The Two Worlds of Jennie!

Fine China and pacifiers! She is a wonder at mixing the two.

Reading with Grandma!

One of my very favorite things in life--the joy of learning to read. They both are doing great, too.

Together in Rockford!

Here are some shots taken yesterday. We had a wonderful day. It was great to see Bob's new church building and see lots of people we know there, too. Then we came home for a wonderful meal à la Jennie. In the evening, we celebrated Christmas together. You have to guess who is taller--Brenda or Elise--since the tops of their heads are not there!

....and more snapshots

Snapshots of Stefan

Stefan Comes Home!

Stefan left the hospital with us at about 10:30 A.M. on Saturday to make his journey to 20 Kendal Green. We are all glad to be out of the hospital and back home.

Day 2!

Don't you all just wish you could hold him? He is a sweetie!

The two new Mommies with their new babies!

For Brenda :-)

How's this,Brenda? The first shampooing!

some more of little Stefan

Stefan Campbell Hanson is Here!

At 11:20 this morning, Johanna gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He was alert and ready to be loved from the first minute. 4 hours and 40 minutes from start to finish. More to follow but just to get a first picture out to you all. God is so good.

Christmas in SC

Christmas Eve we invited ourselves over to Uncle Steve and Aunt Donna's for supper--the 5 of us just didn't make it seem like Christmas. It was lots of fun and extra special because Jess and Kevin are home from Siberia with their 5 kiddos. The 6 girl cousins even sang for us. Lots of Christmas memories in that house. We had so much fun that....

when they invited us the next morning to come for Christmas dinner, we did! We had stockings, cinnamon rolls and presents at Jo and Brian's before heading over to 604. It was a wonderful day for all. Don't forget to notice what the Hanson's got for Christmas--but we are still waiting for someone to rock!

Our Drury Christmas

Just a few pics from our Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma Drury on Saturday.

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?

Then come to Minne-snow-dah! We'd love to have you!

A Bixby Christmas

We celebrated Christmas last night, complete with games and a program (expertly planned and executed by Mom Bixby, of course). What fun! We all had a blast.

FOR JENNIE!

ENJOY!

Just Readin', Auntie Donna!

I was working on downloading all the pictures Brenda sent me for the calendar (Thank you, Brenda), when the phone rang, so I went to answer. The kids were "chillin" in the hallway--having moved the couch on their own and set up their own "reading hall". I HAD to get pics! Hmmm...will my house ever be the same again?!! :-) I'm lovin' it!!!

Guess Who is in America?

It is wonderful to all be on the same side of the ocean! This morning we enjoyed a family brunch before separating to our different tasks. Wish you northerners could be here.

All I want for Christmas is....

My two front teeth!!

I hate to say it but I have been so behind in blogging that I forgot to blog about our dear girl loosing her teeth!! Or maybe it was that the same week she would loose a tooth, her brother would find his and that is always more traumatizing for the whole family!! But sad to say the first tooth lost has no pictures to scrapbook because the silly goose pulled it out by herself during her nap time!!! The second tooth she allowed me to pull for her last Saturday night. She is quite proud of her loses! Course the generous tooth fairy doesn't hurt either!

You all will have to come and visit to see Corban's two teeth - I can't seem to get a picture!

The End of an Era

We have officially moved out of 7 Hampshire Drive. Strange. The little Christmas tree was the one Brian and Jo honeymooned with last year, and then were gracious enough to allow us to use this year during our big transition. Now even it has been taken down and packed away. We're learning to be pilgrims. We're also very grateful for kind sisters who host siblings who are learning to be pilgrims. ;-) If you're looking for us, we're at Donna's.

Happy 1st Anniversary, Brian and Jo!

It is hard to believe that one whole year has passed! Congratulations! Who knows, just maybe you will have another "little" reason to celebrate this day! We love you both.

Happy Anniversary, Dan and Brenda!

Looks like you are still singing after 14 years! Congratulations! We love you and are praying that this will be a very special year for you.

Uncle Dan comes to South Carolina!

Last week Daniel came to SC on business....it worked out great as I (Mom) had just arrived from France the day before. We were all super glad to see each other. No one knew, however, that Dan's business included playing Santa! Thanks Brenda and company for pile of gifts. Wish you all could have been here but we will see you soon.

Micaiah's children's choir debut

Not exactly the Vienna Choir Boys, but it's a start. There are several things to watch. Notice Micaiah on the high note ("a-FFORD") and then the smiles on the adults listening from behind.
It was fun watching Micaiah develop in his musical understanding. When we started practicing a couple months ago, he basically knew high and low and didn't spend much time trying to figure out anything in between. But he has really progressed a lot through this experience. We were proud of all the kids. After many admonitions to "sing out", we were pleased when they actually did. ;-) On our way home tonight, as we were complimenting Micaiah on a job well done, he said, "And no one even did this!", as he cupped his hand behind his ear.

"Lord of Glory"

Our church choir, et. al., presented our Christmas program tonight. We did "Lord of Glory", a brand new cantata by Dan Forrest.

Maestro Brian

Brian did an excellent job directing his first cantata. Thought you might like to see him in action.

Family Christmas Pic

Took our 2007 family Christmas pic today. Not sure whether we'll manage to get them in the mail this year with the move, so I'm posting it here. ;-)

Christmas Tea

Here are some pictures of our Girl's Tea Party to give you just a taste of what it was like. We all had oodles of fun and I think we may make it a tradition.

Christmas Tea with Friends

Ahhh! Florida!!

Patience was very excited to see the beach and Ocean for the first time!  By the time we made it there the first day the temp had dropped to the mid 60's but that didn't keep her from having a GREAT time!!  The next day it was in the 80's.

Corban LOVED the beach (second day) - he splashed in the water, ate lots of sand and even tried the shells....  But the showering all the sand off at the end was his delight!
First day at the Beach -- Corban was snug as a bug in a rug - which was wonderful since it was a tad cold.
Here the kids are dressed for chapel to hear Daddy speak at Clearwater Christian College.  He did a great job, and we enjoyed our stay VERY much!! The college was so gracious to us during our short trip there. We can't wait to go again!! Chicago temp was 28* when we landed - I'm afraid that we adjusted all to well to Florida!!