Ringin' in the New Year

As I write, 2011 is quickly expiring and 2012 is just around the corner - a little over 2 hours and it will be here. I feel a great sense of anticipation for the coming year.  Already many exciting possibilities are on the horizon. But more than anything else, I feel that this past year has brought me closer to my Father than ever before.  And I know this coming year will see me know Him more than I do now. That's the most exciting of all!

For this last post of 2011, I have to include this picture of my sister in her little sheep costume.  She was a sheep in our church Christmas Play (3 weeks ago) and she did so well!

And one more picture of Boots.  My sister Megan took this one....... Just. Too. Adorable.

More Christmas Pictures

What a nice week this has been.  Nothing to do but work a few hours at the office each day and then relax around the house. (Lots of Rook games going on around here!)  It's also given me an opportunity to work on my website.  I am really pleased with how it's coming along - pretty soon I'll be able to publish it.  So, in the meantime, here are a few more Christmas pictures to enjoy:

Our brand new cameras!

I was admiring my littles sister's camera key chain (it has a flash and makes the camera shutter noise - so cute!) on Christmas Eve, then lo and behold, I open one a little later on.  My mother does know me well :) 

And this one is just too hilarious:

What are we doing here?  Clones?  Spock?  Darth Vader?  Have the parents gone crazy?

Christmas Surprise

Christmas this year was exciting - especially for the younger children in the family.  Christmas Eve began as it always does - with a short Candlelight Service at 5:30.  Once over, three friends came home with us to have dinner.  With everything decorated and great company, we had a festive time!

This sparkling juice bottle & candle were just asking to be photographed



A cute sentiment


After our company went home, we began our tradition of opening stockings, and some smaller gifts.  However, with our large family that can make for quite a piece of time and a lot of trash!  Afterwards, the little ones were "banished" to the bedroom so we could prepare the big surprise.  I'll let the pictures do the talking....

What is in this Hatbox?

Something's moving....

A Puppy!!!

And as you can see from the pictures, the puppy was as much a hit with the older members of the family as it was with the younger ones.  Amelia was so excited when they opened that box, she could hardly breathe. She kept saying "Oh, oh, oh!"  When she could speak, she said "Mom, you finally decided to let us have a puppy!"  Ah, it was a very fun evening indeed!
Next day, we had an early service at church, then came home for a big dinner, more opening of presents and then games, naps, movies, and playing with the puppy, whom we named "Boots".  My sis Megan took the camera and got some absolutely adorable shots of Amelia and the newest addition.

Taking Boots for a ride

And the night ended with a few more pictures in front of the tree with Boots..

From years gone by....

Maybe it's the Christmas season, maybe it's something else, but I'm feeling somewhat nostalgic.  I opened my checkbook today and let out a sigh.... not because of the balance, but because of the tiny little face staring back at me:

My tiny sister Amelia - 5 years ago

 Now, I know this is not a very clear picture - I was still using a film camera then, so this is a scanned copy of the wallet in my checkbook (which is beginning to look quite tattered!).  But, you get the idea.....  I can't believe she's so big now.  I remember doing this photo session, she was only a few days old.  So precious.
Well, since I was on the "old photos" kick, I drug out another and scanned it in as well.  Once again, quality not the best, but it works.  She was a little older in this one and already enjoying the fun of dressing up. (She still loves to dress up ..... mostly as a ballerina, have someone turn on "dance music" and round up someone to dance with her!)  The joy of a little girl in the house.....

Benefit Concert

This past week has been so crazy with singing engagements .... and thus the reason I haven't been able to post!  We sang our Annual Benefit Concert on Monday night.  Everything went really well and it was a great evening all around.  I had lined up some of my former students to take pictures for us and they did an excellent job!  Thanks so much to Hogan, Hannah, Hope & Becky - we love the pictures!  All the ones below are their handiwork except for the family picture which I set up and had a friend push the button once I was in place.
     We were able to raise over $1100.00 for three different charity groups.  We supported two local ministries: Forgotten Ministries and ARK.  Then we also raised money for Gospel for Asia Widows & Ophans Fund.  We were very pleased - thanks to everyone who came out and helped support these ministries. 

This sign greeted us as we entered the building on the first floor

We began the program with a Handchime piece entitled "A Merry Christmas"

The four sisters - we sang "Lo, How A Rose"

The littlest gets help reaching the mic for her solo part....

..... then sings all by herself later

Another sisters number

We always have such fun singing together

The Family - December 2011

A Model In Colorado

Some time back I was in Colorado attending a photography workshop. (Check out IPS, they offer great courses!)  For our assignment one afternoon we went on a Photo Shoot.  My model was Elise - very beautiful girl, inside and out.  She was wonderful to work with & we were able to get some great shots in Old Colorado City - including Pike's Peak in the background....



Love the red shoes!



Such beautiful eyes

In front of Pikes Peak

This was my favorite from the whole shoot - just what I wanted!