Christmas Day, December 25, 2011

Family, Food, and Fun!!

Who could ask for more for Christmas? 
It was wonderful to have all of our family here on Christmas Day.
Gracie read the Christmas story from the Bible to us -
the reason we celebrate 
Christmas--the birth of our Savior and Lord.
The food was good and blessed before we ate.

Rudy and my daughter-in-law Christy

Nathan the baby of the bunch had the largest package
and was quite anxious to open it.

My David, Daddy to our kids, Grandpa to our grands.

Gillan, our first grandchild - sitting in the rocking chair

we gave him for his first Christmas - 1998.

He sure has grown.

 

Granddaughter Gracie with her daddy, Rudy - my first born.

Checking out the Apples to Apples game.

Craig, Nathan and Katie

Son-in-law Craig in the blue tee shirt below and Andrew

grinning, always have fun playing games.

They had a serious Monopoly game going.

Taking a break from the crowd???

Awe, my daughter Katie with Andrew - her middle son.

 

"My Boy"

Gracie and her Mom

Joshua playing with my Nook Color.
At one point about half of the family was on
some kind of technical gadget.  Myself included,
of course.

Nathan had lots of help from his brothers Josh
and Andrew.

Grandpa got involved with the toys too.
Someone is missing....oh it is me...
I am always behind the camera.  I plan it that way.

A Blast from the Past

Wow, I stumbled across this picture yesterday looking for something else.

This is reaching way back to days gone by.

Bacone College Nursing Graduate - 1975

 

I have had many nursing experiences since that day.

Always proud to be a nurse!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY

TO YOURS!

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

The gladness of Christmas give you hope,

The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

Author unknown

Happy Birthday Son-in-Law!!

Happy Birthday to my son-in-law, Craig.  He is a good guy.  I had a birthday in October and he painted my two white hall walls, much in need for some color and fresh paint.

The painting was great, but he does much more.  Most importantly, he loves and cares for my daughter and grandchildren.  He is a faithful Christian husband and father. And, he does much more. He also cleans floors, helps around the farm when needed, runs errands, smokes the best meat, and he can be very funny and entertaining. He keeps the kids, plays with them and teaches them things. It even looks like in the last picture he is standing with David to help him think - ??? maybe, I don't know.  I am sure there is more, but I don't want to give him the big head.

Thanks Craig for all you do.  We love you!! Happy Birthday!

Catching Up with This and That

Wow, I have several things to share today from the past weeks.  I still plan to post pictures of the cattle auction from October, but that will need to be a post all its own.  We had only our immediate family for Thanksgiving this year.  We missed seeing the rest of the extended family.  Below is a surprise Lego creation from Josh.  He changed the Thanksgiving display to Christmas by the end of the day.  What a creative and busy young boy he is. 

Here are all my "grands" - I am so glad to have an updated picture because they are growing and changing so fast.  Our only girl....Gracie girl is obviously on the back row standing, with Andrew beside her.  In front is Gillan, the oldest grandson, Nathan the youngest, and Joshua.  I never cease to be amazed at God's creation.  Each one of them are so unique, with different gifts, talents and personalities.  They are more fun than a "barrel of monkeys".  I love the grands!

My daddy had another birthday, November 4th.

He is 93 and still counting.

Andrew celebrated his 8th birthday, November 21st.

He is a happy boy!!

We mixed business with a little pleasure last week.

We went to Seneca, MO. first to tour the Milnot/J.M. Smuckers plant.

Milnot is the receiving plant for our milk.  David is still president

of the dairy cooperative who markets our milk and he wanted to see the operation.  It was most interesting.

We then made our way to Branson where we stayed a couple of nights before going to Springfield. We made a quick tour of the College of the Ozarks. The pictures below are of the tractor museum on campus. The campus is an amazing place.  They have a small dairy operation and raise some hogs.  Students due most of the work on the farms in exchange for tuition.  What a great concept! I really wish I could find one of these old tractor seats to decorate.

Please see the items below and scroll on down to see what Josh and Nathan did while waiting for Andrew to return from the hospital.  Andrew had a bad bicycle wreck while camping at Branson.  He is doing well now, but he had several stitches in his chin and a broken jaw...ouch!  Nathan was a live wire during the wait in our motel room.  

For some reason blogspot is not allowing me to put space between the pictures and type between the pictures below the museum pictures.  Please scroll on down and see Josh and Nathan and then the video of our little monkey.


We did travel on to Springfield after a meal at Lamberts in Ozark.  David had his dairy cooperative meeting the next morning...thus the business and pleasure trip.

Where Did the Time Go?

Awe....aren't they just the cutest?  Gillan and Gracie in my front yard....
many moons ago.

Sorry Christy for grabbing your profile picture from face-book.  I think I took this picture and have a copy around here somewhere.  Wow, the years roll by.  Gillan is now 14 and Gracie,12.  I miss those fun times, but we still enjoy a good visit....never too old for "Grandma", I hope!

Special Friends

Donna, Beverly, and me

 

I love this picture!  I hope you ladies like it too!

Thanks for all the fun times and friendship.

CATS

There are cats of all sizes and colors around this farm, but these two boys adore these cats.  Josh is holding "Timmy" who is only a few months old -
this cat is going to be HUGE.  I am not a big cat lover, but Timmy is a beautiful cat.

 

 Andrew is holding "Lucy" and he loves her so much.

Okay, Lucy is really cute too!

MY SISTER

Hero of the Week

CAROLE ANN BEACH

She accidentally found a lump on her own that confirmed a diagnosis in July 2009.  Carole Ann relied on her faith & always knew she would get well.  "Lots of prayers went up for me.  A lot of good words were said to me everyday on Facebook by my friends," she shared.  Her hero is her husband whom she "couldn't have made it without.  He spoiled me."  Carol says, "It is important to get wonderful doctors you trust.  I have been very well taken care of." ECONOMY PHARMACY IS PROUD TO HONOR CAROLE ANN BEACH  AS OUR HERO OF THE WEEK!

THE SOLID ROCK

We had some bulldozer work done around the farm recently.  David has always
wanted this rock moved up from the bottom ground and he finally had it moved.  The rock is much bigger than it looks in the picture and it has the beauty of the moss growing on it. The rock has been in the bottom forever I guess, and it was sitting flat upon a point of another rock - somewhat suspended...very unique setting.

Now the solid rock has a new resting spot.

Things are changing around this farm.  We are having a registered Jersey dairy cattle sale, Thursday, October 27th, 2011.  There will be fewer cows, lower debt, less income, and fewer workers.  Yes, I think things are changing.  Change is often a good thing.  David has labored for years....working and managing this dairy farm and beef cattle since 1978. David has done a wonderful job on this farm and should feel extremely proud of the care he has given to Gods animals.  I am and have always been very proud of him.  Thank you David for your determination, love and care for not only the animals, but for me and our family.  We love you!!!

We do have some anxiety about the change and what the future holds for us. We don't know just what is next...but, we do know who holds the future. My thoughts this morning about the "big" rock, brought the old hymn posted below to my mind.

THE SOLID ROCK

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

—Edward Mote (1797-1874)

I have been thinking....with all of the changes taking place--maybe we need a new farm name.  We have been identified as Boyer Farms or Boyer Dairy in the past.  With the beautiful solid rock at the front of the entry to our home, I think we shall be called the "Solid Rock" Farm.  Of course, I have not presented this brilliant idea to the boss yet.  We will see.

All things work together to those who love the Lord!

Great Words to Live By

A friend just posted this on facebook today.  What a great guide to live by.
I could sure stand to implement these action phrases in my daily life.  All ten just sort of hit me right between the eyes.

Happy Birthday Katie!!

My baby girl.......

has turned into a beautiful young woman!

And now, she has babies of her own.

Happy Birthday Katie!!

You are a joy and a blessing!

Thank you for all you do for your family

and for us.

We love you very much! 
What is your desire???  Soda Steve's or Cherry Berry
Cherry Berry or Soda Steve's
Oh, I know you....both!!!!

Happy Birthday Grandson

Happy 14th Birthday 

Gillan!!

http://youtu.be/IvgYJgzUxc0

I can't believe how very fast you have grown up Gillan.  You are a wonderful grandson....my first grandchild and your birth blessed me very much.  I was so anxious to have a grandbaby.

You are maturing into such a fine young man.  I pray you continue your faithful walk with the Lord and your talents continue to abound.  I often replay all of the YouTube videos of you, Gracie, and Katie. They always make me smile. I love that little grin on your face in the video posted above too.

The cross with faith written on it behind you in the picture is a good thing to remember.  Keep the faith and remember the cross!  Hope to see you soon.

Have a wonderful day!!! 

We all love you very much!

Grandma and Grandpa

10-01-11

Oh "Deer"!

The deer have really taken up residency here lately.  They have always been around, but now they think this is their home....and I am perfectly okay with that.  I first saw these two fawn outside my big window...running towards the front yard...and there they stayed for a while.  I snapped these photos from the narrow window by the front door.  They didn't seem to mind that I snapped several pictures.  I only got one shot (picture you know) of the one below, because she moved out of my view.  I knew they would leave if I dared to open the door.  A camera is the only thing we use around here to "shoot" deer.

 This one gave a glance to see if it was safe.

Then she or he??--went on about his or her business.

Just another reason to enjoy country life!

Happy Birthday Nathan!!!

Nathan is "3"!!

 Birthday boy was quite excited about the cake, candles, Toy Story plates

and napkins, and oh yes, the gifts.

He is still a dimpled darling!! 

He keeps us in stitches.....so funny and dramatic!

We love you Nathan!!

Jersey Cows

Oh....Hello!!!  MOO!  Moollo!

Fun Loving Kids

I just love these kids!!!
They are Grand!!