Life at Rora

Last week he turned 14.

 

Who can make the best pizza…contest.

 

Too many choices.

 

He’s tough.

 

Full and content…..

 

…or so we thought. There’s always more room for cheesecake!

 

We love you, Ethan!

The F. Family invited us, once again, to their annual ice skating party.

 

Those of us who got to go, had a great time!

 

Brothers are the best!

 

Visiting and skating.

 

It was so neat to see all these little kids out there. They were troopers!

 

Camping out with MeMe.

 

 

“Hey Grace, will you hold this?”

 

Sweet girls.

 

Socializing.

 

Darthy and Enoch.

 

Thanks for having us, F. Family. May God Bless your family!

 

The much anticipated day…had arrived!

 

A very cool remote control helicopter.

 

Enjoying his new book.

 

How fun it is to turn 7!

Some old friends who were in town for the ball, rode back home with us and got to stay the week. Last time Matt was here, we had just looked at this property when it was for sale. Here’s the post. Everyone’s grown up so much since then!

 

Of course, music is a must with the privilege of having a one-man-band in the house.

 

Couch buddies.

 

Enoch loves music!

 

Mom and Beks.

 

Dad.

 

Listening.

 

“Dashing thru the snow…in my rusty Chevrolet….”

 

“Please….”

 

Something was good enough to lick the pot.

 

“Hi!”

 

Michael with baby (who is mesmerized by the fan).

 

“Hangin’ out with friends…..

 

….over a cup of Joe.”

 

Breakfast (if they last that long).

 

“Ello.”

 

Monkey.

 

Mountain man and Cowboy.

 

Playing Isaac’s Game.

 

Seriousness.

 

Cute.

 

 

“Hungry…..hungry…..hippo?” “Mickey Mouse?”

 

LOL!

 

“Acorn!!!”

 

“You got any other stories? Tell us another one.”

 

Michael kept us in stitches with his hilarious police stories.

 

Thanks y’all, for coming to hang out with us! Come back anytime.

 

Classy.

 

Arrived at the M.’s Farm Friday afternoon.

 

Soup is served.

 

 

Kitchen pose.

 

Sisters.

 

Greetings.

 

Friends.

 

The joy of grandkids.

 

The F. Family helped teach and call the dances this year. Friday night we got to run thru the dances and practice some.

 

“Yeah…we’re gonna need a lot of practice here.”

 

Only part of the family was there that night (the rest were coming the next day)….so Bekah and I traded out with Ethan.

 

Late night “decorating for the ball” party.

 

Fiddlin’.

 

Saturday morning there was a Bridal shower for Bethany at Rachel’s house.

 

Everything was set up so nicely……

 

…and the food was yummy!

 

 

 

Listening to encouragement from the Mothers.

 

Us two….

 

We love you, Bethy! So excited for you and Danny as y’all set up a new household.

 

Soaking in the sunshine.

 

“Where the green grass grows…”

 

Relaxing.

 

 

It was so nice when the rest of the family arrived!

 

We missed you, Grace!

 

Volleyball. (in case you were guessing)

 

It’s now the first day of 2012 and we ordered pizza after church.

 

“I chipped my fingernail the other day.”

 

Zach.

 

“Oooo…..you don’t say?”

 

 

Catching up with old friends.

 

“This is fun.”

 

“Uhhh….can I take your picture?”

 

 

“Ummm…let me see what we’re going to do next.”

 

Lauren and Adeline.

 

Go, Mom and Dad!

 

A bunch of lazy cheerleaders.

 

Gettin’ serious.

 

Kennie.

 

Grace.

 

“Art” by Bekah.

 

Go, Lisë!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So grateful for friends and family to spend time with and encourage each other in the Lord!

 

Photos by: SRP & Campbell R.

Okay…now I know you people are all here just for the pictures, but I don’t want to proceed without thanking the Morton family for opening up their home to everyone and once again hosting a fun, Christ-centered ball! It was a blast. We love y’all!

 

The night had arrived……

 

Mr. Michael welcomes everyone and starts the story and introduction time.

 

 

Noah was the MC, he kept the evening running smoothly.

 

Momma looked extra beautiful that night.

 

“Run back to the house and grab…..”

 

This year we had “servants” who did a wonderful job taking care of all the behind-the-scenes tasks.

 

The magnificent spread!

 

Here we are.

 

Handsome Dad.

 

 

Watch out for the Fashion Police.

 

LOL!

 

Our dance leaders.

 

We thank God for His protection and safety to the L. family.

 

Prayer time.

 

Our hosts.

 

 

“And Daisy’s coming as…..nobody”.

 

Gorgeous.

 

The K. Fam.

 

Stealing nuts.

 

The Newlyweds.

 

“What….there’s a loose thread on my dress? OMW…well get it off then!”

 

Dashing…debonair…..

 

The handsome Spanish couple.

 

Mingle time.

 

Choco-latte.

 

Their famous smiles.

 

Britt. (you remind me of my cousin in this picture…which is a compliment. )

 

Giggle…giggle…giggle.

 

“I just ate a what?”

 

Queen Esther attended by her two maid servants.

 

Let’s dance, people.

 

 

Doesn’t this picture just make your heart melt into a puddle? I loved all my little newsies.

 

“O yes dahling. I totally agree. Smashing party.”

 

Lil’ cowboy with his Momma.

 

Presenting……the Queen.

 

Ethan ate one too. “Just doesn’t quite go down right.”

 

All the little girls.

 

 

Infamous Wally.

Friends.

 

Couples advice.

 

“Alright men…..We attack the enemy from the rear. And Eric Liddel…..you just run. Ok?”

 

Daddy catching up with the L’s. (Hey B. What are you doing back there?)

 

 

“Buy me last pape, ma’am?”

 

 

 

Lovely Aunt Lisa.

 

Father & Son.

 

“Come with me wife. I know the way!”

 

We love you, Marfa.

 

 

We were very colorful this year.

 

 

 

We love and missed y’all so much Decker Fam!!!

 

 

 

Awesome costume, Ashburn!

 

Carryin’ the banner.

 

It’s almost midnight and the sharing time begins.

 

 

 

 

 

Winding down.

 

 

 

 

 

The two Esthers.

 

Live music.

 

 

“Oh, that’s funny right there.”

 

All the Spanish costumes.

 

Signing off……

 

……good-night.

 

Love, Everyone

In the car after church.

 

About to go caroling in the neighborhood.

 

The “Happy Birthday” song was heard again….

 

…..when someone turned 11.

 

Just being normal.

 

Chef Enoch.

 

We didn’t lack any in sweets…..

 

……and desserts around here.

 

Something’s interesting.

 

Gabe.

 

We’ve haven’t been to a Christmas Eve service in a long time…so we decided to have our own.

 

Light ‘er up.

 

 

Singing hymns.

 

 

 

Do not laugh. Will spill wax on cushion. Very bad idea.

 

 

Our Christmas morning (which was really the 24th).

 

Breakfast.

 

 

Oooolala…don’t ask me what they’re doing.

 

Bros.

 

Dig in. Dad got all the boys sling shots.

 

He got us a sing stand that you can hook your ipod into.

 

 

He also got us a mandolin to add to our instrument collection.

 

Go Momma!

 

The stage.

 

After making this mess…..

 

…..we got dressed…..

 

….and went outside to play Ultimate Frisbee and enjoy the 69 degree weather.

 

Superman.

 

Handsome child.

 

 

 

Nemo-mimo.

 

New game.

 

This is one hilarious game!

 

“All that work watching y’all play…wore me out!”

 

Mom made some butter with our fresh cream. Wow-zer….look how bright yellow!

 

Well, that about sums up our December….

On the 25th we all climbed into our big sleigh and went over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house.

 

Time to open presents!

 

They look like they haven’t gotten their presents yet.

 

Sisters and best friends.

 

Eman and Sweet Papa. (not that you aren’t sweet too, Eman.)

 

 

“Baby’s First Christmas” *precious moments*

 

Girl picture.

 

 

Visitin’.

 

 

Dan helping Papa.

 

Such loving Grandparents.

 

Love~Grace

A couple of weekends ago we had the joy of having the Stephens family over. It had been a couple of years since we saw them last and all their kids had grown so much! We had such a blast with y’all (the late night talks were the best! J) -come back and see us soon!

 

Crocheting.

 

Miss Maddie- a little girl amongst many little boys. J

 

Playing together.

 

Giving a house tour.

 

 

Getting to hold the baby.

 

His new balance act.

 

Gathering around the ipad.

 

Go here to see what we did Saturday afternoon. I love my sister’s pictures! Aren’t they awesome?

 

After supper in the evening.

 

Hanging out.

 

Don’t bite on your shirt Ethan.

 

Talking around the table

 

Dessert!! The best part of the day.

 

Me, making a mess apple pies.

 

Somebody’s grumpy.

 

Doing festive Christmas “stuff”.

 

Enoch with his Pa. Goodness… does that child get cuter every day?

 

Brian trying to sneak a snack from the kitchen.

 

Playing Guesstures…haha, I love this game!

 

 

Brian, showing us how he puts on his shoes each morning. JK J

 

Noah: “This, right here’s….my bellybutton.”

 

“Hmmm.. what is it?”

 

Sister Act.

 

I love these two girls.

 

*Laughter*

 

Somebody’s gotten too hot.

 

“Pimple…right here!”

 

All dressed up for church the next morning.

 

A beautiful mother- inside and out.

 

I am so blessed and thankful for the wonderful family and friends the Lord has blessed with me. He is so good!

May you all have a blessed “after Christmas” week. As you take down your decorations and keep listening to Christmas music (I don’t want to stop yet either!). Oh, and then we still have new years! So fun! I can’t wait… Well, I’m gonna scoot…Love to all and to all a goodnight, Grace Parris