Sunday, January 09, 2011

Dothan Trip


Dothan, Alabama has quickly become a new home away from home for me (Erika), and what a restful 12 days we had with Steve and Cindy in their home.  Mornings were spent sleeping in late and then making a brunch while watching HGTV, TLC's Cake Boss, or working out on the Gazelle.  Just having time to do life with the sweet Strickland's really got Will and me emotionally, spiritually, and physically ready for 2011.

Creativity is born with children.  Anna Kate and I had so much fun playing with some old toys that I used to play with while growing up.  Do you remember the brightly colored star shaped plastic toys--each arm has a little ball.  I connected them together to make this little person about as tall as AK.  She loved it, giving him hugs and kisses.  She is getting so big and soon she'll be 2!!! 

One night at home, I (Will) decided to finally try a few photography tricks that I had been wanting to do.  The above one is just one of MANY pictures that I took using homemade stencils (my brother in law made this one) that were placed directly on my lens while I purposely took blurry pictures of twinkle lights.  The result is that each tiny blurry light takes on the shape of whatever the stencil is.  So much fun!


The next three pictures were just some light painting fun that we had.

  
 


 Getting to see old friends is always a favorite part of Christmas!


Here's a picture of our updated missions board at Dothan Christian Fellowship.
We were blessed to be able to lead worship here while at home 
and always enjoy being reunited with this family.

Monday, January 03, 2011

tis the season

It's time for Christmas.....or...I guess Christmas is over....and these are late, but never too late!
 The halls were decked...with lights cascading down the railing.
 
...new stockings were hung by the fireplace...with lights and my grandma Helen Hydeen's handmade Swedish rosmaling painted ornaments.  
W.E. 2010 Ornament---First year married.  It's a batik painted wooden bird from Hands Around the World shop in Orange City, IA.
W.E. 2009 Ornament---Christmas was spent apart last year so this was the first time this little guy was displayed..... showing his chubby penguin cuteness!

I wanted to highlight just a few ornaments because we didn't have a tree this year.  I put some Christmas lights around the three green windows in our living room and just hung a few ornaments behind.  It turned out really great. 
I brought the little Christmas hats from Norway.  They belong to Jule Nisse....Christmas Elves that help take care of the animals in the barn on Christmas Eve.  :)
Now that Christmas is over and we have taken down our decorations...we miss the festive and extra light that those little bulbs bring!

It was fun to celebrate Christmas as a married couple---8 months in!!  Our time in Alabama with the Strickland family for 12 days was restful.  We'll probably go to Iowa for Christmas next year and maybe get a tree.  Maybe. 

...and Happy New Year
Because this post was finished AFTER Christmas and AFTER the new year,
we are already 9 months married and so in love. 
We continue to REALLY enjoy each other and speak words of truth over our marriage.

What's 2011 look like for W.E.Chronicles---
relax

create

laugh

hope


May the Lord bless you this year friends!
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