Christmas has Come to Ellis Ave

Our living room with our cute Christmas tree.
Silver and White is the theme this year I guess. :)

With my ornaments from Anne-Marie gracing our entry table again this year.

Our first nativity set. :) I was quite excited to get this. We bought it from a speaker that came for our youth conference at our church. He is a saved Jew and works with people from Israel to support orphans - among one of his many ministries... This was carved by a 13-14 yr. old to support himself at the place where he is living. The only thing we realized after we got it and set up a couple days ago, is that we're missing a Joseph! :) It didn't get packed in with the set I guess. Oh well; one of the shepherds is going to be playing Joseph for a few years. :) It's neat to have something from Israel, as well as something that's not elaborate for a nativity set.

A close up of Baby Jesus - amazing workmanship. (and I can draw stick figures!)

Turtles in the process of being made...

Our kitchen. :)

Katelyn and I were coloring together this morning. :)

A stack of presents and giftwrap to be dealt with later on today. :) I'm almost done Christmas shopping, which feels lovely, but almost like I'm cheating. :)

Around the house with Katy

James and Katelyn calling to each other through the Christmas wrapping paper. :)
Playing the piano with vigor.

Now to the other end of the keyboard.

Making icing for cherry bread. I need to work on having Katelyn 'help' me more with cooking and baking. She loves to be around for that kind of thing. :)

While James was out that evening, Katelyn and I set up the Christmas tree. :) It's my first year ever, with an artificial tree, but it's cute and fits so much better in our little house. Dear Heather found it for us, and blessed us with it this year. (thanks Heather!) My stand was an interesting one, since the original stand got misplaced. Katelyn filled me up with branches and loved getting into all the Christmas decor. So we are working on getting the idea of not touching the ornaments around the house.

James putting lights on our 'other' tree. He was so loving to help me finish up with the decorating after his long day and evening. But at the end it looked so cozy, and we just got to enjoy it for a while before bed.

Diane's Birthday Party

Sarah and Nelly put on a special 30th birthday party for Diane a couple weekends ago. Friends from church, work, Brad's family, and a bunch of others came for an evening of food, visiting and a couple games. :)

Lots of food, lots of people

The birthday girl!

Katelyn had fun going between the toy room and the main area with toys and eating. :)

William mangaed the 'pin the tail on the mouse' game... Diane hates mice, so this was to bless her heart. :)

After a bunch of the kids had taken their turn, it was Diane's time to try. :) She got a bit tortured by dear ones holding a shrimp piece or something else gross near her hand as she tried to place the tail on the paper...cute shrieks though. :)

Rachel and I at the end of the evening.

Little Miss Katelyn playing in her bedroom one day....

New York Visit

On Monday, after James' birthday we headed down to Buffalo, NY for a quick afternoon of shopping. James had wanted to do that for his sorta pro-longed birthday celebration. :) It was a busy afternoon, but we got a ton done which feels so good.

Stopping for a feet up moment in the mall. Katelyn loved sharing our bagel and drink. Then she had a banana - all to herself. :)
In Walmart - the cool girl. :) She loved James putting the sunglasses on her.

Two cool dudes. :)

And us two. :) Then it was home and to bed. Now just a few more things, and we're done our shopping...sigh...

Happy Birthday Anne-Marie!!!

I wanted to have this up for Anne-Marie's birthday (November 14th... same as James!) but we didn't get to it until today. :) Nevertheless, Happy Birthday to an amazing sister and wonderful aunty. :) We love you s0o much and thank God how He keeps using you to impact our world for His glory. You're such a radiant woman who keeps giving selflessly for God. We can't wait to see you again.

Here's a smile from Katelyn to extra brighten your day!

I luVe Youu AuNTy AnNie!! lUv, kaTElyN

Love this look...

Birthday Day!!!

November 14th...my man's birthday! It was on a Sunday this year, so it was more low key but still special. :)

Katelyn holding up "her sign" for her daddy.

It started with breakfast in bed...

Then off to church where we had two baptism's! Both of them were saved through the summer's outreach which was really amazing. Both of them are excited to live for the Lord. This is Shantel - giving her testimony.

Patrick - giving his testimony.

Then to the Windmill for a birthday meal. And since Diane and James' birthday are a day apart, they sort of celebrate together. :)

The other table. :)

Me with my favorite birthday guy. :)

Ben helping me sing "Happy Birthday" to James over Pavlova. :)

A lovely picture of James and Diane. So thankful to be related to them both! :) I have been sooo blessed by having a sis like Diane and being challenged by her amazing attitudes and generosity to others. And, being privileged to share life with James is an incredible honor. What a godly man he is - and an awesome daddy to our little girl. God keeps showing His goodness to me...

Annual Winter Banquet

It's already that time of year - the annual banquet our church has to raise funds to send children to camp in the summer. Sarah and Diane have been the chefs, creating an amazing gourmet meal, and then the young people in the church do the serving and cleaning up.

The menu this year was super yummy:

Butter Rolls with Balsimic Vinegar and Olive Oil dipping Sauce

Cream of Celery Soup or French Onion Soup

Spinach Salad drizzled with Pecan Dressing

Dutch Meatballs

Potatoes

String Beans

Chocolate & White Cake Trife with Raspberries and Whipped Cream

One of the tables...
James and I that evening - it was fun to sorta be on a date together. :) Even though I was the only girl at my table. :)

One of the chefs - Sarah darling -so glad to have her home.

Brad and James discussing something around the dessert.

Sarah elaborating the dessert. Then we picked up Katelyn from a friend who watched our little darling and went home to bed...about to celebrate James' birthday the next day. :)

Talking to Grandma

Katelyn finally 'got it'. She talked on the phone to Grandma in Alberta, holding the phone by herself and talking...well repeating words. Mom heard her say "mommy, daddy, baby (that's her best word - that and no) toes, Nina - (Karina) and a few more..." It was rather cute. Her whole pose and 'bigness' - holding the phone like such a big girl.

Growing up....

Another weekend

We had some friends come to our area for a conference, so we had them at the Windmill as our home is just a tad small for too many people. :) It was great to see more of the Strongman's and get to know them more.

William and Katelyn sharing noodles together.
Playing "Match the Penguins" - I know; it seems like we play it often but really, we don't. :) It's just a fast game to learn, doesn't take long to play (a good thing when it's really late when you start a game) and it's fun. :)

At church the next morning with the remainder of the girls that stayed an extra night. We had lots of fun laughing. :)

Later on we took a walk by Apps Mill - trying to get that Thanksgiving hike in that we had been drenched in last time.

Mark climbing way up...

Everyone was sooo tired by the late afternoon, and tried to get a quick nap in before evening service. Katelyn lay down on top of Brad and fell asleep for an hour....two peas in a pod. : )