A SNOW DAY!

The girls had their first snow day of the year -- no school due to the 14 inches of snow that we've received in the past 2 days! The fun part was that both Eric and I were also off work, so we enjoyed playing games --inside and out. Eric, Avery & Ella headed out to make a snow fort but found that it wasn't good packing snow (per Eric, the expert snow-fort-maker). So instead they made tracks throughout the backyard and had lots of laughs. Thank You, God, for giving us special surprises like today!

TWINS?

We have two redheads. The red hair is about the only thing they have in common. They are several inches different in height and if anyone looks beyond their hair they see that their faces are completely different (it is said that Ella looks just like Eric and Avery looks just like me). Nevertheless, I frequently get the question, "Are they twins?" Judging from the following photo of Kristy and me, maybe it runs in the family . . .

STARRY NIGHT

Last Friday we enjoyed a special Christmas show at North Baptist Christian School. It was an evening of singing, dancing, instrumentals, skits, poetry and artwork -- created by the students and produced by the amazing teachers and staff. Avery and her two friends, Maria C. and Serena, recited a fun poem titled "I Call First". We are so thankful for our wonderful school!

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

With so many wonderful traditions from the Connor and Tillis families, it has been hard to decide which traditions to continue in our little family. Our main goal is to keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas. With that in mind, here are a few of our favorites . . .

1) Mom W. made us an ADVENT TREE CALENDAR, complete with felt ornaments to hang -- one per day, starting on Dec. 1. This calendar is identical to the original calendar that the Connor boys used in their home, every Christmas as children (thanks, Mom!). This year, Maria added to the tradition by writing devotions to go along with each ornament. Today we added the candle ornament. We read 2 Timothy 1:6 and talked about how God wants us to "fan into flame" the unique gifts that God has given each of us.

2) Our second tradition comes from the Tillis family. Throughout advent, our nativity sets are MISSING BABY JESUS! On Christmas day, the first thing we do is put baby Jesus in his manger. This makes precious memories for the girls year after year, and reminds us that we are celebrating Jesus' birthday.

3) And speaking of birthdays, our BIRTHDAY CAKE gets to stay out for the entire month, anticipating our celebration of Jesus' birthday on Christmas day. This special "cake" comes out 4 times per year in our house -- to celebrate each of our birthdays. After Eric's birthday (Dec. 1) we leave it out until Christmas. On Christmas day we will have a birthday party, complete with a real cake, streamers, etc. to rejoice in the birth of our Savior 2000+ years ago!

FIRST SNOW

Today, December 3, shows our first "real" snow of the season. Over a foot of snow is predicted by Wednesday! Eric is out of town today, so when Ella got home from school she announced that she was going to shovel the driveway :) As you can see by the photos, she has learned well from her father -- nice straight lines across the driveway and not a hint of ice or snow left! It is amazing how strong those genes are!!

PUSHING 40

Maria had a milestone in her aging this year -- her first pair of glasses! Actually, I think I had glasses in 7th grade just because I thought they would look cool. But this is the first time I've actually needed them. Just for reading but . . . could I really be getting old??

THANKSGIVING AND BIRTHDAYS

Last Thursday most of the Tillis family gathered together at our house to celebrate Thanksgiving and Mom/Grandma Tillis's birthday. Even Grandma Hall (95 years old) joined us -- her first time to visit our home since we've lived here! We missed Coleen, Jerry, Sam & Ty but had a great day eating, laughing and enjoying each other. Next Tillis get-together: December 29!

Pics above are of the "kids table" (ages 5-15) and Grandma and the girls.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US

This month marks Eric & Maria's 10 year spiritual birthday! In November 1997 we were "born again" into a new life with Christ. After 28 years of living according to our own plan, we found the hope that we had been looking for -- a promise of eternal life in heaven with God and peace while we live on earth. We never knew that it could be so simple -- acknowledging that we were sinners, in need of Jesus to reunite us with God. We asked Him to be the Lord of our lives and the past 10 years have been full of God's blessings and peace. We are so thankful to be children of God!

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. . .For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9

SPECIAL VISITORS

Today we had a wonderful afternoon with our friends, Alan & Penny, who were visiting from down South. We were joined by the Dundore family and the O's dog, Snickers. The kids had a great time playing house and petting Snickers while the adults enjoyed catching up. We miss you, Al & Penny!!

AVERY'S DIARY

This week Avery wrote in her journal . . . "My perfect day: when we got Buddy" and "One thing I know I'll never forget: when my dog Buddy left". For those who don't know "Buddy", he is a Chihuahua that our family had for 3 weeks this summer. Shortly after Buddy's arrival, Maria realized that she was severely allergic to him. Thus, Buddy was only with us for a short time. Poor Avery still talks about her dog Buddy often.

FALL LEAVES

Each year we are "blessed" with an abundance of fall leaves. Playing, raking and bagging have become a weekly pasttime at our house.

HALLOWEEN

We enjoyed our annual trick-or-treat fest with our friends and neighbors. A giant bowl of candy is being enjoyed by all! In the pictures you will see a cowgirl (Avery), the Little Mermaid (Ella), the White Witch from Narnia (Meghan), a black cat (Anaja), Cat in the Hat (Mrs. Schmitz) and Curious George (Kalan). Not shown, but also joining us that night were a unicorn (Amaris), a werewolf (Mason), a pirate (Carter) and a little German girl (Tori). We are thankful for our good friends who live nearby!