No surgery today

For those of you who have asked and prayed, Andre was not able to have his scheduled knee repair surgery today. The doctor was concerned about the condition of the skin surrounding the original surgery site and wanted to wait a bit longer to do anything, in case of infection. We are both really disappointed as this was an ideal time for several reasons but are trying to be patient. The surgery will only take place after January 14. Thanks for all the emails and prayers!

Bowling

On Friday night we all went bowling together, a family tradition. This was the first time we had little Michaela along. She even bowled (with a little help from her Daddy)! Andre didn't join in as he was trying to be careful of his knee, but was the official photographer for the evening :-)

Christmas Doings

Thought I'd post some photos of what we've been doing this Christmas week. On Sunday after church we spent a sunny afternoon at home, preparing things for the week ahead:



Monday night saw us out to dinner with some dear friends(we had a great time, thanks Wilhelms!):

On Wednesday we met up with more friends as they came through the Atlanta airport and we waited to pick up Mum and Dad (so glad we got to see you, McDowells!):

Our special Christmas Eve, just the two of us:

At the Christmas Day service at church, Andre obligingly became a shepherd:

All the family together for Christmas dinner:

Lighting the Christmas pudding:

Sean, Nessa and Michaela:

Dad being Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus!):

Us with our Christmas stocking...thanks Mum and Dad!

The cutest Santa ever

Our little niece is celebrating her 1st Christmas this year...Merry Christmas Michaela Grace!

Ringing the changes

Not one to put all my creative energies into blogging, I did concede to spruce up our little blog for Christmas. Something fun to satisfy my craving to create, while not having much time to do so!

Reception photos

The reception was held at a lovely place called "The Old Woolen Mill". Since it proved to be slightly more busy for me and Andre we only took three photos! Here are the bride and groom enjoying their dinner.

The cakes

Us with our good friends, Conrad and Myriam

Wedding photo shoot

Mr. and Mrs. John and Yuliya Parrot!

With the bridesmaids and flower-girls

With the Bride and Groom's families

With the parents

Yuliya and her mom, Lyuda

The Yakovlevs :)


Andre and me, his sister Olga and her husband Vladimir and his Mom

Mama and Grandpa

Mama and her sister, Lyuda

The Ceremony

The wedding ceremony went smoothly and we managed to get everyone (including all 30 family members who were in the processional!) down the aisle in the right order and without anyone tripping over the aisle runner! Here are a few photos:

Me with our niece, Nina

Andre and his sister, Olga

Our nieces, Anna and Danielle

Yuliya coming down the aisle with her pastor, Jim

The groom

Family Wedding

Andre and I have spent the last few days in Cleveland, TN (just outside Chattanooga) with Andre's family. His cousin Yuliya got married on Friday. His sister Olga and her family came down from Pennsylvania and it was really lovely to see them again.

Here are some photos from the rehearsal on Thursday. I was the wedding coordinator and let's just say I'm glad I don't do that professionally!!

The "organized" chaos at the church.

Yuliya and John practicing their vows.

The rehearsal dinner

And since it was Nina's (Andre's niece) 6th birthday as well on Thursday, we celebrated with cake at the rehearsal dinner.

Michaela's Mince Pie filling

Last week we introduced Michaela to one of our Christmas family traditions: making a big bowl of mince pie filling (fruit, applesauce etc.). While the big girls measured and mixed, she was allowed to stir the bowl and soon got the hang of it!

"Now, what do they want me to do?"

"Hmm, what IS this stuff?!"

"Ok, if I could just get to that spoon..."

"Ooh, sticky."

"Let's have a taste!"

"That was fun Mum!"

Christmas Cheer

On Tuesday, Andre and I had a date night, out for Asian food and then home to decorate. Since our apartment doesn't have much room for a tree, this is the second year we've done up the fireplace nicely. And again, we're pleased with the result!

Our new "wall art"

While in Peoria, Mum and I visited a local antique store and I found this most interesting piece which I couldn't resist:

It had to come home with us and now graces the wall above our couch. Here it is decorated for Christmas:

P.S. Getting it on the plane raised eyebrows at security!