Yes indeed, the first Christmas program of 2019 is now history! Hopefully not categorized with the horror section of the history books. We are not perfect by any stretch, but our heart's desire is to spread Christmas cheer into each and every heart this season! Not just a momentary smile, although that is desired as well, but a lasting cheer that will guide them throughout the year!  For the first time, I forgot my harp stool!! So after quickly trying out a couple chairs which were too low, mom suggested using an upturned bell case! It was a little high but certainly better than nothing!  Waiting for his song!   Laura plays "Jesus Loves Me"  Selfie time after the service!  Our second program was at a local decor store/coffee shop having their annual Christmas open house! We provided music for the shoppers for around three hours. The backdrop was festive and cheery! A friend came to entertain the little ones and cheer us on!

 Below is a list of some of our upcoming music programs this season! Everyone is welcome to come and join us in ringing some Christmas bells!   Vicksburg Community Church December 8th. 6:00 p.m. Vicksburg, PA Polk Assisted Living  December 11th @ 2:00 p.m. Millersburg, PA Orrstown Event Center December 11th @ 7:00 p.m . Shippensburg, PA Berrysburg Evangelical Brethren December 15th @ 6:00 p.m. Berrysburg, PA Live Nativity @ Middlecreek Farms December 20th & 21st @ 6:00-9:00 p.m. Middleburg, PA Rebersburg God's Missionary Church December 22nd @ 10:30 a.m Rebersburg, PA Blue Mountain Church December 22nd @ 7:00 p.m. Shippensburg, PA

  I always feel better about myself if I can get my blog-post title words to all start with the same letter. Must be something about my personality. Or where I learned to write. Hmm. :)   A litter of 3 week old puppies experiencing grass for the first time! They weren't so sure about it. :)  Stuart doesn't mind sharing his breakfast with the kitty....  Caleb loves cuddling with the puppies!   Yesss! It's Autumn season again and that means time to dig out the pumpkins and apple cider and start a fire!!!!  Ethan celebrated his 14th birthday this past week, complete with a lego theme party and an orange marmalade cake! Ethan is a huge blessing around the farm and house and has now passed me (his "big" sister) up in height! We won't mention how far back he became stronger then me! Ha! And yes, lots of practicing! Seven of the eight of us are now playing two or more instruments and that means looooads of music going on! There are often

 A few evenings ago, we girls had some fun in the just-chopped corn field behind our house, with our cousins!  The results... If you look reeeally hard, you might be able to tell what word we're trying to spell! We won't talk about all the giggles and moving around trying to get it just right. Not sure we ever did quite. :)

Unfortunately, it was rainy and chilly (40*s) on Wednesday so instead of going back into the park to see the geysers, (it would have been a couple hours of driving to get there) we decided (sadly) to start the trek a day early down to Colorado where we were going to stay with relatives.  A couple hours from Yellowstone Park, was the town of Thermapolis, home of the largest hot mineral springs in the world! They were literally the temperature of bath water and even though it was a chilly day, many people were out swimming in them! That was very fascinating!  There was a swinging bridge over the springs and of course we had to rock it a bit. :)  We also stopped at a natural land bridge over a pretty creek. Here Laura and Caleb are standing on top of the "bridge".  We stopped for the night at a very remote campground where we kept driving and driving through, not sure where the road was taking us! We ended up at a beautiful campsite overlooking this amazing lak

Our family had a tremendous few days in Yellowstone National Park and I thought I would post some of our highlights along with a favorite place of each member of the family! Mom's favorite were the majestic mountains and vast scenery!  Looking out over the huge sulfur springs.  The sulfur springs and mud volcano were Dad's favorite!  The Lower Yellowstone Falls was Charity's favorite!    We hiked down a very steep mountain to look over this beautiful water fall!  The Yellowstone River snaking its way through the Yellowstone Canyon.      The Canyon was Susanna's favorite!   The Buffalo were Caleb's favorite!     We passed multiple bison walking down the road. One time, they even held traffic up for several minutes as a whole herd tried crossing.  Caleb posing in front of Mammoth Springs, a large area with hot springs.   The hot, mineral rich water carves these amazing terraces!     Lau