Sweet Six

With the self designed cake.

Opening gifts.

Opening her eyes to her bike.

It fits!

Although it's hard to believe Lydia is already six! We celebrated with a day at the Fond du Lac Children's Museum. Hands on exploring is always fun. We also spent some time working on her cake. Lydia drew a picture of what she wanted ("flowers that are the kind I draw and a Christmas tree on top") and we worked with her design. She was very pleased with it. She was THRILLED to receive a big bike and even had the chance to take it for a test drive the next day.

  Happy Sixth Birthday Lydia. You add so much spunk and spice to our family. We love you so very much and are so pleased God gave us you as our dear daughter.

Christmas Morning

Happy Hikers~all three guys got hiking backpacks and Lydia too can travel in style.

Hans trying to figure out paddle ball

Rock out man!

A joyful Lydia

Little Levi

Marveling at the newness of this little person

Awed by his tiny fingers and features

Arms full of boys and heart full of love

Baptized into the family of God. Congratulations Michael & Tammy.

Live Nativity

Nathan, Evan, and Hans as shepherds at Martin Luther's Live Nativity

Shepherds in the fields nearby keeping watch over their sheep at night.

Love the little sheep

Our church tried something new this December, we put on a Live Nativity. Church's property is nearly perfect for such a event as the parking lot is the length of our property with the main entrance on a busy city street and a back exit onto the block behind in the rear. Attendees were greeted by Roman centurions taking a census, passed a crowded inn and were urged on by the inn keeper and his wife, heard the angel announcing to shepherds in the fields, listened to choirs of angels singing, saw infant Jesus with his parents in a lowly stable, and were wished a Merry Christmas by members of our church. The whole drive was lit with luminaries and there were seven banners with the words of Luke 2 to tell the true Christmas story. Our monetary budget was tiny but the volunteer hours were many between building, painting, sewing, and setting up the entire event. It was so much fun to be part of this and to see it's success. In the three hours over 600 people drove through making our first try a huge success! The plan is to do it all over again next year.