


I love Mrs. Pearl's face here.....



Saying goodbye....

Like I said, it was a really special day!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (KJV)
The other day, I had a very special chance to watch my two little brothers, Timothy and Joshua play together! I had set Timothy in our little baby swing and was pushing him when, his big brother Joshua ran over and informed me he could do it, thank you. He pushed Timothy and it was so cute as the laughed together.
As always there's a story behind it....
Ryan announced one day that he would like to buy a Velbon 7000 video tripod but, having no money it seemed a little impossible! Well, he received birthday money which he saved and soon he was on the computer, ordering the "amazing tripod."
The computer had told Ryan he would receive it New Year's Day (or somewhere in that week)! he was excited and waited for it anxiously but, it didn't come. No truck or package ever came. It was a long time later* that a UPS truck finally showed up. However, it was parked across the street and the UPS man jumping out of the car held a small square package. (too small.) The UPS man soon disappeared behind one of the houses across the street. We had all seen the truck pull up and were in the front yard shouting and smiling but now it seemed silly and we all slowly started back for the house. (I had even grabbed my camera.) All of a sudden, I heard Daniel shout. I whirled around and saw the UPS man crossing the street with a long rectangular package! Ryan was beaming.....
Soon, Ryan had a little audience, as we were all seated around him,watching.
He opened it...... and this picture speaks for itself....
Although he's had it only two days, he been enjoying and loves it!
King Saul, (Justin Orman-a leader) and the king's men (Kyle and Andrew Stevens-leaders).
Have a great week and remember to rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.(KJV)
Philipians 4:4
And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. (KJV)
Deuteronomy 12:12
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
Opening his present...His presents: a hat, a belt and two guns, and a "Deputy Sheriff" badge...
Later, I had a chance to shoot some portraits....
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (KJV)
Joshua 1:8
Our family also went to a concert for some friends of ours. This concert was a mix, half was our friends the Patterson's band, and the other half was our friends the Ouatu's and Iorga's string group. We really enjoyed visiting and listening to most of the music!
Our friend: Janice Iorga, red sweater, playing the violin in the string group.
Another friend: Johnny Ouatu, white shirt and glasses, playing the violin in the string group.
Exciting news came to us on December 16th: our Aunt Lillian had her baby! So off we went to visit our new cousin Samantha Jane Chrispens. We were very happy and it was a blessing to see and hold her!
Samantha Jane Chrispens
December 19th we headed out to Aunt Diane's house for an early Christmas celebration! We had Gondola Pizza for dinner, watched a few classic movies and opened presents. We received a fun game and a puzzle of one of my aunt's pictures! We had a very enjoyable time, as my aunt who is a photographer, let me try out her very nice digital Nikon SLR camera!
We gave Oma and Aunt Diane both some special gifts from the Dutch store.
Me (Ashley), enjoying my aunt's camera, it was so much fun!
Isaiah and Uncle Kevin watching the "Swiss Family Robinson."
The day before (Christmas Eve), Opa came to visit and spent the night! We enjoyed a delicious dinner of Mama's homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes and bread( made with Mama's new mill and Bosch.) The bread didn't rise properly so, it was short and thick, but still delicious!
The next morning, we opened our stockings. The boys got some neat walkie-talkies, I received a piano solo CD and Katie got a new watch. Mama also got a walkie-talkie to communicate with the guys and Opa got a carousel picture frame with a picture of each of us in it, and a few others. Joshua's gift was the best: a new pair of cowboy boots!
Mama thought it would be fun to go to the "Back Bay" and let the boys try out their walkie-talkies, so we did! It was pretty cold so I stayed in the car and listened to my CD. The others went and had a good time but we all took a group picture together!
Afterwards we went to Bolsa, tired some different foods, said goodbye to Opa and headed home.
Christmas Day we went to the Christmas service at church and then we went to spend Christmas day with our Unlce Dan and Aunt Rocio in their new home! We enjoyed another delicious meal, this time it was: enchiladas, taco salad, fresh beans and sauce, tostadas and guacamole and Posole, which is a Mexican soup.
We visited with our family and opened presents. The two little boys, Natey and Joshua got a box of cookies, Daddy got some LED lights, Caytlin got a painting set, Isaiah, Daniel got robots and Ryan, Mama and I got a puzzle. We also got a pumpkin bread mix and a gift card.
Rachel, Uncle Victor's second born, and Natey.
Uncle Victor, holding Emily his youngest, Rachel, sitting next to her daddy, Katie holding
Timothy.
Friends and sisters: Aunt Adriana and Mama
Aunt 'Drana and the two babies: Timothy and Emily
My cousin Christina and I putting together a puzzle
After the presents we got to play Uncle Dan's "Wii" again. That was fun, and even funnier was watching the people play it with your back turned away from the screen.
We had a really good time, and soon it was time to head home. So we packed up and left. Thank the Lord for such a nice Christmas!
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (KJV)
Isaiah 9:6
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV)
Romans 8:28