great morning. I was not too sure about how it was all going to go, but we were so pleasantly surprised.

The Littles always want to eat right away, so we took the time to give them their breakfast. Thankfully, Bessie and Gabe were patient enough to wait. I popped the ingredients into the bread machine for rolls. Brian brewed his coffee and Bessie and I had tea.

They all did so nicely opening their presents. Everyone enjoyed what they received and had fun watching while others opened their presents. I can not express how nice it was...things were calm and relaxed. We laughed and cried and made some great memories of our 1st Christmas together with the Littles.

And the stockings were hung...well not exactly

What a face!

Big brother helping out

Bess always loves new computer games. This year she got a couple Nancy Drew games and Zoo Tycoon.

What Gabe was hoping for

Dan just loved his Fisher Price Noah's Ark. It didn't take him long before he realized that the FP nativity people fit with the ark. Mary and the angel soon joined Noah on his ark.

Christmas Eve

We had a really good day today. We went to Sunday school and church. Hannah and Dan had their classes together and they had a birthday party for Jesus. Of course, for them, the cake was the highlight. Rachel, Hannah and Dan got gifts from their teachers. Bessie and Gabe stay in the adult class.

We had a light lunch and a quiet afternoon. We wrapped up the last few gifts. The kids watched a video. I took a short nap, which was heavenly.

Brian was the chef today and made a wonderful roast beef dinner. The menu included the beef, mashed pototoes with gravy, turnip, peas & carrots and pull apart rolls. We served off the table, family style, something we haven't been doing since the new kids came. It was really a wonderful meal.

Dig in!

The candlelight Christmas Eve service was at 6pm. The outside of the church was lit by luminaries. It was so pretty. The service is always so nice....just scripture and song. The pastor gives a very brief message and then the candlelighting. What a beautiful sight to have everyone in the church holding a candle held high from the oldest to the youngest.

We had hot cocoa when we got home and read Amahl and the Night Visitors. This has become a family Christmas favorite. Dan and Hannah were very tired and couldn't make it through the whole reading, so Bri took them up to bed.

I made the pie and Brian made Gabe a few little apple tarts just in case there isn't any good dessert for him tomorrow. He is sort of picky and we also have to watch the preservative thing.

I read some Moffats to Gabe.

The house is all quiet...the stockings are lined up, the gifts are set out. Life is so good, we are so very blessed. Merry Christmas!

And Yet More Shopping

Okay, this is getting silly! Today I went armed with a very detailed list and my chauffeur and retinue. We headed for the mall...I know, I know, what was I thinking. It actually wasn't bad at all. We brought the walkie-talkies. Brian dropped me at the curb of the closest extrance to the store I needed. He drove way out to the nether reaches of the parking lot and waited for my call. I ran in, got what I needed...at a greatly reduced rate, I might add and then "breaker, breaker good buddy"...he was back at the curb and picked me up! Worked like a charm.

The traffic wasn't great, but we went in and out of stores like mad. Our stops included, the US Post Office, Linens & Things, All for a Dollar, Claires, McDonalds (had to feed my troops), Rite Aid, a cute gift place and the grocery store.

The gift place is a wonderful little store that sells all kinds of interesting treasures...including Willow Tree figurines. I was really eyeing the Nativity set. She told me that everything was going on sale on the 26th...including the Willow Tree items. I'm going back bright and early on Tuesday to see if I can get that set. If it is still there, it will be 25% off! She did not have the Wise Men set, she was all sold out, but said she was ordering more. We'll see how it goes.

We got home late afternoon. Bessie helped the Littles wrap the presents they picked out at the dollar store yesterday. They have such a hard time understanding that the gifts aren't for them. Hannah wanted to keep putting "from Hannah, to Hannah on the tags"! They are so funny. It ought to be very interesting on Monday when we start opening the presents.

The kids wrap presents

They then played a game of "Pretty, Pretty, Princess", a favorite with the girls. Gabe and Brian changed their part to "Fierce, Fierce, Pirate". They wear all the jewels on one ear or hanging off their head...pretty funny. Poor Dan, he has a terrible time when the bigger kids play games. He wants to join in so badly, but just doesn't cooperate very well. He usually ends up storming off and hanging out with me.

Dan hangs out with Momma

Brian made us a wonderful dinner of teriyaki chicken, chicken rice and broccoli...yum! He even did the clean up.

I had the kids decorate white gift bags for their Sunday School teachers. They will hand those out tomorrow. I put together the gift bag for my secret sister and another one for a tea-time friend from church.

The kids decorate gift bags for their SS teachers

After the Littles went to bed, Bri and I started in on the wrapping. We were able to get just about everything wrapped. I am so excited to be going into Christmas Eve with the shopping done, the wrapping done and very little cooking or baking to do.

More Shopping

It seems like everyday now until Christmas, I will run out to pick up a few more things I forgot. I always say I am done with Christmas shopping on Christmas.

Yesterday afternoon, Brian came home a few hours early. Bessie, Gabe and I went out to shop for him. He is tough one to buy for, but we found a few things we knew he would like. When we got home, Brian had cleaned like mad. He is so sweet. He knows I hate going into the holiday with the house in a terrible mess. He pretty much did the whole downstairs. He was just finishing the vacuuming when we walked in.

I had choir lastnight. We went over a few songs we are doing for Sunday morning service and the Candlelight Christmas Eve service.

Today, Brian was home quite early. I guess there were very few people at work and those there we let out early. He made a few stops on his way, but was home by noon.

After lunch we all headed out again. I had a pretty good list of the last minute things that I needed to get. Brian took all the kids to the dollar store to have each of them buy for the other family members. Bessie helped him tag-team the Littles while I finished up with my stuff. He said Rachel sort of got the idea that she was buying for others, but wanted to pick anything shiney and glittery...even for the boys! Hannah and Dan are still totally clueless and got quite upset when they discovered the things they had picked out weren't for them. My mom always gives the kids money for Christmas, so I think I'll take them back to the dollar store after Christmas and let them pick out a few trinkets for themselves.

I did some wrapping after dinner and discovered that yes...I had forgotten a few things. I'll be going out again tomorrow!

I am not doing much baking this year, so that has lightened up the stress considerably. I am hoping to have everything done tomorrow, so we can have a nice quiet day on Sunday. I even mentioned going caching, but it was not well received by anyone except Bess...maybe we'll go out alone!

Shopping Day

Yesterday, Brian and I dropped the kids off at my parents house and we went out for a day of shopping. This does not usually happen. We had a wonderful day. It was so fun doing it together and we have decided to try and make this an annual event.

We got a lion's share of the shopping done and had time to go out to lunch. We laughed and joked around in the stores. It is so funny to listen to other people talking. Most people really think that no one else is listening, especially with cell phones. People will jabber away to someone on the phone thinking no one else can hear them. Pretty funny!

Gabe and Dan enjoy the snow

We went back to mom and dad's and we stayed for dinner. Two of my nephews are up visiting from Ohio. It was so good to see them and the kids had a great time playing with their older cousins.

Adam, Christopher and Dad

There was a little bit of snow at their house, so the kids had a great time playing outside for a while. The Littles get cold very quickly.

Chris and Gabe

The kids got to open one present that Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom had sent. My sister had made them cinch sacks. Not really sure if that is what they are called. They are a backpack made out of cloth that cinches with cord. The cord is also used as the shoulder straps. They all came out perfect...great colors and she made a smaller one for Dan that is very cute. I'll have to try and get a photo later of the bags.

The kids getting read to open their gifts

Everyone had a great day!

First Tooth!

Wednesday night, Hannah lost her first tooth. She was very, very reluctant to snag that little baby out, so mom had to intervene. I was afraid she was going to lose it while she slept. It was just hanging there! After the fact, she seemed fine.

Decorating the Tree

We had a lot of starts and stops with our Christmas tree this year.

With Brian being away, we were very late getting the tree.

When we finally got it, brought it in the house and set it up, we had several other obligations keeping us from decorating it.

Yesterday afternoon we were finally all ready to start. We took out the lights and they wouldn't work! Okay, we didn't have time to go anywhere on Sunday because of the Cantata at church.

Brian had the morning off today as he is doing several night flights this week. He, Bessie and Gabe went out Christmas shopping this morning and picked up some more lights. We were finally ready to go.

The whole process was quite funny this year. The Littles could hardly contain themselves. We kept some type of order and everyone was able to help. Gabe hung the star his year. It as his first year doing this job and he was so excited!

The bare tree

Brian and Gabe work on the lights

Gabe hangs the star

Everyone pitches in with the ornaments

The whole family with our finished tree

It won't make "house beautiful", but we love
our very family friendly tree

Christmas Cantata

Tonight was our Christmas Cantata at church. It was called "Jesus, There's Something About That Name"...a great collection of tradition and more contemporary music.

We had a dress rehearsal yesterday and while the singing was technically okay, it just didn't have much heart to it. We were all concerned that with the busyness of the season, several people being ill and just overall tiredness, that we weren't going to inspire very many people with our performance.

It only took the first few notes to tell we had all gotten the spirit tonight. The music was great. You could just feel the energy. I didn't have any solos this time, but did have a narrators part. The director knows I love to talk! Use your gifts...right?

Singing unto the Lord

(I'm front row, far right.)

Secret Sister

At our church we have a ladies program called Secret Prayer Sisters. You are matched up with another lady at church and you are to pray for her and at least once a month you give some type of gift or card. It is all done in secret. Someone else gets your name.

You fill out a questionaire, which will help them know your likes and dislikes. They have a special table set up where you can leave your gifts and cards and if you are sneaky enough, no one will see who puts down what packge. It has been so fun and such a blessing to me to participate the last three years.

Today I received a wonderful Christmas gift from my sister. There was a lovely white teapot and a set of very pretty floral teacups. Lots of yummy goodies and a tea assortment rounded out the package.

My Secret Prayer Sister gifts

The pretty teacups

Getting the tree

We finally were all together today and had time to go pick out our Christmas tree. We do a fresh cut every year at a tree farm in a nearby town. This is always a fun time. The Littles (at least Rachel) were quite excited about the whole thing.

It seemed so strange this year as the weather has been very warm. Usually we are bundled up and trudging through the snow. The Littles still wanted hats and were cold...Gabe didn't even want his coat!

This is the one!

Cutting down the tree
Hauling the tree to the van
Gabe helps Brian secure the tree to the top of the van

After getting the tree home, we cleaned up the living room and made a spot for the tree. Bri secured it in the stand and brought it in. We will let it set for tonight so the branches can relax. Tomorrow after church we'll decorate it.

Brian and I set up some more lights outside and put a couple of wreaths on the fronts windows. The place looks a lot more festive.