It's A Winter Wonderland!

We have snow!!!!! I know, I know -- for all you northerners reading this, you're wondering, "Hey! What's the big deal?" Snow is a really big deal for us here on the south side of Atlanta, because it rarely happens. This is the first, real snow that we've had since we've lived here in Georgia (5 years). It's hard to believe that we had 80 degree temps a few weeks ago!

**UPDATE**
I have been corrected by the children (whose minds are younger and sharper than their old mother's) that they had a romp in a significant amount of snow four years ago when we were visiting our friends, the Hibbs, in New Jersey. So the picture below is not of Sarah making her first snow ball. I didn't mean to make statements that weren't true! I claim senility!!!

The view out of our front door

Buddy, our very grumpy geriatric dog who walked out and didn't like what he saw and felt on his paws, so he came right back in! The other two bichons were quite a different story -- they had a ball in the white stuff!

Our front walk way

Andrew with the first snowballs he's made in many years.

Sarah playing in snow for the first time that she can remember. She was only 2 when we moved from Michigan to Florida . . .

Christian with his giant snowball.

This is the first snowball that Sarah has ever made!

Comments!

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Science Fair

Last fall, Bryan Anderson asked Christian if he would partner up with him to present a project at the local science fair. Christian agreed, and they spent time over the past few months preparing and experimenting.

There were approximately 30 projects that were entered covering a very wide range of topics. I saw one project in which a girl experimented to see if her mascara grew bacteria at 20 days, 30, and 40 days. Another project was presented in which the student performed experimentation to determine whether or not the anti-bacterial wipes that stores offer their customers for the purpose of cleaning shopping cart handles was effective. A very interesting experiment (and a prize winner, I believe) that I viewed was by two boys who set out to find which agent cleaned stained carpet the best -- isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, baking soda, and carpet cleaner. I was truly amazed at the creativity and wide range of subjects that were represented!

I am pleased to report that the experiment that Bryan and Christian presented won third place in the high school division! Congratulations boys!



Posing with their project entitled "Can a Robot that Distinguishes Between Acids and Bases be Easily Created?"

Now, it's off to Regional competition!

Our New Furry Friends

The past couple of years, we have seen about five different cats around our property from time to time. They appear to be very feral, as they have never allowed us to get near them. A few months ago, Sarah asked if she could put out some food for them (she is so much like her mother at the same age!). We allowed her to do so, and she has been rewarded with a couple of new, furry friends.

This is Reese's. Her name was inspired by the color of her fur, which is a dark brown, with lighter patches mixed in -- kind of like chocolate and peanut butter in a peanut butter cup! Her true color is difficult to see in this picture since I had to take it through a tinted window. She is very affectionate with Sarah when she wants to be, but if she sees any of the rest of the family, she runs away. In this picture Reese's is keeping guard of her food, which is just a few feet in front of her. In this rare instance, she has allowed one of the other cats to have a little bit of it. Usually, she chases any of the other cats away who try to sneak a nibble.

This is Tiger whom we see about once a week. She is always trying to get some food, but Reese's usually chases her away. Reese's is sitting just a few feet behind Tiger, and right after this picture was taken, Reese's let her know that she had enough and chased her into the woods!

Sarah has been putting food out for about two months now, and it's just been within the last week or two that Reese's will allow her to touch her. Sarah is thrilled to be the only one to get near her, and I am thrilled that the kitty lives outside and can take care of herself!

Sarah and Andrew at Riding Lessons

They had a chilly ride today -- temps were in the high 30's!

Happy New Year Everyone!

New Year's Eve, the kids and I went to the Hawkin's house to ring in the New year with the folks from church. Tom had to work (30th - 2nd), so I got to watch everyone else kiss their sweetie at midnight, while I could only dream of mine, as he was sound asleep in a hotel in Albuquerque. I tried to sneek a smooch with one of my kiddos, but none would oblige me . . . .

We had two guests staying with us New Year's Eve (actually New Year's Day, since it was very late ((or early!)) when we arrived home), Michael Howland and Kristin Hawkins. Here they are enjoying their first breakfast of the new year -- pancakes!

Celebrating Christmas at Nana and Papa's

Tom had to work again this year through Christmas (23rd - 26th), so the kids and I headed to Florida to my parents' house.

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Jenn were there too



Now that he is 14, Andrew is legally allowed to cruise The Villages in the golf cart. He wasted no time getting Nana to go for a spin with him!



Sarah can't drive yet, but Nana was happy to take her on a ride.




Every kid's favorite part of Christmas -- opening the presents!






When I left for home in the beginning of November, five days after Dad had his stroke, he had no movement at all in his left hand. This picture was taken 8 weeks after the stroke, and I'm so happy to report that his progress has been quite remarkable! Thank you to everyone who prayed for him!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

To all of our family and friends, may God bless you as you celebrate Jesus birth!



I received the following from Christian's history instructor, and it's too funny not to pass on!

TO ALL MY DEMOCRAT FRIENDS:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual preference of the wishee.

Have a Happy Non-Denomination Winter Holiday


TO ALL MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS:


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Party

Tom and I hosted our first, and hopefully annual, Christmas party with our dear friends from church. Everyone contributed to the food by bringing some of their favorite appetizers and desserts -- there was an unbelievable amount of food! After we all ate as much as we possibly could, we had a white elephant exchange. It was a wonderful evening!

Food covered the island and lined the side countertops!



Crystal Bazemore and Melinda Hawkins



Katie Sackberger and Jill Coppock



Pastor Wayne at the end, going clockwise, Robert and Donna King, Eric King, Brett Hawkins, Ryan and Meloney Lindsey, and Patrick Coppock



Leah, Melinda and Alan Hawkins



I made several attempts to get a picture of Patrick and Jill Coppock, and finally gave up when a troll appeared in the background.



Steve and Crystal Bazemore



Wayne and Judy Rogers



Getting started with our white elephant exchange!



Mr. King opened up this creepy, voo-doo looking planter, which Tom took from him a few turns later, much to my chargrin!



Judy opened up this lovely owl . . . . .



This was the gift that I opened up, which Tom found multiple uses for. First, it's a picture frame!



It also can be used as a serving tray! (For those of you who are concerned with Tom hanging a potty seat around his neck, this was a new item). I was so excited about the multiple uses of my gift! Sadly, it was stolen away from me a few turns later. After the game was over, we learned the person who stole it away from me was actually the person who brought it! I won't tell her whole name here, but the initial of her first name is D . . . . .



It was love at first sight for Alan and this little guy. He seems to be a cross between a sheep and a pig, so he was affectionately dubbed "Shig."



Our group photo



Our silly group photo

14 years ago today . . . . .

A 6 lb. 14 oz. baby boy came into our lives, and none of us will ever be the same!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!




ANDREW
A name given to one of the disciples who laid everything down to follow Christ, and also the name of his great-great grandfather on Papa Skaggs' side, William Andrew Skaggs.

CRAIG
The middle name of his Papa Umbaugh and Uncle Jeff.

SKAGGS
The name passed on to him at birth by the earthly father who loved him so much and whose genetics he bears, and the name which will always be a part of his heritage.

THOMAS
The name given to him by another earthly father who loves him so much, but whose genes he does not share, when he adopted him as his own.

May God continue to bless you as you have blessed our lives. May He grow you in wisdom and character. May you diligently submit your life to his lordship and seek to proclaim His truth, all for the glory of His kingdom!

With much love,

Mom, Dad, Christian and Sarah

Ladies Annual Christmas Tea and Cookie Exchange

Sarah and I hosted our second annual Ladies Christmas Tea today. Our guests included the precious ladies and their daughters from our church, as well as some dear friends who are kindred spirits. We even had a visitor from Michigan!

I wanted the day to be special for Sarah, so I invited both of her grandmothers to join us, both who live out of state. My mom (Nana) was unable to come (we're praying now that you can come next year Nana!), but Lila (Mimi) was able to fly down from Michigan. I didn't tell Sarah she was coming, because I didn't want her to be disappointed in case something happened and Mimi couldn't come after all. Sarah was a little puzzled as we were driving so far to run "errands" Friday afternoon. When we pulled into the airport, she became very suspicious, and the boys and I had a little fun. They told me they got their bags packed and were ready to go, and then I asked Sarah if she packed her bag. Suddenly, she burst into tears, crying, "I don't want to go anywhere, and I don't have a bag packed!" Ooops! I didn't mean to cause her so much distress, so we quickly reassured her that we picking someone up, not leaving on a trip. Whew! She was very excited to see Mimi coming towards her a few minutes later!

There is nothing like a tea party to evoke visions of femininity -- little girls dressed in frilly dresses, ribbons and lace, angelic faces aglow with excitement, fine china and table linens . . . Our Christmas Tea was truly a celebration of all it means to be a lady, beautifully created in the image of God, serving our families, our church and community, all for the glory of God.

Our Menu

Tomato Bisque Soup
Chicken Salad Croissants
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Mini Quiches
Spinach Pie
Veggies and Ranch Dip
Grape Salad
Blueberry Muffins
Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake
Sugar Cookie Bars
Lemon Coconut Squares
Pumpkin Tarts
Pecan Tarts
Cream Puffs
Mocha Punch
Christmas Punch
Assorted Teas
Coffee

After we finished eating, we gathered the little girls together for a tea cup exchange. Each girl was given a wrapped tea cup, then Mimi read a revised verion of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to them. Each time they heard the word "left" or "right," they had to pass the package they were holding appropriately. At the end of the story, the package they were holding was theirs. They loved it!

Following the tea cup exchange, Miss Judy lead us in singing some Christmas carols, hymns, and shared a new song she has written for her Beatitudes recording project (it was beautiful!). Then Hannah Caison beautifully performed several Christmas carols for us as the piano.

During the course of our tea, we did experience one party crasher who shall remain nameless!

Please double click on any of the pictures below for a larger view. Did I mention that we love to receive comments? Please do so at the bottom of this post! :o)



Sweet girls ready to begin our tea party!



Katie, Crystal, Melinda and Beth filling their plates with yummy goodies!




Mimi enjoying visiting with the girls



L to R - Rachel (Leah's friend), Kristin, Leah, Molly and Courtney



Sarah, Kristin, Abby, and Hannah



Mimi reading a special version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas."



The girls showing their tea cups following the exchange.



Anyone want to guess who our party crasher was?!



Melinda, Julie, Judy and Melanie



Judy leading us in singing some Christmas carols.



Judy and the girls sang "Seven Awful Things," a song that Judy wrote for her "Go To The Ant" album (www.judyrogers.com).



Hannah beautifully performed a few Christmas carols for us. Thank you Hannah!




Melinda and me



Kristin, Leah and Rachel



Our group picture minus the Anderson ladies who had to leave early for a prior engagement.



Meloney Lindsey and baby Ryan, the only boy invited to the tea party!



Melinda Hawkins and her girls, Leah, Kristin, Allison and Melissa



Julie Gilliam (who announced at the party that she is expecting #5 -- woo hoo!) with her girls, Abby and Megan



Katie Sackberger and Rebeccah



Beth Caison and Hannah



Crystal Bazemore (who is expecting #3 in May) and Soren



Sarah and Mimi



Me and Sarah