New Look

Does this look different?

In an attempt to make the sound better, Matthew is trying a new set up at church, facing the corner with the screen as the back drop/sound shield. I think it looks great, you could fit in twice as many chairs, and it does seem to help the sound in our square, echo-y building! This is the view from the center door in the foyer.

And the overall view from the back corner. Next week we will also have a new stage! This is during an evening service, which has far fewer people than the morning. (The words on the screen look funny because it was in the process of changing when I snapped the picture) Mischa (McClennan), our new church secretary, also changed the design on the front of the bullitin. It's a little more modern looking. Lots of changes for one day!

The boys...

These are some nice wintery pictures I took of the kids recently. They are all wearing their new sweaters made by Matthew's auntie Pam, who lives in England.

Cuties Brennen and Logan

They have since had much needed haircuts! He's all boy, snot and all!

...and girls

Beautiful Meadow and Ashlen

Meadow sat down on this beaver log and said, "It's been nice gnawing you!" She's so funny!

Deets!

Here's drummer boy Brennen Christmas morning on his "new bue deets" as he calls them! All those drums, and he has to play the wall?

Our house just became a little noisier, but I don't mind when he's actually playing his rhythms. He can't quite reach the bass drum pedal from the stool, but he tries it standing up. We are excited to watch him learn more and improve his skills! We cover them with a sheet and put them to sleep when it's time to be quiet. He tells them good night and even covers them himself sometimes when he's done!

Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas! The kids came upstairs in the morning to find the door to the playroom wrapped like a present. They stopped and stared for a while, not sure what to think of it. Wise old Meadow is saying in this picture (which is an image from a video), "I think it's a door." Finally they peeled back the paper and ran inside to find their main gifts from us! Brennen got a real child sized drum set, Logan a firetruck, and Meadow a mermaid castle for the bath. Meadow and Logan acted very excited, but Brennen casually went up to the drums and started drumming like it was just normal to have a drum set! It was Ashlen's first Christmas. She just got good at crawling a few days before, so she had fun joining in with whatever the big kids were doing.

Meadow was so happy to find this winged horse in her stocking! She had quite a reaction! :) Logan was happy to have a new hat and matching sweater knitted by Matthew's aunt. He loves wearing hats and sweaters! After present opening, the grandparents arrived with their presents. Then we all had a yummy breakfast made by Matthew! Later on they came back for dinner.