Snow Day

We've been waiting until now for snowfall that amounts to something measureable.

The perfect day to put on a new pair of boots and crunch around in what seems to be about 2.5 inches. Although our sidewalks are shoveled for us,

I felt the urge to push the soft, white blanket myself.

 

 

I won't push the snow from the deck floors...it's too pretty this way.

Blake scored a #1 ranking in wrestling

Ames was the Saturday site for the latest wrestling tournament.

 Blake wrestled at his 170 lb. weight and won first place. 

 6.6 minutes.

 Yep, pinning all four opponents.

And, his Valley Tigers team won first place.

 

The Valley Tigers wrestling team.    Blake is the one wearing his signature white in the back row.

 

Another version of the team. Blake in white

Underwoods Are At The Alamodome

The Alamo Bowl game just started.

The Underwoods slipped into their seats at the dome in time for the 7 p.m. start.

It would be great if the Cyclones could get a win.

Meanwhile, they send a couple pics.

 

 

 

Part 3: And so it was...

Landon and I finished our crèche scene of foam-core characters.

 

And so it was,
 while Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem,

the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."
Luke 2:7

 

Tonight, we greet each other at our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at church:

"Christ it born!

Christ is born indeed!"

 

We wish you a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year!

Part 2: Tax Time

The story continues:
Caesar Augustus sent out a decree,

that all the world should be taxed.

 A long trip to Bethlehem on a donkey...

 

"It came to pass in those days, that all the world should be taxed.
And Joseph went up from Galilee...unto the city of David, which is Bethlehem...
to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,
being great with child."  Luke 2:1, 4-5

 

Part I: This Year's Christmas Angel

 

Landon and I are telling the Christmas story with French-inspired crèche characters.

We colored them with markers and cut them from foam core.

The setting for the Nativity is our outdoor deck

 with a backdrop of evergreen trees.

 

First, the Angel. Foretelling the coming of Jesus. Emmanuel.

"Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream." Matthew 1:20

The Great Escape

Well, the Jerdee and Underwood men couldn't make the escape this time.
 But, they enjoyed the challenge and managed to stand up
 for TheEscape photograph.