Better Pictures- Still Trying

Alex, Miriam and the girls came over for supper on Sunday. My sweet daughter says, "Could you try to take some nicer pictures of the girls? Your last few blog photos made them look like ragmuffins." Well, that set the bar a little higher, but before I go on, I threw in the snow pictures because I had been lamenting the new snow on Friday and thus no snow day. Well it snowed most of the day and by Saturday morning we had a great winter wonderland.

Here are some Addie pictures. She is harder to catch with a great photo. They would mostly be action shots. Better Mimi?

Jazz loves to have her picture taken. She sits; she smiles; she waits until you get all the camera things ready and she still looks and smiles.

This one, Stella, will be a heart stealer as time goes on... In fact, she has her first modeling gig tomorrow. She spends lots of time watching her big sisters.

The Breath of God - Life Sunday - Part 5

Pastor Maas talked about life and the breath of God bring life as part of our celebration of "Life Sunday." Snickel and Frizt each got a "blower" as they called them. We heard lots from these blowers all morning. Papa even had to repair the blowers when the paper failed from too much spit... Oh the joys of little ones...

Ice Cream Makes Breakfast Go Faster - Part 4

It's hard to get up and get going on Sunday. Needed to be at 8 a.m. worship followed by Jennifer's Bible Class on Water Walking at 9:30. A little ice cream sure helps lube the process. Don't tell their parents. This only happens a Nanna and Papa house. Nothing says cooperation like Breyers.

Help For Pizza - Part 3

I found that if I offered some "world famous pizza" I could get some help watching the girls. The homemade dough and wide variety of toppings can really draw in a crowd. Here is the watch 'em team: Bill, Laura, Mary, William and Jennifer. Found out that Bill really dislikes garlic. Too many garlic stuffed olives on the pizza for his liking. The others seem to enjoy the culinary efforts of Chef Baker. Girls went to bed and I dominated at Sequence. Many theories were offered to explain this phenomena. I subscribe to the overwhelming talent theory.

Helping Haiti Kids

The kids at school are gathering coins for the kids of Haiti. We want to fill a 5 gallon water jug. Wonder what that will generate in funds? Dear friends, Ken and Penny Chumbley, came to talk to our upper grades about their recent mission trip to Haiti. They arrived home Thursday before the earthquake on Tuesday. I will keep you updated on our progress...we have maybe an inch in the jug.

The Twins Come For The Weekend - Part 2

2 PM and Jennifer and the twins are down for naps. They were all up for a while during the night. We had a busy morning. Jennifer attended exercise class and the girls rode bikes at the school. They were in awe of the 30+ people dancing and shaking for the class. I would have included some of those pictures, but was threatened by the women attending class. Tough subject photographing women dancing to the zumba??? Who would had guessed? We rode the ramp and had a good time waiting for Nana to shake loose...

Went to Old Mac D's for breaktime and a little climbing and sliding. Wanted a picture before leaving, but Addie wanted no part of sitting still. We got the picture even without her help...the blog must live on.

The Twins Come for the Weekend--Part 1

Alex and Miriam escaped to St. Louis with baby Stella in tow and left these two little waifs on our doorstep. We went to the big faculty party at the Mexican restuarant, had quesadillias (Mexican food) and hurried home for ice cream. You there's lots of ice cream at Nanna and Poppa's house. All's quiet for the moment. Someone needs to tuck Nanna and Poppa in to bed. More tomorrow.

Big Cedar Retreat - The Best of Marriage

Jennifer and her gang put on a couples' retreat last weekend. It started with Yakoff sharing his love and laugher talk. Jennifer and Paul covered the following morning with much info and fun on communication skills. Libby, the sex therapist, had a session in the early afternoon and Jennifer put the fininshing touches on the retreat. Jennifer's new Marketing Director, Stacey, is pictured in the upper right hand corner.

Here are some of Jennifer's gang. Derek Gwinn, Project Manager, and Virginia Datema, relationship educator are pictured. Lots of the guys in attendance had a great time, but never took off their hats. CBS sent videographer Kelli to take footage for a possible upcoming 60 Minutes episode on the resurrenge of marriage in southwest Missouri under Dr. J. (Jennifer made me admit that this last part is a lie--CBS wasn't really there.) I think she spoils all the fun.

If You Want to Walk on Water ...

Today Jennifer started a new adult class based on a book by John Ortberg, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. A number of brave folks joined the class to consider how they might "water walk" in relation to their faith. Above you can see small group work, large group lecture and Jennifer teaching. Today's question: "How do you define failure?"

Winter Came Overnight

The weather guy said snow was possible. We went to bed with it just starting. Welcome morning and winter with about 4 inches of very light fluffy snow. Everything is covered in white just like the pictures. I, Paul, just got the bird feeder up in time. Our little feathered friends were so happy to visit the Baker yard and have a bite or two. The red cardinals were in the evergreens and looked just like the Christmas cards we have been receiving.

Wedding - Jason and Renee Highley

Tonight we attend the wedding of Jason and Renee Highley. The service was at Redeemer and Renee's father officiated. The wedding featured much beautiful music, including a flute choir, a guitar-accompanied trio, piano, and the organ. We even heard bagpipes at the reception.

Pictured above are some of the wedding guests--Dr. and Mrs. Peterson entertained a group at their table. Sheri and D'Ann made the table across the way much better looking. Ashley was the "book girl" for the wedding and did a spectacular job. Bonnee, Sonja and Jennifer enjoyed some quiet conversation and Tom filled in as bartender. (He seemed to have some experience.) As the reception went on a light snow began falling outside and a friend of Uncle Finn's wandered in.

A Decade of Change Coming

On the first day of this new decade I think about what this blog will look like ten years from now - ten years of growing and laughing together. The Green twins will be ready to move to high school and then off to conquer the world. Many confirmations will be happening each year. Paul will have retired and will be working to fill his many free hours. Jennifer will be supporting the household with her 30-50 hours of counseling work each week. I might have to learn to cook (I hear my brother has taken up this task.) I am suspecting the biomass of grandkids will be up by 4-500%. They will be carrying me around instead of the current arrangement. I know I have said this in the past but I think my life will be divided into two parts - BG and AG. I love the after grandkids part... May God's love be near and dear to you this decade...