Poem

Madison wrote a poem this winter and entered it in the Creative Communication Poetry Contest. Her poem was picked to be published in "A Celebration of Young Poets" anthology. We don't know yet if her poem is a winner of any cash or prizes, but Madison is thrilled that she is going to see her poem in a book...and so are we!

Jesus is Our Christmas

After all the things that happen every year,
Comes a special holiday full of happiness and cheer.
Upon this night a baby was born,
Jesus we call Him, our Savior, our Lord.
We think of Christmas as a present giving time,
And nothing but wrapping paper and rhyme.
Jesus came to save us,
From sin, the unwanted must,
And people everywhere have learned to trust.
Greeting family and friends are lots of fun,
Putting on plays and concerts that our teachers run.
They’re sometimes about Santa, sometimes fictional stories,
But the ones I like to hear are about Jesus’ glory.
So much can happen while in this state of mind,
Good things, like Jesus, are always the right kind.
Don’t get me wrong about our artificial trees and lights,
But if you come to know Jesus, your life will be bright.
He’ll save a place in Heaven for you,
And Christmas is the time to start over -- become new
So think about it, and pray with all your might,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Clifton Mill

We went to Clifton Mill tonight to see the lights. Very awesome...a must see! The first picture I didn't take -- it's from their website. The other two I did take, but they don't really capture what the place really looks like in person.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cuties

When trimming the tree we always like to put up homemade ornaments the kids have made. My how time has flown by!!

In The Lane, Snow Is Glistenin'

The trees and bushes were more beautiful than the camera could capture on our first snow of the season.

Buckeye Bedroom

Well, we finally finished Dalton's bedroom, after hanging the Fatheads. He loves it and always seems to play football on his PlayStation and OSU is his team. Wonder why? (Any shiny areas on the wall are reflections from pictures with the flash).

Jonathan Alder

After driving past this cemetery all the time and only being a few miles from home, we finally stopped to find where Jonathan Alder was buried. We didn't find his grave, but saw many others from the Alder family. Maybe when it isn't so windy we will come back to find his.

Happy Halloween!

Pianorama

Pianorama is a large piano ensemble event which has been held in Central Ohio every two years since the mid 70's. Over the years, Pianorama has provided thousands of piano students with the opportunity to know the thrill of large ensemble participation and to learn the skills that come from this experience.

Madison and Dalton were both invited to perform at Pianorama this year. Their group had twenty-four piano players on twelve pianos. This is Madison's third year performing and Dalton's first.

They also got chosen to play at one of the two grand pianos! Way to go!!



No cameras were allowed at the actual recital but we were able to capture the moment at dress rehearsal.





Here they are before the recital in their performance black and white.



Here is a part of one of the five songs they performed. The conductor stopped them before they were finished, but you get the idea. I did record a whole song that sounds really good, but it was too big to upload!

A Room with a View

Nice view from our living room this evening.

A Taste of Grandview

Kelley, and the band he is in, Jamburger, played at A Taste of Grandview on October 7th at McKinley Field Park. You could savor food from area restaurants and enjoy great musical entertainment and kids activities.

Finding Dalton

Monroe Elementary school wore pink on Friday for Breast Cancer awareness. All the kids that wore pink got to have their picture taken. Dalton doesn't own anything pink, so he borrowed a pink bracelet from a classmate so he could be in the picture. Any chance you can find him? (You can click on the picture to view a larger version.)



Yeah - you're shaking your head with a smile just like we did! Just like him isn't it?!!

Croquet

Kelley restored the croquet set that I played with growing up. It looks really good...he did a great job. The kids have never played croquet before and it has been many years since Kelley and I have played. The course Kelley made was golf course quality. We had a fun time and Dalton won!!!

A Compliment

Today in Madison's math class, her teacher, Mrs. Gavrilescu said,

My Dad taught me two things:

1. If it's too good to be true, it is.
2. Only befriend those who know what's going on.

Then a boy in her class spoke up and said, "Madison, will you be my friend?"

History Lesson

We decided to trek not too far from home and learn a bit of history.

We went to two covered bridges in Union County.

The Little Darby Covered Bridge



Treacle Creek Covered Bridge



Then, not too far from the bridges were two State Cemetery Nature Preserves

Bigelow Cemetery Prairie




Smith Cemetery

Our intent is to travel a bit more to see where these back roads might take us.

Back to School

The kids started school today.

Dalton is in the 4th grade this year and in his last year of Elementary School.
Madison is in 6th grade this year and in her second year of Middle School.

Car Show

We went to a car show in Plain City on Saturday. Kelley got a top twenty plaque for the rod. It was a very hot day, but worth it!

Sea, Sand and Surf

We had a great vacation this year at Myrtle Beach. Here are a few memorable moments from our trip.

Fun at Jeff and June's

We had a gorgeous day in the hills.


Dalton walking the creek


Madison and her Daddy



Madison's pretty smile!


June and Kim


Betty, Chris and Mary


A rare photo of me!


What does Dalton and Daddy see?