Neleha's School at the Zoo

Kristy took Neleha to her first of many classes she will be attending at our local zoo. We decided to enroll Neleha in these classes due to her eagerness to learn and our inability to get her into a Head Start program. Because we already have a membership to the zoo Neleha's classes are greatly discounted which is also a big plus.

Kristy told me how Neleha was able to quickly find her place within her class and had a wonderful time painting, making a bird feeder and above all learning about animals. She loved it so much she now calls it her "school".



Neleha told me herself how she got to pet a bunny during her class which in her mind was the highlight of the day.

Our little Neleha is growing so fast and learning so much, it is so wonderful to watch her have so much enjoyment from exploring the world.

Decorating our Tree in a Box

A few nights ago we set up our first ever "artificial Christmas tree". We have had an actual authentic tree every year ever since Kristy and I were first married but this year it just seemed appropriate to vary from our tradition. I must admit the fake tree is less messy which was a big plus. The other nice benefit to this tree is that it already had the lights built in. You can't beat a pre-lit no mess tree.

Before we purchased our Christmas tree we discussed with our angel daughters the plight of our tight dual student financial budget in regards to Christmas decorations. We proposed that we make our own decorations for the tree and wouldn't you know it, our girls were more excited about that idea then buying decorations.

So on our FHE night Kristy helped them string popcorn and I helped with making a paper chain. The girls had a ball as we decorated our new Christmas tree.

The final product was certainly something to smile about.

The Nativity Celebration

Our local congregation is hosting an annual live nativity celebration. The celebration included a live nativity scene as well as a massive display of hundreds of handicrafted nativity scene models from around the world. To top off the experience there are also Christmas song performances from local choir groups as well as actual well known Branson performers. All free to the public, a wonderful way to usher in the greatest holiday of the year.

So we chose this particular night to visit the nativity celebration because two of our friends were participating in the live nativity. Sean and Travis were both representing wise men, now that was a stretch j/k.

They along with all the other participants did a wonderful job in bringing our minds back to that most humble yet divine night of nights. Along with the actual live nativity there was an audio presentation describing the magnificent events surrounding the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It was certainly a most appropriate way to begin the coming holiday.



Inside the chapel we found so many beautiful depictions of the nativity. Each depiction carried with it pieces of the culture from where it originated. These many perspectives provided so much wonderful insight into the way people from around the world cherish this most important event. It was very inspiring.

To learn more about this annual event visit www.nativitycelebration.com

First Snow on the First of December

We were aware of the impending storm long before it ever reached us. In fact it was 72 degrees on the 29th of November but all the same they predicted 4-6 inches of snow after a long day of freezing rain in the early hours of December 1st. When we woke to the first day of December the ground proved the predictions correct. Its funny, when we first moved here we were told that Springfield had not gotten over 2 inches of snow in a single winter for over 5 years. Kristy and I must be jinxed. When her and I were first married and living in North Carolina they had the worst snow storm ever recorded. Then we move to Maine and once again a record breaking 25 feet of snow total for our first winter. Ohio was no different, we got to experience another record breaking winter. I can't wait for the rest of the winter..........

So with the ground covered in the cold wet stuff we came out to survey the damage. Really the ice didn't make too much of a nuisance and the snow was predicted to melt quickly.




So the girls came out to play for awhile but they quickly realized that snow is very cold and not as fun as it looks. So we then decided to take the Suzuki out for a joy ride around the town. I never turn down an opportunity go four-wheel driving.

A Great Gathering to Chase & Eat Turkey

It was amazing what a little turkey can encourage people to do, lucky for us we had a big turkey because not only did we have Kristy's parents, her sister, and a niece and two nephews drive in from Ohio, Tony called from Oklahoma to surprise us that he too was headed our way with his family. So in total we had Gary, Tove, Sherry, Emily, Braden, Garret, Tony, Carmen, Chad, Zoe, Dillon, Kristy, Molly, Neleha, and myself all in a very spacey 2 bedroom student housing apartment. Sounds like it would be cramped, but mostly it was just hot. So we all gathered the night before Thanksgiving for a turkey and to give thanks for all we have, especially each other.

With 15 people we certainly had to manage sleeping places for everyone, which actually worked out pretty well.

Thanksgiving morning was full of enjoying the babies, cooking the sides, and enjoying each other.






The kids were getting a little ansey so we took them out to the playground to get all their wiggles out. I think this was the most kids that had ever used our playground at one time. They sure got a lot of use out it.



Molly's interest in photography sure comes in handy such as being able to get a photo with my brothers. I think it is clearly official now that our assumptions all these years that I am the oldest has been proven incorrect. It is very obvious that I am the youngest.

Kristy and Sherry got to catch up on each others life during the countdown to turkey.

Molly decided to take some more photos which provide a much different perspective.



All morning I was telling the kids about these four wild turkeys that live in the woods near our apartment. We kept watch out for them and finally Tony caught a glimpse of them down in a gully so we all went out to watch some living turkeys just before we ate some dead turkey, ironic if you think about it.


After we watched them for a short time we let the kids chase after the feathered attractions, which resulted in the turkeys flying quickly away, almost as if they knew what today was.


The time had finally arrived to enjoy the festive meal.

Good food, lots of family, on a beautiful day... we certainly had much to be thankful for.


We took a walk down to the nearby Nathaniel Greene Park to off set the great feast we enjoyed.

Then we were able to simply relax and let the food settle. Of course there was much snaking on all the left overs from our big lunch.



Kristy got her Mom to cut Her and Neleha's hair, they looked so happy while getting their hair cut by their Grandma/Mom.

After all the kids were in bed it was time to plan our day after Thanksgiving sales that we would hit in the dark hours of the coming morning. Tony and I actually started out at 2:00am with scoping out Walmart which proved to be very interesting. There were some strange locals at Walmart during these wee hours of the morning. There was some lady with a white t-shirt which she had used a marker to write on it that she had a playstation 3 for sale. There was another lady that shared with Tony and I her conspiracy theory regarding how Walmart was going to sell their DVD's during the big sale. We decided to hit the nearby IHOP until the sales started rather than hang with these most interesting people.

We eventually hit the sales and caught up with Kristy and Sherry at Target. We made out pretty well, got some good deals, but more importantly, we had some real fun.