Happy Birthday Evangeline

 Dear Friends,

The first family birthday of the year has come already! Evangeline has turned 11, and is becoming quite a young lady. It seems like just yesterday that she was toddling around and playing with way too many baby dolls.

We had a fun time celebrating her special day by opening presents, then visiting the Kansas City Toy and Miniature Museum.

 This little girl admiring a dollhouse is only five inches tall!

After the museum it was back home for birthday cake, which featured a pecan "cave horse" with blueberry eye.

Here's to a wonderful year!

Love,

Marqueta

Blessings for a New Year

Dear Friends,

We had a nice little "good riddance" bonfire on New Year's Eve, to say goodbye to the old, and move on to the new!

The children were given headlamps for Christmas, and used them for a little night-time sledding, as well.

Hyrum is ready for a New Year full of fun!

On New Year's Day, the children treated Mr. Graham and me to the annual Graham Family Nutcracker, which was loads of fun.

January is already starting to slip away from us, each day full of moments and work and moments of play. One of my resolutions is to hold my children and husband closer each day, and not let a day go by being so busy that I forget to look into their eyes and tell them how much I love them.

May your year be blessed as well,  my friends.

Love,

Marqueta

Christmas Blessings

Dear Friends,

Our dolls had a busy time getting ready for Christmas this year; it was quite the gift extravaganza!

Christmas morning found us humans somewhat bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!

I hope you found something nice to enjoy this Christmas, as well. Of course, the true Gift of the season is that of the birth of Jesus Christ. May His peace reside in your heart always.

Love,

Marqueta

Christmas is Coming!

Dear Friends,

Christmas is fast approaching, once again! It seems like we just put the trappings of last year's festivities away, yet indeed it has been another year gone by.

The tree is occupying its regular place, bringing joy to hearts young and old~

And the cats are making themselves handy as portable Christmas ornaments~

AnnaMarie is still busy making gorgeous hair decorations for the rest of us. She is also studying hair cutting from home, which will be an extra blessing for the menfolk of the family!

We've been squeezing in last-minute gifts, and planning when and where to bless the elderly at nearby nursing homes.

St. Nicholas Day ushers in the Christmas season, and we enjoyed putting out our boots with carrots in them for St. Nicholas' horse.

May you enjoy a season of love and joy, and find time in your busy schedule to ponder the gift of the Christ, which makes life possible.

Love,

Marqueta

It Was a Blessed Thanksgiving Day

 Dear Friends,

Happy late Thanksgiving to you! We spent the holiday here at Birdsong Cottage, with just our family this year. We have been recovering from a stomach bug that has moved through the family, and didn't want to share!

It was a very wet, rainy day, but it was warm and cozy inside, as we all worked together to make a meaningful meal and time together.

The girls and Frankie had a sleepover in our front room the night before Thanksgiving. They brought all of their bigger dolls and babies, so they could have a sleepover, too. I love that even my oldest girls still play with their younger siblings with their dolls; it is precious to see.

We hope that your Thanksgiving Day was full of bountiful blessings, as well. It is indeed wonderful to set apart a special day in giving thanks for all that we have been given .


Love,

Marqueta

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1.  Come, ye thankful people, come;
   Raise the song of harvest home.
   All is safely gathered in
   Ere the winter storms begin.
   God, our Maker, doth provide
   For our wants to be supplied.
   Come to God's own temple, come;
   Raise the song of harvest home.