Robinson Ramblings

Look who is sitting up - with a little help! We tried taking a family picture on Christmas Eve - this is the best picture of the bunch. It would have been better if we had a person to point and shoot instead of a delayed flash but what can you do . . . .

On Christmas Eve we had a birthday cake for Jesus. We sang Happy Birthday and Henry helped by blowing out the candles! He said, "Is it my birthday Becca said, "It is Jesus' birthday." Henry said, "Yes, it is my birthday and Jesus' birthday!" He also "helped out" by testing the frosting before cutting into the cake. You never know if it will be good!! Here is a picture of Kelly crocheting a snowflake for a gift. Kelly crochets all the time now & makes beautiful gifts! She made me a scarf with a delicate pattern that she developed herself. She is very talented!

Henry was so excited to get a teepee, tunnel, and dome tent that can be connected to each other (or played with separately). Auntie Hollie and Auntie Kelly put it together for him. He was THRILLED!

Christmas Day has come and gone but the reason for the season is the same and I still have the Christmas spirit!! We had a marvelous time on Christmas Eve at Becca and Brent's house and a wonderful Christmas morning at home with Hollie and Tyree and Kelly and Jason. Vera and Doug DeMay invited us over for dinner that evening and we enjoyed sweet fellowship with them.

It is hard to believe that Christmas Eve is here! Tonight we are going to go to Becca and Brent's house for our traditional fondue dinner. Everyone in the Robinson family will be there along with all of the men in our girl's lives. We love them all! Yesterday Rich and I had the privilege of watching Henry and Jack. Here are some fun pictures from our day.

This year is a bit different. I don't have many presents to buy or gifts to wrap. We couldn't put up all of our Christmas decorations because our place isn't big enough. We are cutting back in many of our usual Christmas traditions. However, in spite of that - I am really into the spirit of Christmas. Christmas carols have been floating around the house and I've been meditating on the reason Christ came to earth so many years ago. He came so He could die for me (and you). What a privilege to know the real Christ of Christmas - not the baby in the manger (although that is part of the story) but the Christ who conquered sin and death so that I may have eternal life! Wow, that is something to celebrate! So at this Christmas season, I am reading the prophecies in Isaiah and Micah about the coming Messiah and the story that never grows old from Matthew and Luke. I am thanking God for his amazing gift to us - His Son!

Brent graduated today from Police Academy - he is now finished with his 10 weeks of living at the Idaho State Policy facility while attending post! He will be back on the Caldwell Police force on Monday. The whole family is excited that his new schedule is working days (for this rotation anyway). We are very proud of him. I didn't have my camera with me but I'll get some pictures from his mom and dad & post them later.

Our dear friend, Ruthann Greenwall Womble, went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 10:45 a.m. She had been in incredible pain (and homebound) for the past 15 years or so. It is wonderful to know that she is free from pain! "Where, o death, is your victory? Where, o death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Cor. 15:55 & 56) I know that Ruthann is rejoicing with her Saviour today. What a wonderful Christmas she will have. However, she will be greatly missed by her husband, David. We will be praying for him and for her family. Goodbye, Ruthann! See you in glory!

On Saturday evening (Dec. 5) the whole family met at Jason's house (Kelly's boyfriend) and we celebrated Kelly's 24th birthday. We all brought pizza toppings and Jason made delicious homemade pizzas (with his own marinara and pesto sauces). Derrick and Susie Robinson came from Seattle for the weekend & joined in the festivities. Kelly put on a concert so that Derrick and Susie could hear her perform. A fun time was had by all!

We had such a great time with Derrick and Susie!They arrived on Friday evening about 5 pm. Hollie, Becca, Brent & the boys joined us for dinner and we talked and laughed and "caught up" on all the happenings in both the Robinson clans. Derrick and Susie stayed with Hollie & enjoyed her hospitality. However, they came over on Saturday morning for Swedish pancakes at our house! Rich and Derrick took Ferguson for a long walk while Susie and I went to Becca's to make Kelly's pink lemonade birthday cake. On Sunday afternoon Derrick and Susie treated the whole family to dinner at Olive Garden. Oh, we had such fun laughing & storytelling (as well as eating). It was such a treat to have this special family time!

We are still working on our room and Rich's office but they are beginning to take shape!

We had the Robinson Thanksgiving celebration on Friday evening. I went over to Hollie's on Friday morning and we cooked all day - we had such a great time!! The time of fellowship and thanksgiving with the whole family was very special!