Looking back at Christmas!!

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”   (Jane Howard)

Some random shots from Christmas with the fam.. not in any particular order!!

Last minute Christmas pic!!  It's black & white for a reason.. the word "clash" didn't do it justice!!

Sweet Ava at Wiegand Christmas

Clayton bonds with Great Grandma Wiegand

You will be infinitely more successful at Thomas the Tank Engine games if you

 come equipped with a Santa hat!!

Three words... TIME FOR BED.  But he's so adorable about it!!

Logan was pleased to find a new piece of artillery added to his arsenal .  The Playmobil pirate cannon seems to be pretty effective on cowboys and Indians as well!!

Landon's new prized possession, courtesy of Aunt Mands.  He needed (?) a quick

 tutorial from Grandpa though first!!

Nothing like a roaring fire to warm up a Christmas gathering!!

Rather random, I know.. but I LOVED the Panera Bread coffee cups this holiday season!!

Love these guys!!!  And those cheeks.

In looking back over the year.. oh yes, there have been some challenges.  But the joys and blessings have been never-ending.  I know it's not a "Christmas" scripture reference.. but the passage that keeps coming to my mind is Lamentations 3:20-24.
 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.

 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Eyes on Jesus

I love this song from the Louvin Brothers.. it was later performed by Doyle Lawson.  What an amazing reminder..

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS

Keep your eyes on Jesus,
When the tidal waves of trouble 'round you roll..
Keep your eyes on Jesus,
He will calm the storms of life that toss your soul.

Living in a world that's full of sorrow,
We are tried and tempted every day.
Knowing not the secrets of tomorrow,
We find rescue when we watch and pray.

Narration:

In Matthew, Chapter 14, when the disciples were in the ship in the midst of the sea, being tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary.
"In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea,
they were troubled, saying, 'it is a spirit'; and
they cried out for help.
But straightway, Jesus spake unto them, saying,
"Be of good cheer; It is I; Be not afraid."
And Peter answered him and said, Lord 'If it be Thou, let me come unto Thee upon the water.'
And He said, "Come." And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me.'
Peter was doing alright while he kept his eyes on Jesus. But when he looked away at the rolling waves about him, he began to sink.
And immediately, Jesus stretched forth His Hand, and caught him, and said unto him, "O, thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
Being tossed in this life by disappointments and temptations, we are very much the same as this disciple. If we want to live for Jesus, we must keep our eyes on Him, and not the pleasures of this world."

Keep your eyes on Jesus,
When the tidal waves of trouble 'round you roll..
Keep your eyes on Jesus,
He will calm the storms of life that toss your soul.

A little of this and a little of that.. Part II

Wiegand Family nite

"down at the cabin"

 Logan displaying his catch

Kickin' it back!!

 Jack is all geared to take off!!

Some shots of the flower garden!

 

Back in May, Miranda, Amanda & I enjoyed a weekend in Kansas, visiting Marissa & Kent..

Checking out the vegetable garden..

Mossy lake at Kent & Marissa's house : )

It just MIGHT have been almost Marissa's 30th birthday when
we were out there.. hence the birthday cookie : )

I went to Kansas expecting FLAT.  And actually, even though
this picture doesn't show it very well.. there were some pretty
rolling areas!  Lots of pastureland... it reminded me a little of
Bloomfield.

Hmmm.. what better place to stop in KC on the way home.. than ORANGE LEAF!
Gotta love that fro yo!!

  

Soo.. Marissa is working at Arnold's Greenhouse right now.. you can
click here for the link.  I LOVED it there.. we went for a visit on
Saturday.. and I was so impressed.  One of my purchases was
David Austin's "Carding Mill" (a rose).  It smells divine.  And you can
see it here, riding home with us!!

A little of this.. and a little of that!!

I know.. this one is long overdue!
Thanks for the reminder Kate.. this one's for you!!

A trip isn't complete without a lovely self portrait!! Hehe

Day trip to Chicago.. 
Amanda had a reward trip through her job
at Mangolds.. and I was privileged to be
invited along!!

Yolk.  It's second only to Millie's in Sarasota on my list of
favorite breakfast places!!

The Ransom Cable House.  Downtown Chicago
has a certain excitement.. a bustlingness.. and all that.
But I'm still a lover of the quaint and old fashioned.
Gardens.  Brick houses.  Gas lamps.  Fountains.
And here they all are.. right in Downtown!!  Love it!

And, Chicago isn't complete without a stop at Sprinkles.

Long weekend jaunt to Kansas City:

Headin' weeeest... I always think of that old Jim & Jesse song from
 growing up when I'm traveling into the sunset!

Have I ever mentioned that I REALLY enjoy shopping in KC? : )
The Legends has never let me down.  Well, at least all two of the times I've been there!!

Orange Peel.. frozen yogurt.  Deeeelish.

Some smiles from five of my favorite guys:

Yes, those are spots all over his angelic face.. Logan had chicken pox!

Spring!!!

Pretty sure it's no secret.. I ADORE spring!  And this spring has been extra amazing.. I'm not exactly sure what happened to winter this year.. but it's all good!!  Flowers are blooming.. the spinach and peas are already coming up in the garden.. which brings me to my problem. 
We have had two rabbits.. it would appear that they were formerly someone's pets.. and they have taken up residence in my yard.  They have not so affectionately been named Flopsy and Mopsy.  I don't mind sharing the space, however.. I'd like to think that the garden will have a fighting chance to produce veggies!!  Fences were discussed.. and then Marla reminded me of my garden loving Grandpa Wiegand's trick.  Hang icky smelling soap from the trees around the garden.  Well, since most soap is engineered to smell good.. I ended up deciding on Ivory.  :  )  :  )  Hehe.  Should be interesting.  Grandpa claimed it worked like a charm at his beloved garden down at the cabin.  We shall see.

Florida!!

I must say.. I'm a smidge partial to Sarasota and Siesta Key.  Just a smidge.  But if I had to pick a second favorite Florida destination.. Naples wins!  I really like the area.. good shopping, the beaches were nice.. and it was just an enjoyable place to be.  And WARM!  Mid eighties and sunny every day except one : ) 

Our view.. for 3 1/2 hours..

And the views for the WHOLE next week!!  Love that fluffy white sand.. the sailboats.. the blueblue sky.

It was, however, a bit of an adventure getting there, though.  The trip down (yes, we drove!) took 26 1/2 hours and we made it home in 18 1/2.  We came to a complete stop about 45 minutes south of Champaign and proceeded to sit there for 3 1/2 hours.  Blech.  But I was thankful we were safe.  There were semis ditched and jack-knifed and overturned everywhere.  Cars in the ditch.  But, it was OHSOWORTHIT when we got there!!  One week of sunshine and relaxation.. warm sandy beaches.. delicious food (bring on the seafood!!).. ya can't beat it!!