Happy 19th Ariana

FEMININE

FUN

FUNNY

(Especially when it's least expected!)

(They're supposed to be posing for a serious pic.)

To explain the thought behind this picture:

She is the gossip queen on her way to tell all!!

(In real life, your gossip is safe with Airs, really! :)

"We'll just be "stuck up" snobs for the rest of the evening,

thank you."

Always loved animals

and always will.

(She doesn't hesitate on butchering one and eating it, either.)

(I don't mean the dog.)

What makes you so hilarious, Airs, is that you're so serious

when you do things like this!

It's been such a pleasure having you in the family, Ariana.

You bring such joy, that's why we nicknamed you Precious Heart

when you were just a baby.

The Lord knew momma needed another organizer in the house,

and He chose you and ONLY YOU (unfortunately)!!

You've always been such a "lady", but not afraid to get dirty

and work hard. We are blessed by you, Ariana, and hope

your birthday brings you as much joy as you bring to us.

We love you,

Daddy, Momma, Gabriel, Lem, Twich, Tom, JD, Mays (your twin) and James

What's for Dinner??

I've got dinner taken care of tonight.

All the cooks have to do is butcher it and cook it!!

We thought instead of showing all the butchering "graphics" this time,
we'd just show the cousin.

Liv figured since we were already butchering,
we might as well do it all at once, so we included
Simon and Theodore in the process.
This will be an ongoing task for the next 6 or 7 hours.

Painful preparation, Christiana?

"Course not, Dear Watson. "

Theodore

(He sure ate good.)

The grinding and cutting table.

Notice the fire.

It was in the mid 20's this day, which is perfect weather for butchering,

but it's hard on the frozen hands.

There's usually more help at the cutting table,

but since we we're butchering 3 animals at once,

the other help (Liv and Ariana), is outside with the skinning and quartering.

Time to season the sausage.

It's sure a good feeling when you butcher your own meat

and know it's not filled with who knows what.

Time to warm our insides and thaw out a bit

with some Mocha Java, mmm mmm good!!

The Seasoning Sisters.

"I always love this job, this way I can make it as HOT as I want to."

;)

Mary, doin a little decorating.

Of course, the words are from, none other than, Liv.

Momma likes the "clean" job, ha ha.

("I just do what they tell me.")

A little taste testing to find the perfect recipe.

It changes every time!!

Some like it spicy HOT.

Some like Italian Spice.

Some like it a little on the sweet side.

Some like more of a mild taste, (but not many).

In any case, it sure makes a good ole southern breakfast (or dinner),

any day of the week :)

Hope you enjoyed.

Happy 14th Birthday Thomas

What a blessing you have been to us all!!

Thomas and Thomas (Pappa).

(Special times that we will cherish, forever.)

Happy Boy and Blessed Daddy.

Always had a close relationship with Mr. Lego and all of his kin.
:)

The dreaded "sunscreen"!!

Tom, aka: "Captain Atlantic".
Since he was a baby, Thomas loved the waves in the Atlantic,

even when they took him under and slammed him back down on

the sand. He'd just catch his breath, wipe his face and head back out.

Some of Tom's favorites:

Red

Western Music

Basketball

Quiet places

A good book (in a quiet place) :)

Soothing Music

Pizza

Nice fire on a cold day

Investigating

Judges (Book of the Bible)

Figuring out how things work

Science

Things we love about you:

Your sense of humor!!

Sensitivity to others.

Willingness to help.

Your love for singing.

Your Hugs and Smiles.

We remember the day you were born and your struggle

to breath as your lungs started hemorrhaging. As you were in

the hospital helicopter on the way to Tampa and your heart

stopped beating and your body shut down, our almighty

Saviour, who is the one who gives breath and takes it, allowed you

to stay with us.

We knew then that you were an extra special gift from Him to us

and you are indeed just that.

We love you and are so thankful for you, Thomas!!

As the Lord continues to guide your life,

may you forever rest in Him and seek His face.

Winter Joy ~Part 2~

It has been in the 20's many days this winter, so far,

which is rare for us.

Since the fireplace is our only source of heat,

we keep it going and going and going,

which requires loads and loads and loads of wood,

which keeps us very, very, very busy,

to keep us cozy, cozy, cozy warm :)

Pollination

Winter pea picking.

Actually picking dry peas for seeds for next summer.

Have I mentioned we have "mouse" in the house?

(Cat's not doing his job!)

;)

Our oldest son Hamesh, finally came back home.

We've missed him.

Lots of winter birthdays, which means, lots of winter parties :)

Enjoying that cozy, cozy fire from the loads and loads of wood.

(Notice the warm dress "inside" the house. Our inside temps.

are the same as the outside temp., unless you're sitting by the fire.)

The Twinsies.

After drinking java mixed with Cappuccino Fudge Blitz Ice cream,

dark chocolate and whipped cream!!

YUM

(Mary wanted me to say that in this pic, she thought

everyone said do "silly" faces, but after it was all over,

she was the only one doing it.)

Wonderful Music.

Wonderful Dinner.

Served by Wonderful Servers.

(Y'all did a superb job.)

------------------------

Time for some fun on the ice.

"Ice skating is the bomb."

James is lovin it, too.

Mom's caption: "Warm up time."

Liv's caption: "Tough guys rule."

Christiana's caption: "Blaze of glory."

Working on Christmas presents.

We wish you a Merry Christmas,...........

We wish you a Merry Christmas,..........

And a Happy New Year.

Treats for the hoarse carolers.

(Thank you Uncle Tom.)

"Our we done yet?"

Well, looky, looky, what do we have here?

What every little girl wants. (At least in this house.)

Another weapon!!

(A pink Daisy)

Momma's scrapbook gift to Christiana.

(That's "C" on the cover.)

Gabriel's surprise for Liv.

Oh, yeah!!!

Who won this challenge?

After an hour and 1/2, Chrisch reigns victorious.

Contemplation :)

Cousins

Go Gators

The traditional shooting tournament.

First things first.

No outdoor sports activity is played with shoes ON.

May the Lord Bless and Keep you in 2011.

O Lord our Lord,

how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Psalms 8:1