Practice, Programs and People

  Hello Friends!
     Our December was pretty full with hours of practice and programs as well as doing all the "necessary" Christmas traditions and shopping!
                                                Here are a few pictures from our month!

              Charity and Ethan played some Christmas duets as prelude to each of our programs.

                               Dad and Mom are playing their old favorite-- "Oh Holy Night"

 We three ladies played some Christmas music at a ladies dinner at a local restaurant. It was fun coming up with music for three of us to play together! Here Mom and I are playing viola and harp.
 Another big highlight in December was playing for a large live nativity hosted by a local church and held in a big barn. We were given this tiny loft up above the fellowship area, to set up and play in. It was a major squeeze but we managed and played two evenings in a row for 3-4 hours each evening. Thankfully it was warm in the building and we enjoyed sharing our music with the hundreds of people that came through.
    The best part of the weekend though was when two special friends, Daniel and Jessica Hunter, showed up the last evening as a surprise for me!! =)

 On Christmas Eve, we gathered with the Bradford side for finger foods and a gift exchange!

                      Our family tradition of apple dumplings for Christmas morning breakfast.

                                                 Six eager children on Christmas morning!

                                               Happily trying out some of their new gifts!

    Caleb  was trying out the Steinway Grands at a local music store. He's starting out young. :)

For the last few days of December, we traveled to New York where we stayed with friends and gave our final Christmas  concert at my Dad's cousin's church.

                  While there, we spent time visiting with our two great aunts, (my Dad's aunts).

             We also walked around the Almanzo Wilder homestead which is in Malone, NY, right where we were staying. In the above picture, we are standing by the school house. And below, we are in front of the original homestead.

It's a charming place and we love visiting it when we're up there!
                                                               
In a time and a culture that is at increasingly great risk, we desire to share the ageless truth that God created each precious human being, and that they can live out God’s plan for their lives and their families. The Ten Commandments are still relevant. The Bible is still the message that tells us the story of Jesus and our hope of salvation and eternal life. There is forgiveness for sins and there is hope and healing for sorrow, loss, and pain. God can still enable His children to live authentic Christian lives. He still purposes to give Peace on Earth and Favor to all mankind! The joy of music, Jesus Christ, and family togetherness is a great blessing to us and we trust you will find the same for yourself and your family!

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