december re~cap...

2011...already!
i know, i know....it's been a while since i've been able to find the time to blog ;(
BUT, december has been a very busy month!
let's see.....
there were dani's vb games & the all day tourny in vaughn(just north of t.o.)


she's #4

the kids were finished school the 21st & that night we had the otten family 'sinter klaas'....

the kids are so pumped & have a grand time together...

they play games in the gym...

so much fun!  

                                

                                 

they pick names amongst themselves & give their gifts....

                                   



 jordyn enjoying new baby cousin adam...

we also celebrate wayne's 40th b~day!!



then.....

dec 24...

our tradition on christmas eve has been to have 'gourmet' for supper & then do our family gift exchange!!

oh, the delicious concoctions that everyone creates for their supper is just fabulous!!

they made chiken alfredo...
shrimp scampi...
asian meatballs w/ rice...
bacon & eggs...
& that's just the beginning!

 they got some books, jewelry, pj's and some games for the wii....
                                  

@ school, jordyn made a gift for the best dad!

the next day...

dec 25

what a beautiful morning....snow on the ground & it's the hubs 40th birthday too!!!

~yes, he was the christmas baby in 1970....even made it in the news paper :)!

after a great breakfast of freshly made quiche.....

mmmm, yum!

this breakfast all the kids love~it's tradition on christmas morning ;)

and wayne opened his birthday presents....

we were blessed to once again hear the beautiful christmas message of our dear saviour's birth....what an amazing gift above all others, none can compare to the sacrifice that was offered for unworthy sinners as us! how great our love is for Him for giving His one & only Son.

i will never tire of hearing the christmas story.

then on sunday....

dec 26 

my dad was preaching in the vinland church so they came for lunch....

while grampa had a snooze, jordyn entertained sylvia with some 'illusions' & slight of hand tricks(~ a  kit she bought with her dad @ giant tiger)

 syl tried to make mika disappear...kidding, she likes our pooch.

boxing day

dec 26...

we head up to brantford to my dad & sylvia's home for the schouls gift exchange.sam makes sure his sis doesn't get too cozy with her 'friend' ;)!!

 jordyn tries to pull a fast one on uncle bill....

we were once again blessed with an abundance of food which makes me keenly aware of sooo many people in our world...the third world as well as right here in canada, that go hungry on a daily basis.

" we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream in abundance or in need"...(from nichole nordeman's song gratitude)

because of His goodness to us daily, in trials & in times of blessing let us echo what paul says in phil 4: 11 ~13

'....for i have learned in whatever situation i am to be content....i have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. i can do all things through Him who strengthens me.'(esv)

i am so thankful to our great God from whom all blessings flow....He has once again sustained & blessed us/our family this year.

we have a roof over our heads,  our loved ones, our church community, & we can go to God with our needs & cares.

i don't make 'new year's resolutions', but.....

this year i would like my responses to be more God glorifying in everything....

my prayer for you is that you all have a blessed new year.....give God the honour & glory He is due!!