As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Friday, December 30, 2016

Memory-Making Moments {Christmas 2016}




Memory-making moments. 

There were many during this Christmas of 2016.

It was our first Christmas at Pineapple House! We so enjoyed the gathering space (twenty-one of us, and not a bit crowded), and we were grateful. It was also the first Christmas in many years that Ryan and his family were here to celebrate with us. How delightful that was!

It was a time of . . .

          gathering

          loving

          feasting

          rejoicing

          worshiping 

          giving

          celebrating the One who came to redeem! 



Christmas Eve

Those faces! 😁





Christmas Day





So blessed to share breakfast with our parents!








Gotta love a little boy with chocolate on his lips!


The latest edition of "What will Ryan do with his gift wrap today?"













One of the most meaningful parts of the day was the time of special music, 
singing and playing the story of Messiah come to earth!

Kristin accompanied four of her children as they sang a medley of "Away in a Manger" and "Happy Birthday to Jesus." So beautiful!

Ryan sang and played a stirring rendition of "Advent Suite,"

and then "Unto Us a Son is Given," with harmony added by his daughter Eve (9) and his wife Sarah.
Wonder-ful!

Bekah played "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (her recital piece). Owen (10) played "The Twelve Days of Christmas. And Nora (7) and Bekah played a piano duet of "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee."
Delightful!



And after a day of joyful celebration . . .

our bodies were spent, but our hearts were full!



15 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your 'first of many' lovely Christmas's in your new home, with us here.

    Have a wonderful 2017 ~ FlowerLady

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  2. Oh Cheryl. This is all so beautiful. I'm so thankful for your wonderful family.

    ps-
    You write beautiful posts. I tend to blather on daily. Something for me to think about.

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    1. You do not blather, friend! I am s-l-o-w (at writing and at everything else), so it takes me a while to get a post out.

      But thank you for your kind words!

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  3. Pineapple House has truly been blessed by your wonderful family! You have captured with your pictures and words a beautiful Christmas filled with wonder and Joy! God is Good!

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  4. As always soo wonderful. How I wish someone in our family had been blessed with the talent of playing (or singing) a musical instrument. I'd love to spend time doing just what you did.... but you should hear our Christmas "singing" lol. Glad your Christmas was a good one!

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  5. Thanks for sharing your Christmas with us. I love your photography and embellishments you put within your post. I quite enjoyed my time with you here today! God's goodness is obvious in your home. Merry Christmas!

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  6. Happy happy joy joy! So good to see your gatherings and the joy you shared together. How blessed we and you are to love the Lord together. The best of celebrations when we gift each other because He has gifted us with so much.

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  7. Cheryl your joy filled Christmas is so lovely to see. The Pineapple House suits you and your family. What a talented and loving family Christmas celebration. Ron's photo is very reminiscent of how both of us felt as our family celebration came to a close. ♥

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  8. Oh I loved seeing this day. The beauty of this post captures me and I love your dividers always and ever pointing to Him. I'd loved to hear the music, but I almost can.

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  9. I loved how you put all the photos together, it showed the true essence of your Holiday. Thank you for sharing I really enjoyed it

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  10. Oh Cheryl...I so enjoyed all of your family photos and the expressions you have captured on each face. I agree with Vee...the dividers just stitched everything else together so perfectly! You have one talented young lady on your hands...what a beautiful rendition of that beautiful carol! Happy New Year to you and your sweet family!

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  11. A most lovely time celebrating Christmas with your family. I wish I could hear the beautiful music you all enjoyed. Sending wishes for a very happy new year to you and your dear family!

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  12. Beautiful! Loved seeing all your lovely photos and the joy your family shared at Christmas. You have a lovely home and beautiful family!
    Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  13. I guess I missed this post but it is worth discovering. So beautiful, all of it. The scripture, your thoughts, photos, collages -- this was quite a lot of work to put together I'd think, but all the while you were remembering happy times together. I'd say your new house hosted your family Christmas beautifully! To God be the glory! Happy New Year and hope you've all stayed healthy.

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