Rather Early Heavy Snow

Two snow days with no school have come a little early in the season. Copper doesn't seem to mind. We got nearly a foot over the course of a couple days.

Ancestral Home

Here are a couple of old photos Sue dug out since we've been talking about ancestors of late. The first is the birthplace of Henry Howard, Dundrum County, Tipperary, Erie (Ireland). The second is the site of the Weldon homestead at Cross Lane Slane, Co. Meath. These pictures were taken in the summer of 1966 when we traveled to Ireland.

All is Calm, All is Bright

We went out to see the wonderful Nativity display which Rebecca, Jeremy, and the girls have placed in their yard. The photo couldn't accommodate the shepherd's field and angels. But here are a couple of other pictures of our "angels" as we were leaving in the snow Monday night.

Sheep Ranglin' and Other Fun Stuff

Virtual Thanksgiving

It was almost like her sitting right here except that she couldn't smell the gravy. Great to have Elizabeth join us via INternet for Thanksgiving. She has a close up of Hannah and a long chat with sisters and Mom.

Intro to Shuffleboard

The boys had a great time downstairs. Caleb has great technique at the end

Our Hannah

Isn't she sweet?

Last of Backyard Color

Good Shepherd Institute

It could not have been more beautiful at the Good Shepherd Institute on the Ft. Wayne seminary campus this week. Weather was glorious as you can see from this video. And the worship opportunities were entirely refreshing and solid. Steve Starke continually encouraged me to make it down for one of the GSI. I'll try not to miss in the future. It was tremendous.

Gidyup Cowboy - Is This Cute or What?

Emma at Five

We had a birthday party yesterday at our house. Can there be a more exciting birthday than at age five? Emma is very much into the princess theme. Grandma made her an appropriately royal cake. Lots of fun.

The Water of New Life - Christ in Baptism

Hannah Grace VanTol was received into the Kingdom of Christ through His Gift of the washing of renewal by the Holy Spirit. We believe the Word, "Baptism now saves you." Rejoicing together October 19, were sponsors Uncle Brett and Aunt Allison, and the both the VanTol and Reed families.

Our Boys

Our Three Smilin' Granddaughters

Waiting for the Shot

Copper was a good girl Monday waiting patiently (mostly) for Dr. Grappin.

Hannah Grace VanTol

Washington with Tom and Beth

Over six days of travel back and forth to Virginia to visit Elizabeth and see our nation's capital, Sue and I, with Tom and Beth, enjoyed a tremendous time. We were exausted by it, but we saw as much as anyone could with four full days in Washington, DC. These are just a small few of the pictures. Along with road out we stopped at Fairfield, Ohio, and found the graves of our great, great, great grandparents, James and Betsy Allison.
Here are Tom and Beth resting by the reflecting pool in front of the U.S. Capital building.

At the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, we found the front part of the fuselage of "Flak-Bait," the B-26 which Uncle Norman flew during WWII. In the near future, the Smithonian is going to reconstruct the entire aircraft, one of the most celebrated of the war.

This is only one of so many awe inspiring vistas of the capital mall.

Returning through Ohio, we visited Port Washington, Ohio, and to our utter astonishment found the grave of our great, great, great, great-grandfather, Jesse Steward at the Riverhill Cemetery. We chanced upon the village mayor who didn't even know of this forgotten cemetery three miles out of Port Washington. But he was thrilled also to discover the grave of a veteran of the War of 1812, only the second of which they know in that region. It is a long, wonderful story we'll have to tell you another place.

Back home and having a little time with Emma and Clare.