A little too close

We arrived home from the fair to discover this had happened at Mama and Daddy's house while we were gone.  Whew!  That came a little too close for comfort!  Thankfully, it missed the house and all is well.

And I still love seeing this - their new bedroom they finished a couple years ago.  

Mama and Daddy's patio

Mama and Daddy added a patio to the front of their new bedroom.  They can walk right out the french doors of their bedroom to the patio, and even walk over to the front porch of the house.  It really is nice.  Dear Geoff H. does wonderful work!

Christmas Eve

We awoke on Christmas Eve morning to a couple inches of freshly fallen snow.  It was a beautiful sight.  Even more beautiful when Jonathan offered to drive us all to church in his truck.  :)

The last Sunday in Advent.  I think the church is absolutely lovely this time of year.  And I always think about our wedding day in this very church, during Advent, when the church was decorated just as beautifully.  It definitely brings back lots of good memories.

Advent banner still up this morning.

After church we gathered at Mama and Daddy's for lunch.  So glad to have a little time with these two.  They would be heading out of town immediately after Christmas Eve candlelight services.

Jackson and Brianna

pretty poinsettia Brianna brought to Grandma Sue

By the time we got home that afternoon, the sky had come out brilliant blue.  What a beautiful day!!

  

Jonathan took Susanna and Brianna out to the barn to meet Piper. 

Mama and Daddy's beautiful front yard

View of the first snowfall from their new room.  

Before long it was time to head back to church for Christmas Eve candlelight service.  One of my favorite services of the entire year.

new banner up tonight

Daddy took this photo from the pew behind...
we filled the pew in front of him and Mama.

Family photo after church
Marvin, Laura, Jonathan, Brianna, Jackson, Mama, Daddy, Kerry, Hannah, Candace, Susanna

Then it was back to Mama and Daddy's house for dinner and a Christmas Eve puzzle.

Catching up

One of the problems with being gone most of the month of August is that we get behind on everything.  We come home to acres that need to be mowed, mail that needs to be answered, errands that need to be run, and all of life's everyday things.  This is when I have to really make myself sit down and determine to catch up our online family scrapbook.  It seems overwhelming, but as the 'modern day family historian/documentarian' I can't quite convince myself to just chuck the whole thing.  So, here is my first post in what will be my long attempt to catch up.  :)

Although July was busy with family reunions and visits and traveling, I was able to enjoy some quiet time with friends.

Enjoying lunch with Karen at Take Root Cafe

my pretty latte at Sweet Expressions with Shonda

We had a brief scare with Governor.  He started to colic.  If you know about horses you know that is a very bad thing.  Marvin got right on it and walked Governor for hours to keep him up.  Our dear friend and neighbor, Doc Hill, came over to bring some medicine to help Governor.  Eventually, it was a matter of waiting it out - to see if Governor would be okay.  Thankfully, he came through this event.  Big sigh of relief.  But, we do realize that our horses are getting older and there will be more problems.  That does make me sad.

Mama and Daddy got the 'family tree' framed and hung in their new bedroom.  I love it!!  And it looks just perfect.