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.