Meet Some More of the Family

We went down to Portland on New Year's Day so that we could visit with Dustin's family. After spending a few hours with Grandma and Grandpa, we all headed over to Aunt Kerry Jo's for a great big feast. Let me tell you, these guys know how to make some grubbin' food!!! I had to keep reminding myself of my desire to lose weight this as I looked at the bountiful buffet before me. I was going to start my diet that day, but how could I say no to Aunt Nancy's chocolate covered Ritz and peanut-butter? Mmmm, they just melt in your mouth.

Last Thanksgiving was the last time we had seen everyone. Cohen and Melody were just babies last year but this time they were running around the house with the other children. Sweet, little Audrey is the newest addition. What a doll!!! She was passed from relative to relative and when I finally got a turn I didn't want to give her up.

It was so good to see everyone again and catch up on all the happenings of 2008. Hopefully we will see them more than just once in 2009.

Great Grandpa & Grandma Renfro

The kids adore Dustin's grandma and grandpa...their "great" grandparents. We don't get to see them as often as we would like to with them living in Portland. When we do go, the kids have a blast and grandma & grandpa spoil them rotten.

We headed to Portland on New Years Day for a family get together and we went a few hours early so that we spend some time at the grandparents house. Grandpa smiled as he told the kids his "rock" story. Back when Dustin was a little boy, his dad and grandpa took him up to Mt. Hood to do some fishing when they found the cantelope looking rock. Grandpa thinks that it is a thunder egg, full of crystal, but has never cracked it open to find out. I suppose it's because he doesn't want to be disappointed if it's just a common rock. David is frustrated by the whole thing and keeps asking why grandpa doesn't just find out what's inside it. Dustin has assured him that someday he hopes to inherit "the rock" and they will crack it open together.

The girls played with grandma's vintage Barbies. They were so awesome, I loved all the old clothes and shoes. Normally, Grace doesn't usually play with dolls anymore, but you couldn't resist getting your hands on these beauties.

We were all surprised to see that they had 3 little chiahuahua puppies down the hall in the spare room. Perfect, one for each of them to hold.

We love grandma and grandpa so much and are looking forward to our next visit, which will hopefully not be too far in the future.

The Christmas Play 2008

After several years of high production Christmas play's we did a tradional little play this year. It was so refreshing, enjoyable and stress-free. It was all about a man who was so caught up in the commercial side of Christmas that he forgot what Christmas was really all about. The kids did a good job, and the little ones were adorable.

New Year's Eve In Church

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been in church on New Year's Eve. What better way is there to bring in the new year, than with all my friends and family at BBC. The service usually consists of a big pot-luck dinner, special music, skits, testimonies of how God had blessed the previous year, and ending with the Lord's Supper. This year the children and teens did their Christmas program as well since it was snowed out last week. It was such a memorable night.

The Sheep

A couple of our Bible College students, home for the holidays.

Lindsey and Sarah

John & Joy (he was being a GOOF!)

Mom and Dad's skit had the whole congregation laughing. I wish I had recorded it to share with you.

Hopie's solo in the Christmas play

Originally David was asked to sing this song for our church Christmas program. He didn't really want to do it but said he would if I bought him a video game. As he practiced, Hope would sing along. He has an amazing voice, but his heart wasn't in it. Eventually he said he didn't want to do it because it sounded like a little girl song. Hope immediately volunteered. I plugged in the soundtrack and let her try it. As she sang the song that I had heard over and over again, it finally moved me to tears. She may not be perfectly on key or have David's talent for singing, but she sang it from her heart and that made all the difference.

Alice's 2008 Awards

LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD (longest friend)? that would be JOY. I've known her her whole life and most of mine.
NEWCOMER AWARD - COOLEST NEWEST FRIEND? Lindsey (and her hubby Dan and baby Jacob too)
HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR? getting past the past
LOW POINT​ OF THE YEAR?​​ last Christmas and New Years were tough for me
BEST HOLIDAY? 4th of July at Lake Cushman with Dustins side of the family. I loved it there. (see my post "Lake Cushman" posted in August)
YOUR SONG FOR 2008? "Under His Wings" has got me through a lot of gloomy days
MOVIE FOR 2008? "Mama Mia"
WHO WAS YOUR BEST KISS? Dustin
WHO DID YOU SPEND VALENTINES WITH? Dustin and the kids
WHAT DID YOU DO ON HALLO​WEEN? we had talent night at church that night and I was a chick from the 30's in one song and a hippie from the 70's in another. Good times.
RESTA​URANT OF THE YEAR? Gandhi's Indian
BEST DECISION MADE THIS YEAR? to get in touch with old friends again
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR? grow in Christ, go to China with Dustin, another trip to Texas, lose weight
TV SHOW OF THE YEAR? I still like American Idol but I missed a lot of it this time around
MOST LOYAL FRIEND OF 2008? Joy
BIGGEST CHANGE OF THE YEAR? having the Armstrongs move in down the street. I love our new friends so much!
BIGGEST JERK AWARD? hmm, well, that's not a very nice question. (even though I can think of a couple)
NEW YEAR RESOLUTION? diet and exercise
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT for 2008? Disneyland with Dustin and the kids