Staff Thanksgiving!

Last night we had our staff meeting/thanksgiving dinner. It's always so fun for all of us to get together and fellowship. It always takes us at least an hour to get to business... even if that business is merely dinner. Lets just say we get a little distracted. Either the guys are looking at something on their macs or iphones, we're waiting on the last few to arrive, or, by then, it's time to put the kiddos to bed, something always keeps us from starting on time. I guess that's why the meeting now start at about 5:30 to 6:30 since a majority of us have to wake up the next morning.

Dinner was at Elisha and Carrie's casa and they did their best to make it beautiful, and they did a great job! It was much more stunning that I imagined it would be or I would have done were it my house. We had placecards and napkin rings and fancy goblets for our water or tea. It was absolutely lovely. The table had tea lights and golden glittered pinecones with little chocolates all about. Everyone brought a dish and everything was delicious. Sara even made the turkey that Elisha won last Friday! It was so great!

Coupon Extravaganza

On Friday we had a girls night. We went to taco john's (disgusting) and then a coupon party with the "coupon lady". Jayne Hartman hosted and it was a little bit like a tupperware party or something. We sat there munching on delicious sweets while the "coupon lady" proceeded to astound us with what horrible stewards we are of are money and how could cut our grocery/shopping bill to 20% of what it once was. At the beginning we got to look at the massive amount of food (seen in picture by Elisha) and guess how much it cost her to buy it at the grocery store. I figured, "ok, she likes deals, so I'm going to guess everything is about $1 each". I counted and got $32. I thought I was clever. She had a 14lb turkey in there and almost everything you'd need for the full dinner! Well the grand total was $16... Elisha guessed $15 and won the all the food. I guess that's what's great about going to those kinds of things with 6 other girlfriends and thanksgiving around the corner... it didn't really matter which one of us won because we'd all share most of the food at the staff thanksgiving! It was overall a fun night, and while I don't think I'll ever be as intense as the "coupon lady" who doesn't buy a single thing without a coupon and stocks up on so much stuff she has racks behind every door to hold it all, it is a good thing to realize that coupons really can help.

Just for me!

There is something so beautiful to hearing kids worship.

Move it move it!

A little fun before active OCC. I bit of a dance party slash disco line or something. Look at the things the Trammels start!

Turkey!

This is what we're eating for Active. Thank you Ray's!

Active thanksgiving

We had a meal, a great teaching, some awesome pilgrim and indian hats, as well as a time for everyone to say what they are thankful for. It was pretty awesome

Gas Prices

Just think that 6 months ago i was paying more than double of this just to fill my car.

First time up front.

Johnny was blessed with the opportunity to give a devo during fresh life's worship night. He did a great job!

Decorating for Christmas

Christmas time is fast approaching, 35 more days I think, but Thanksgiving hasn't even passed yet. For almost all holidays, I hate when they pull out the goods to be sold long before they're due. Like selling for Valentines the day after Christmas and Easter baskets the day after Valentines and so on and so forth. But there is one holiday that I am always excited to see, CHRISTMAS! So many believe it shouldn't even be talked about until at least the day after Thanksgiving but not me. Here in Kalispell at work I listen to live streaming of Magic 99.5, a radio station in Albuquerque that has been playing Christmas music earlier and earlier. It's all they play from now until Christmas. I will also say that it brings joy to my heart that my new town is as equally excited about Christmas as I am! On Sunday, as we drove to church, I saw that the mall had put up some wreaths and decor and I was fairly excited about that. However, it wasn't too surprising... even in ABQ the malls got decorated. But last night, again as we drove toward church, I noticed EVERY single lightpost had garland, lights, and red bows! And they are just getting started! Yay for small town life! I can't wait for the first snow and to see all the garland up and the lights shining! This lamp post was right outside the strand.

Babysitting Emma.

She is so incredibly smart! She's not even 2 yet and she can say her ABC's, Count past 10, know's her colors, and can recite books from memory. She was doing better before and once she realized I was filming she kinda started acting silly. This book is called Jamberry I think and it's about different kinds of berries. I so love this little girl!

SNL CAKE

The saturday night kick off cake for the students! I used canned frosting to save time. I never want to do that again!

SNL dos

Here's one more pic!

SNL

Our first Saturday Night Active service! I'm stoked to see what God is going to do during this new change of service. Pray that God will bring some new life and growth.

Beef stew

My second time making stew, it turned out really good. If only you could smell it! Beef. Bacon. Carrots. Celery. Red potatos. Spinach. corn. tomatos. red wine vinegar. and more!

Orange and Yellow

The leaves are almost gone but its still so pretty

Depth girls fun night!

(In order of appearance, counterclockwise from the top: Ruthie, Kelsey, Kristin, Elisha, Becca, Kendra, Alexus, Sam, and sams friend that she brought to join us)

Girls are not necessarily dainty little flowers that only nibble on veggies and sit quietly... ESPECIALLY not mid-school girls. The girls downed 4 medium pizza hut pizza's, tons of Capri suns, a whole tray of candy bar brownies, two bags of popcorn, a tray of apples and caramel, plus tons of candy all in a 2.5 hr period as we watched Pride and Prejudice (with Keira Knightley) and some played card games. It snowed a bit outside while we hung out too, which added to the excitement. Oh and we all rocked pajama's. Does it get any better?

Active Leaders Meeting

Sara likes to be taller than everyone during our active meetings. I think she likes the power.

so many headlights

Its 5:20 On a Tuesday. Election Tuesday to be precise. This is the most traffic I've experienced in awhile as the city goes to get out their vote. It's rainy with low fog like clouds promising snow overnight. I'm getting excited for Christmas. That's what this weather does to me.

You can never have too many options to drink.

So soft!

I finished the scarf i was making. Just in time for snow

It's Snowing!!!

I wish I had a picture to show you, but my camera phone sucks. Our first snow of the season, apparently it's later than usual but that's ok. I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to get my fill ;-)