In a One Horse [dog] Open Sleigh [sled]

Davy knows exactly what to do with a sled!
Maybe its not a good idea for him to pull the string.

Let's attach him to his leash to pull us down the icy road.

Until he stops! He eventually would go with Raymond walking next to him. So. Much. Fun.

Posing in the snow...

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful!

Having a dog means it needs to go out at some point. And a blizzard is not fun weather to go out in. My dad was cool to do it the first time. Out they go, but quickly he changes his mind!

Then it was my turn. There is a lot more snow now and he loves it!

He especially loved eating it.


So pathetic!

Christmas Day

Christmas morning!

We all got one big gift so to help make it more exciting, my mom made a puzzle out of it.

Do you notice Davy's stocking? My mom made it to match ours. So cute!

Aunt Jamie checking out the stocking loot!

Santa did good!

Feasting on wrapping paper.

He was so excited...he couldn't wait!

He loved his bone. By that night he had eaten through the middle.

I love Skype! We got to talk with both of Raymond's sisters...and Jamie across living room!

It's tradition to decorate sugar cookies every year. And each year we start out together but I always end up finishing by myself!

Some of our cookies.

Julie heart Raymond

Phase 10 ...I won!

Christmas Eve

Due to the winter weather, Christmas Eve was very laid back. No Christmas Eve services, no grandparents coming to eat appetizers and no husband (see previous post) made for a very different day. But we enjoyed hanging out and staying warm!

Jamie brought us some precious aprons from Africa made by women who were victims of human trafficing and exploitation. After their rescue they take a sewing workshop and literacy and life skills course. They then use their skills to make products where the profits are used for the program they are a part of. I love the bright colors and different patterns!

Walking in a Winter WonderBLIZZARD!

Literally...at least for Raymond. It took him 4 and 1/2 hours to get home from work on Christmas Eve. Three miles from my parents home he didn't get stuck, but there were so many other stuck and stranded cars he couldn't get through. So my dad and I left to go pick him up about a block from where he was. Due to stuck cars everywhere the closest we could get to him was still a mile and a half away. After one last attempt to squeeze through, the last resort for Raymond was to walk to us. So we sat (actually I sat...my father was a good Samaritan and helped all the craziness around us) for about 30 minutes waiting for Raymond to walk/run to us. Finally he made it but then we still had to get back home. An hour and a 1/2 from when we left, we returned home at 9:40 (having only gone a mile and a half) to begin our Christmas Eve celebration...well not really. Raymond ate and we all went to bed exhausted.

What a adventure. My dad said that it was the worst he's even seen the roads in Oklahoma. I could not believe how many cars were stranded along the road and I also couldn't believe how many cars were actually out...and stuck. Oh how I wish I had my camera to document.

Merry Christmas!

from our crazy family to yours!

We are wishing you a blessed Christmas as you remember the birth of our Savior!

This was the best we could do when trying to get a picture for a Christmas card...hence you did not receive one this year. Here's hoping for next year!

Welcome Home Jamie!

We were ready to meet her when she came toward baggage claim. And we waited...and waited... Ray goes to check to make sure we didn't miss her...and we had. She's laughing at us in the white as we walk towards her with our sign!

Had to call Dad to say what happened!
Good thing Ray was there to help! :)

Davy's Gifts

How cute are my parents? When they came for dinner, they brought Davy a bag of treats with a card!

and some more...

Happy Birthday Davy!

Today our sweet puppy turns 1!

He is an 80 pound bundle of energy that is sweet and ornery all at the same time!


Every time he hears the garage door open he races to greet whoever comes home.
He is super smart and completely stubborn. He loves to chew everything, but his favorites are slippers and fuzzy/thick socks with an occasional cord but settles for rawhide bones. He's great at playing catch, but then turns the game into chase as he doesn't want to give anything back.


Our favorite thing is that he loves to be close to us, following us from room to room...even between us when we hug! :)




He is very protective of us and our home and we are working on being friendly to other people...I think he's shy.

For his birthday he is getting a new chew toy (hopefully it will last longer than a day) and some treats. He grandparents even are coming over to celebrate. Conveniently to pick us up on their way to pick up Jamie but he doesn't need to know that!


He is one loved puppy!

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

I was so excited when my mother let me bring to our house this advent calendar. My mom originally used it with her kindergarten class before I was born and then later used it with Jamie and me letting us take turns hanging the ornaments.
These aren't the ornaments that we used but are some that she got for me from Germany that are very similar.
Raymond and I have loved hanging the ornaments each day.

But my most favorite thing this advent season is a new tradition that Raymond and I have started together. I remember as a child our family would have an advent wreath with the candles. (Actually my only memory is catching my hair on fire.) I really wanted to be more intentional with my focus during this season. So I googled and found a fabulous advent devotional. Each evening (with a few exceptions!) we have sat together, lit the advent candles, and read scripture. We are also going through a book entitled O Come Emmanuel.


What a special time it has been for us as we celebrate Christ's first coming and look forward to His next. His coming has provided us with hope that we have a God that is with us, Emmanuel!

While researching advent I came across an article I thought to be very encouraging, especially "An Advent Reflection."

Christmas Lights

We decided to take a short trip to see the lights in Midwest City. It wasn't super elaborate but a fun 45 minute drive through all of the displays. My favorite part was the section of lights they had to match Christmas music playing on the radio. I had not ever seen one as elaborate as this! Davy got to come with us and he loved sticking his head out the window to take it all in.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I love the transformation our house takes during this time of year! Thank goodness Raymond jumps on the chance to get on our roof and put up our lights.

Poor Davy wanted to help too!
I think Christmas lights should stay up all year. They are just happy to look at!

As much as I love putting out pumpkins in the fall, I am thankful for changes in season. I'm definitely ready to put them away to get ready for Christmas.

Half of these tubs are sweet teacher gifts...I think I should have a garage sale with the Christmas stuff I don't use. Its like Christmas going through it all because there are things I forget about!
Joy to the world and to those who grace our front porch. After Christmas I'll take the letters off and just have a the plain wreath for the rest of the winter. I had so much fun being crafty covering the letters with pretty paper that you can't see.

Our tiny little living room is full of Christmas things all over. (I need a bigger house just to decorate for Christmas!) I have some neat things that my parents brought us from Germany when my dad would travel there.

Someday I'll write a post over this mantle which I love how it has transformed our dining room. But I love even more having something else to decorate!

Our dining room table.

I love our tree. It is simple and full of all kinds of ornaments --some that match and some don't. I love being sentimental as I look at them all!

As a child my sister and I would get an ornament each year to add to the tree and Raymond and I have continued that same tradition for us for our own tree. This year we have an ornament to remember our fabulous trip to Chicago.

This is the first year that I have presents wrapped and under the tree all done before Christmas Eve! Even Davy is super excited about his humongous bone!