Christmas 2011 - Catching Up Post - Cookies

We made and baked sugar cookies and always have fun decorating - it does make a mess! I made homemade icing (with powdered meringue) which worked very well (hardened nicely) but did not taste good! I saw one recipe that called for some almond flavoring. What flavoring do you use in sugar cookie icing? I bought one tube of red icing just in case the homemade didn't work, but never again. It was too thick and too hard for AA to use.
We had fun and Santa enjoyed his snack!


I do wish this one was a little clearer:

Happy New Year's Eve!

Merry Belated Christmas! Happy New Year! Favorite Photo and Best Shot!

Happy Friday!
I needed a break from blogging for awhile; after posting many times a week for a few years now, like anything else there are times when life moves so fast that I didn't make the time to write about it (I can't believe we started our first blog over 6.5 years ago!).

We had a wonderful Christmas with AA and the grown kids and the Grands. Our family gathered at Grandparents Cathy & Werner's place for a Christmas Eve dinner and opening of gifts. We now look forward to 2012 and more fun with AA than anyone can imagine!
I will be back to posting next week and look forward to catching up on your blogs; we love seeing your families grow and reading about your adventures!

See you soon!

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Last week in Nashville, our Son-In-Law Jesse, along with his fellow musician Lucio Rubino, who together make up the group Story Side B, performed O' Come, O Come Emmanuel as part of a Christmas Special for the Trinity Broadcast Network on the Praise The Lord program. It will be on again tonight, TBN at 7 pm (EST) so you know where we will be in a few minutes!

Jesse wrote the musical arrangement and played guitar (and a few back up vocals).
Check it out on You Tube:

O' Come Emmanuel

Merry Christmas!

Dylan Turns Two! Best and Favorite Shot Friday

Our youngest granddaughter turns two this week. Happy Birthday Dylan!
I took these photos last week when we visited baby Mila. Dylan was occupied for a few minutes on the floor coloring when she wasn't trying to get into the play action with the two five year olds. My favorite photo is the last one when she looked up at me. She is so easy to photograph. Happy Friday!

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

An Inspiring Christmas..... Christmas Songs

We are so proud of our son-in-law, Jesse Cruce as he is part of a wonderful Christmas album that is recently released. He is credited with song number 20 on the album and composed, arranged, played or sang on four others (4, 7, 13 and 14).

Here's some links to articles about the new Christmas album: at Alpha Omega News, the Jesus Daily, and the 416 Project.
Go to iTunes and download some great Christmas music, enjoy!
Merry Christmas!

Fundraiser for Orphans - Giving

Check out a wonderful give away and fund raiser for orphans which has begun.
Here's some of the information:
The more people who know about it, the more money will be raised for these very special children… and that’s a very good thing! If you’d like to help us in this effort and to keep in the spirit of “giving” this holiday season, read on – there just might be something special in it for you, too!

For a chance to win the item featured that day, all you need to do is leave a comment on that post and then click a button to donate $5 to the organization that we each represent: Lisa for Half The Sky, Diana for Pearl River Outreach and Stefanie for An Orphan’s Wish. Your donation will go directly to the charity featured, and we will be notified of all donations made. For every $5 donation you make, you will be entered to win the item posted.

Daily Dose of AA - Fall Neighborhood Walk

We took a stroll the day before Thanksgiving while waiting for Nana and Grandpa Morgan to arrive. It was a beautiful day and we gathered a few leaves and pine-cones.

Hope everyone had a special Thanksgiving Day yesterday; we are celebrating today with family and friends.

Homestead Trip - Part #3 - Race Photos

We had fun at the last race of the NASCAR season. Here are a few of our pictures to remember the day!
Before the race began, we found former Mainers, Pam and Hubby (now live near St. Louis). My Mom read about their planned trip to the race and so we met at the track!

AA with her "no picture taking now!" sign language!

Rain delay:
Sleepy head rested for about ten minutes:

Carl Edwards was in first place most of the race, except where it counted, the last lap!
Some of these pictures are out of order - Darrel Waltrip was introduced (he's a NASCAR Hall of Famer).... Booggitty, Booggitty, let's go racing!
Carl Edwards getting the points leader flag for this race:
Let's go racing!
Lots more pictures from before the race:
It was very warm out (about 85 degrees) so took off AA's Carl Edwards t-shirt for awhile:

Infield pre-race stage:
Driver introductions:
Speed Channel Trackside show:
Once arriving at the Homestead race track, we saw the huge Ford car dealer displays - so many things to do and some free giveaways:

New headphones to block out the engine noise, so glad we bought them for AA as it was LOUD!!

Had a blast! Now to plan a trip to a different track in 2012!