Our Christmas Week

We ended up having a week long Christmas because even though Scott was off Christmas Day, no one could come in for that day. But the week started the evening before with the candle light service. The choir did a short cantata for us. It was beautiful!


















And Pastor Bill delivered a wonderful message.























The tree is ready for the invasion!











It's tradition to start Christmas day with reading the original Christmas story out of the book of Luke & wonderful cinnamon rolls for breakfast.
















Andrew placing the baby Jesus in the manger scene.










Opening gifts.

We visited Scott's family later in the day.

It was so special to have his grandma join us this year.
















Scott's mom opening her gift from us.













Dan talking with Grandma Helen.














Enjoying gifts.














My sister Jacque took this picture of me with Grandma Helen.

On our ride home we always ride around looking at lights.

This house has quite a display!

The Tileys Come for a Visit

My sister's family were planning to come the day after Christmas, but they got a snow storm the day before & the roads were still bad so they came that Sunday instead. We had such a good visit, it was good to have them!





Monday was a day of rest.











Tuesday though, was a day of visiting. We headed to Bethel Park to visit Bud & Nancy McElhaney. Their son, Steve was there too. It was great catching up!










They have such a beautiful home!











Later that afternoon, we enjoyed a visit from the Kirsopps. We had such a good time laughing with Kim & Matt & their daughter Jaime. Sorry for the blurred picture.









While we were visiting, the boys had a party going on in the next room. They had all been sledding at Mingo Park earlier. Dan brought Elizabeth with him. She's the one in white on the couch.







Vicki & I snuck out to meet an old friend of hers who just happened to be my dentist's receptionist. None of us knew that we knew each other. Bobbi figured it out on Facebook!










After things quieted down a bit, Brianna challenged me to a game of Connect 4. She won every time.










The evening before, my Dad & his wife, Ginnie, came to join us for a few days. We enjoyed breakfast together.












Scott took Dad & Ginnie, Vicki & the gals in to Pittsburgh to see the Christmas displays.

























They headed to the Waterfront shops & stopped in to Starbucks to warm up.









Vicki making Vanilla steamers for our evening.














Later that evening we again had Christmas.
















Opening gifts. My sister Jacque joined us.






















Bethany & Brianna opening their gift from us.















Later, Brianna decided to dance with Andrew. I don't think he knew what to do.













Our attic dormer. We gave the Tileys the whole floor.

Dave & Carissa's New Years' visit

This was the year Dave & Carissa visited her side of the family for Christmas, but we got them for New Years weekend, and we got to celebrate Christmas once more.







There is always time for lovin'!











The pile of gifts kept growing as the afternoon went on. When Scott woke up...














It was time to open those gifts!















Even Parker got a treat!




























The boys made out...

































... and so did we!

Dave got shirts for law school.

Getting ready to leave.

Their time here was too short, but hopefully we'll see them again soon!

Rescue The Perishing
Billy Foote, Fanny Jane Crosby


Verse 1:
Rescue the perishing
Care for the dying
Snatch them in pity
From sin and the grave
Weep o'er the erring one
Lift up the fallen
Tell them of Jesus
The mighty to save


Chorus:
Rescue the perishing
Care for the dying
Jesus is merciful
Jesus will save
Church open your eyes once more
And see what Christ died for
Jesus is merciful
Jesus will save


Verse 2:
Down in the human heart
Crushed by the temptor
Feelings lie buried
That grace can restore
Touched by a loving heart
Wakened by kindness
Chords that are broken
Will vibrate once more


Bridge:
As we're playing our songs
While we're singing them well
Have we forgotten the lost
The reality of hell
If we say we love God
Wanna see His will done
Will we offer our lives
Or just the songs we have sung
Do we even care
When will we care

Latest Development

Over the Christmas holiday, Dan had a talk with the pastor that took them to Costa Rica. During the conversation, he asked if he could date his daughter. And Pastor Victor Cruz said yes. Elizabeth is a beautiful young lady & lives in Tulsa, Ok. What is it about my kids & long distance relationships? We love her & her family! This is them at PPG Plaza on the ice skating rink.

Here they are on Mt. Washington over looking Pittsburgh.Here they are with the some of the kids from the youth group at the rink.

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NCC Youth Banquet

The Friday before Christmas, our church usually has the youth banquet. It's a formal affair, but the kids have such fun dressing up for it! Here they are with their friend Brandon just before heading out.

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