Thanksgiving in MN

We had a great time with Dan, Brenda, Elise, Ben, and Isabelle for Thanksgiving! Brenda put on a delicious and beautiful feast--we were spoiled. I think Elise got some more pictures, but this will give you an idea!

Thanksgiving in Rockford

Thanksgiving at the Homestead (trying again!)

Thanksgiving at the Homestead
We had a rather small but very nice Thanksgiving at the 604 homestead.We were really hoping that Uncle Mike would be able to come, but he didn't make it.There were only 12 people, but it was still a royal feast and the fellowship was great.So many memories in that house.Thanking the Lord for our heritage and the wonderful memories that Grandma and Grandpa helped create in that house. God is good.

Thanksgiving in France (yesterday)

With the Rockfordites!

No words needed :-)

Ohio Visits!

While we were in Ohio, we were able to stop by and have supper with Dale, Madeline and Jacob (the other 3 kids are at BJU). It was great to see them again and catch up on news.



The next day, we went to see Aunt Mary. She was as bright and cheery as ever. She had a mini-stroke last June but is doing very well. She is 95 years old. Looks like Grandma Bixby, huh? She reminds me of her too in some of her expressions-- especially "Well, let me see...".






From her house we went to see the Wagners (Betsy's parents) and had a great time with them. We forgot to get a picture. Then it was off to Findlay where we enjoyed staying with the Kalmbachs (part of the family on lower right) during the mission's conference. We weren't too great at getting pictures but I did remember to get one of Christy and her family for Donna (Christy taught in Germany with Donna many years ago and they go to Calvary!) And Pastor and Mrs Carroll. You kids will remember him as the pastor of Tabernacle in Wilson, NC and the man who gave you gum!! He had recently had a stroke so couldn't come to church so we went to the house to see them. In all, we had a great week in Ohio.

Birthday Cheesecake!

Besides just enjoying being in France with my family, my main birthday highlight this year was the cheesecake my sweet husband worked very hard to prepare! For those of you who have had it before, this is the Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake recipe, with "fruits rouges" (a blend of raspberries, blackberries, cassis, etc.) substituted for the strawberry purée. We had recently learned about a type of cream cheese available here called "fromage à tartiner" that seemed to work perfectly. I was a VERY happy birthday girl! ;) Two EBP students recently had birthdays as well, and so we were able (I forced myself!) to share a piece with them after Tuesday's prayer meeting. (In the picture in the middle, I am just about to blow out the candles on yet another little sweet treat that one of our students had left on our doorstep for my birthday.)

Wednesday was a holiday here (Armistice Day). I was very ready for a day off! We had talked about taking a day trip somewhere, but due to the weather and how worn-out we all were after a lot of recent activity, we decided just to take a short drive into the French countryside and then to return home for some family time and R&R. The gray day actually provided a different kind of beauty for us as we explored some country roads just outside the city near La Brede.

Happy Birthday, Ruth!

Have a wonderful day, Ruth. We love you and are glad you are part of our family :-) Wish we were there to spoil you but I am sure that your little family will do a great job!!

My B-day

I had a wonderful birthday and got spoiled rotten!!!

Florida!!!