The Jolliff Family

Yep... he is my sweet thing for today:) Love this giggle grin while eating an apple! And that's a wrap on December and 2012!!

According to the pictures I have been seeing and the stories I have been reading about the midwest this week, our winter wonderland is well... nothing!  The weather has turned beautiful and we are so thankful.  So, our winter wonderland looks like 60 degree temperatures outside with the sun shining.  I even wore a t-shirt when I went on a walk.  No complaints, but I have seen pictures on Facebook from the lady who bought our house of our backyard and it certainly made me miss Pike Creek Blvd and the snow. We took advantage of our winter weather and took our boys outside on Friday.  The boys rode their bikes a long way and had a blast!! Andrew has gotten so good at his big bike. They took a break on their ride to scare off some big birds.  They both would tip toe as close as they could and then growl at them.  The birds were big and I was slightly afraid that their would be a repeat of "Birds" movie, but thankfully no! This is t...

The day that I picked my friends up we enjoyed some touring in a beautiful part of the country!  The sky was bright and blue that day!

"Who alone can save themselves, Their own souls could heal? Our shame was deeper than the sea, You grace is deeper still. You alone can rescue, you alone can save You alone can lift up from the grave You came down to find us, led us out of death To You alone belongs the highest praise. You, oh Lord, have made a way The great divide you heal For when our hearts were far away Your love went further still Yes, your love goes further still. We lift up our eyes, we lift up our eyes You're the Giver of Life. To You alone belongs the Highest Praise To You alone belongs the Highest Praise. To You alone." Matt Redman

I interrupt my normal December blog post to celebrate the 5th year birthday of The Jolliff Family Blog. Over the last 5 years I have had 855 blog posts and you all have looked at the blog 71,900 times.  Thank you! I am so thankful that the blog is a way for me to document our lives and the growth of our family and kids, because I know I haven't been so great at filling out baby books:)  The blog is truly my scrapbook and my pictures, a great way to keep track of memories and experiences. Our family and lives have changed so much in the last 5 years and I know that the next 5 years will be just as eventful.  One thing that has not changed, is the grace, mercy, and love our our Heavenly Father.    We have experienced moves, job changes, birth of children, goodbyes and hellos but through it all our Father has shown his great compassion and care for us.  We are so thankful!! Happy 5th Birthday Blog.  Here is to many more years!!

Truly no words can express how much fun the entire family has had with our friends that visited over some vacation time.  We have seen many sights, stayed up way too late, eaten tons of food, and laughed and laughed and laughed!! Having them come and share Christmas with us in our new home has been priceless.  They have loved on the boys so much, helped with dishes, cooked, and been great house guests!  We are privileged that they spent their vacation time with us! I don't know how long it will be until I see these three in the future but I know that friendship rooted in the bond of Christ doesn't fad.  I am thankful for these ladies in my life and our family has been blessed by their visit!

Our Christmas morning was very relaxed and fun, in fact our entire day has been fun:) The boys woke up super early and played, while the rest of us visited and laid around.  About 9 in the morning, after our friend made a yummy breakfast casserole, we opened up presents.  The boys did great waiting that long, they were very patient. The stocking were all laid out for them. The boys received a really cool motorcycle from West Africa made out of recycled tin cans. The boys, before picture opening! The boys received an awesome fire station and helicopter from our friends.  They were thrilled! Jacob received a big moving truck and was fascinated by the sound button. The boys received an individual gift from us and then 2 joint gifts.  The big gift was a firetruck they have been looking at in the toy store.  They were THRILLED!!  It was such fun. Stocking time! Pressing that button yet again:) The fi...

Tonight we went down to the festivities to celebrate the birth of Christ.  The weather is so beautiful and it was the perfect night to be out celebrating!  We have had such a fun time with our friends and our fun just continued tonight.  My friends had such a great time being in a crowd that size;) Both of the boys enjoyed fresh corn on the cob. There were so many people around the square tonight that the boys had to stay right with us or ride on shoulders. After we left the celebration, we headed to the place where the message baby Jesus was first declared.  We sang songs, listened to other groups singing, looked at the bright stars and it was a time to reflect on the gift of the Christ.   Such an amazing day that has increased my excitement for the gift of the Christ child.

We have had a couple really fun days with our visitors in town.  Today we did more touring and Jacob stayed outside with me and charmed some people.  The weather was beautiful today and Jacob had a great time running around. Then we headed to a glass blowing factory to buy some souvenirs.  Andrew and Sam were mesmerized by the glass blowers.  The glass blower shared with me that his family runs the business and showed me a picture taken 120 years ago of his great grandfathers blowing glass.  He let Andrew have a turn blowing as well! Then the man gifted both of the boys with swans. Sam was so proud to help!!  (I LOVE this picture, the people we live among are truly very generous and warm!!!) We have had such a great time since our friends arrived, it is special to have them here during this time of year.  The boys are loving all the extra attention and fun experiences.  Today was a fun day!