Christmas 2014 in Branson

Christmas 2014 was another great one for our family

The first two pictures are of the grandkiddos with Santa

 We spent the week of Christmas in Branson this year.

Jeff and I, and Rachel and her babies arrived on Monday.  We went to Cracker Barrell for lunch.  Copeland was excited about our week :-)

 We had a couple of quiet days with just Rachel, Copeland and Eisley

 Monday was Jeff and I's 42nd anniversary.  Since we had season passes, he and I went to Silver Dollar City for the evening.

 Over the next two days, other family members joined us.  Andy, Carman, Laine and Ellie came in late Tuesday evening.  Jonathan and his sister, Jennifer, came Wednesday, and Josh and Michelle came Wednesday evening.  

Carman helped the kids make a gingerbread house

 Eisley just chilled while they worked

 Christmas Eve (Rachel brought a little tree to the condo so we would have a little Christmas decor)

 

 I allowed the kids to open one present Christmas Eve....I think this picture is so funny--they are all looking at Eisley's present!

 They all liked their stuffed friends

 

 A picture of the kiddos with DeDe on Christmas morning

 Andy's family and Rachel's family had their own Christmas in their condo.  Josh and Michelle had returned to NWA to get Avi who had spent some time with her Dad. They had their Christmas together there and then returned to Branson Christmas afternoon.

We had our big Christmas dinner in the middle of the afternoon and then it was time to open presents.  They had waited patiently!

 First Papa read them the Christmas Story of Jesus' birth

 

 Handing out presents :-)

 Some cute shots of each child

 Once all the gifts were opened, it was time for stockings

 The girls playing with the doll house we got Laine and Ellie

 And Copeland playing with his barn

 Friday, we went to Silver Dollar City.

The girls wearing the matching outfits Carman had made for them

 For the biggest part of the day, we had good weather at SDC and a fun time!

 

 Josh and Avi on the roller coaster!

 The girls in the ladybugs

 Copeland on his first amusement park ride...the frogs with Dad

 Pretty gals - all 3 of them!

 Rain did come that evening, so after eating pizza in the park, we headed back to the condo and everyone slept good that night!

Our last full day in the condo was just a relaxing one.

In the evening, Jeff and I babysat while the parents went to a movie.  Avi took our picture:

 And then one with Avi included (she was so sweet to entertain the kids all week.  They all love her, as we do!)

 Christmas afternoon, we got some family pictures:

Josh and his girlfriend, Michelle and her daughter, Avi

 Andy, Carman, Laine and Ellie

 Jonathan, Rachel, Copeland and Eisley

 Too cute not to post!

 And one of the whole family (thanks to Jonathan's camera with a timer)

Another wonderful Christmas in the books!  

Thank you, Jesus, for coming as that babe in the manger and live that perfect life, to die a horrific death and pay the penalty of sin.....for me!!!

O, What A Savior!!

Christmas Greeting

Thanksgiving 2014 in Texas

Jeff and I took my Mom to my sister, Bev's home for Thanksgiving this year.

A Thanksgiving pic of Don, Bev, Peggy (Don's mother), Mom, Jeff and I

 We enjoyed a couple of days of spending time with Don and Bev's family.

On Wednesday, Shannan's family came over.  Mom with Zach, Madyson, Cooper and Alex (children of Shannan and Mike McEuen)

 And a picture with Shannan and Mike included

 

 

The McEuens went to Arkansas early the next morning to spend with Michael's family.  On Thanksgiving Day, Bev served a delicious meal for several of her husband's family and for her other daughter, Shawna and family.   Shawna and Nate's boys:  Noah and Tristan 

With Shawna and Nate Tunnell included 

 Mom with Don's mother, Peggy and niece, Paige Ferrell

 We left Tyler on Friday and drove to the Dallas Metro area.  

On Friday night, we attended the 50th Wedding Anniversary of our good friends, Gilda and Hollis Stanbery.  We got to know and love the Stanberys when we lived in NWA and were in the same home group.  They lived part time in Arkansas as their son and family lived there where Josh was our worship leader at Pinnacle Church.  Now they are back in Texas full time (where the two daughters and families live)  Wonderful folks!!

 Their kids hosted a really fun, fun party for them.  So glad we got to attend!

Thanksgiving is a time to remember and show thanks.

Lord, thank you for blessing my life so very abundantly.  I am so unworthy, but so very grateful!!  Thank you, Jesus!

Pastors Oasis and Senior Conference 2014

We are so blessed each year to be given the gift by our Church of attending our annual Pastors and Wives Oasis in Branson.  Not only are the sessions very encouraging and inspirational, we love the fellowship with other pastors and wives.....and sometimes friends who happen to be in Branson at the same time!  That was the case this year, when Christopher and Ana French were there and joined us for a delicious meal at Joe's Crab Shack

Paul and Mary Mooney, Aaron and Jenae Polok. The Frenches, and Jeff and I

 A picture of the Pastors and wives from our State Association:  Aaron and Jenae Polok, Jeff and I, John and Alisha Herring, Tom and Brenda Lewis, Paul and Mary Mooney, Fred and Mary Vogel and Brad and Joanne Wieneke

 A definite highlight was having Sandi Patti sing for us at our wonderful Banquet

 We were thrilled that Aaron and Jenae won the Disciple Guide Youth Workers Cruise.  Central Baptist College were the ones that made this gift possible

 And then the last of October, we were once again blessed to attend the National Senior Adult Conference in Branson.  We had a smaller group than normal this year from FBC, but still had a wonderful time. Paul and Mary Mooney, Jennifer Shoemaker, Shelva Jean Sleeper, Judy Hall and Jeff and I.

Already looking forward to Pastors Oasis 2015 and Senior Adult Conference 2015.

A big thank you to Disciple Guide for hosting these wonderful events each year and again to First Baptist for providing the means for us to attend.