November 23, 2011
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Fall-ish Activities
As usual, our NC weather has proven to be predictably UNpredictable. A few weeks ago, our nights were 30 degrees and our days were under 60 degrees. This past week, the nights have been in the 50s and the days in the mid-to high-70s!! Is it fall, spring, winter?? We’re thankful for the sunny weather we’ve had, though! And the 60s-70s is really a nice temperature…..but we’re ready to wear our boots, scarves, coats, etc.!
We’ve been super busy this season. Lots going on! There have been field trips, a camping trip, pumpkin painting, tea parties, outside playing, orchestra/ensemble concerts, dentist appointments, and fun gatherings. And this does not include the usual school, work, music, etc. that goes on every day. With three people working, three other people in college and highschool, and two little girls in 3rd grade and kindergarten, it’s pretty crazy. But we still manage to see each other (almost always) every day.
Below are pictures that have been taken the past two months in between all the birthdays. Can’t believe December is upon us!!
Jen’s pumpkin
Perfect pumpkin-painting and playing-outside weather!!! Missy and Marianna love our neighbor’s little dog.
Tea parties are a regular occurence in our house. Marianna usually hosts them and even sometimes writes out the menu for her and Missy. They dress themselves up, do their own hair, and set up their little table. It’s soooo cute!
Allll ready for the tea party with her sister!
There have been quite a few concerts in the past couple months. Jen’s UNCC string ensemble performed the pieces they had been working on since the beginning of the semester, Jen and Bethany participated in a cello master class, and Jen’s ensemble played for the school’s drama performance.
Master class
Dr. Frisch is an excellent cello instructor whom Jennifer and Bethany highly respect and have done well under.
Music, music, music!!
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Jennifer and Bethany have shared the Gospel with several people at UNCC this semester. They are not ashamed of their beliefs and love sharing the Gospel and challenging people. They both wanted to host an evangelism gathering for people who were also passionate (or wanting to be!) about sharing the Gospel. We’ve had two such gatherings so far with people from UNCC and CPCC, and both have been fantastic!! We are going through a series by Ray Comfort. He is absolutely amazing and gives out challenges left and right. We watch one of his videos and then discuss it, go to the Word, and pray together. It is a time of being challenged, asking questions, and encouraging one another. The first video we watched was “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist” and the second one was “Hell’s Best-Kept Secret.” We are excited about the next gathering!
By the way…….if you haven’t watched Ray Comfort’s 180 video, YOU MUST WATCH IT!!!!! Just turn off the music at the top right corner of this page and then click on the video. It’s worth every minute (all 33 of them) of your time.
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Dentist time!! The girls were excited about this “field trip” and came back with fun “goodies.”
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Our church had their annual camp-out at the beginning of November at a state park not too far from us. It was COLD that weekend!! 30s at night and 50s (with lots of wind) during the day. I loved it.
The kids rode their bikes, played on the playground, walked the trail, played an organized race game, and had loads of fun. Some people went all-out!! Check out the moon-bounce!!
Missy’s special eating chair
and one of the gorgeous views from the trail. 
L O V E this picture…and those little girls.
One of the people we shared the campground with went *all out* with their decorations. Hilarious!!
Fun times!
We had an organized dinner on one of the nights for everyone. Everyone loves Walking Tacos!
The older kids had a race, too. One of the activities was decorating a cake. We all ate the cakes for dessert.
Sunday morning, we had an organized breakfast of eggs, pancakes, sausage, and cider and coffee. Dad was in charge of the eggs, his specialty.
Some friends joined us one morning.
This little boy is so special to me. He’s been my friend since I held him in the hospital when he was first born nine years ago. He was giving me a
hairbuzz cut.
Bet you wouldn’t want to find one of THESE in your backyard!
How many people does it take to fold a tent?
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We and some other families took a drive to an apple farm. We’ve been going there since I was really little, and nothing has changed! Same man dressed up as Johnny Appleseed. Same maize…except it was apple bushes instead of sunflowers. Same book. Same scarecrow stuffing. Same hay ride. Same pumpkin/apple picking. Same donut and cider tasting.
Brought back so many memories!!
Reading the Johnny Appleseed story.
These little piglets were sooooooooooooo adorable!!! Look at this one trying to sleep.
Hay ride!
The guys decided to try jumping over the hay bales. Missy got a huge kick out of it.
lol!
Missy’s turn!
Our gang
Hope you all have/had a wonderful Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for, even if you’re going through a hard time and need to really think about what to be thankful for. What I am most thankful for is my Savior who died on the cross for my sins. Can’t beat someone taking my punishment so I can go to Heaven! That was the ultimate example of love, and this salvation is available to ANYONE who recognizes their need for a Savior and accepts Christ’s free gift of salvation and allows Him to be Lord of their life.
Happy Thanksgiving and weekend!!
