Finishing out 2009!

Before 2010 gets too far underway, here is a quick review of what happened during the last few weeks of 2009.

Event 1- The Cooked Poinsettias

Oops! We didn't mean to put them on the heater! :)

Event 2- Shop building

While everyone was able to join in and lend a helping hand, we began constructing the shop from the building we had recently taken down. It went quickly, for as the saying goes- "Many hands make light work."

Event 3- Christmas Goodies

Of course our Christmas wouldn't be complete without the baking aspect! :) From our kitchen wafted a wonderful blend of aromas as we cooked and baked and added to the festive Christmas atmosphere.

Event 4- Christmas Eve Festivities

Food, fun, and homemade presents made up our family's evening. Our cheeseball snowman was a delight to look upon, but even better to eat. Yummy!

Event 5- Christmas Morning

We all awoke, excited that we were able to spend a fun day together as family. Ryan arrived early, and Trey chatted with Clair on the phone as we opened presents and enjoyed one another's company.

Event 6- Christmas in Ohio

We spent a wonderful weekend with both sides of the family as our Christmas festivities continued.

Trey and Clair

Joel and Jennifer

We were able to meet Evelyn Grace for the first time.

What a bundle of joy! Merry Christmas to you all! And we hope that you have a blessed 2010!

DCC Christmas Caroling

The Dale Christian church gathered to spread the Good News through song to the community of Dale and McLeansboro.

Ryan and Clair were able to make it too, which made Amanda and Trey quite happy!

Trey wore his traditional pointy Santa hat.

We had to have some fun and see if we could all fit in the back seat!

. . . "Away in a Manger". . . . . "Joy to the World". . . . . "O Come, All Ye Faithful". . . . .

After eating a good supper at Mimmo's Pizza, we all headed our separate ways to await next year's round of caroling.

Singin' with the Cuz'!

We were able to join the Cuz' once again this Christmas for a fun afternoon filled with singing and story telling on WMCL 1060 AM. Clair was visiting and able to participate in the fun. She shared her rendition of "Mary Did You Know" with the show's audience.

It was good getting caught up with "Aunt Edna" and "Cuzin' Eddie." A big thanks to station and the entire WMCL 1060AM family.

The Way of Lights

We decided one evening to visit The Way of Lights in Belleville, Illinois. We were even able to ride camels!

There was a petting zoo with many exotic animals for us to feed and enjoy.

We were able to drive through over 1 1/2 miles of breathtaking light displays and over 1 million lights which all focused on the birth of Christ.

We were even able to stop and watch the fun laser light show.

It was an evening to remember!

DCC Christmas Program

Our Christmas program at DCC turned out quite well. We had shepherds and angels, prophets and kings, stars and daughters of Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph and Eve.

Nothing like shepherds playing music for your song service!

Our candlelight service followed the program and Herb presented a devotion on being the light of the world.

It was an evening enjoyed by young and old alike!