We have had the prettiest fall week this past week. It has been cool but not real cold. The days have been really pleasant. I just wish it didn't get dark so early so I could get some outdoor work done on the week days.
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY ARE THINKING. All out of the blue the other day Ben said to Pauline, "I need a wife." She asked him, "Why is that? Do you need somebody to cook for you?" He replied, "Yeah, Mom and Dad say I can't marry you or Jenna."
CHRISTMAS PARADE. Cross Plains had its second annual Christmas parade Saturday. We were in the van when I told Ben where we were going. He said, "Oh! They'll throw out lots of candy. Dad, we need to go back and get our Trick or Treat bags!" The parade was one of several Christmas in Cross Plains activities scheduled for this weekend.
A FUN RIDE. Mr. Larry Pinson was shelling soybeans in the field behind our house Saturday. Ben wanted to ride on the combine so I took him out there and he rode for about 30 minutes. When I got him off he was one happy boy. I asked Mr. Larry if Ben said anything but he said Ben kept pretty quiet. As we were walking back to the house Ben told me he didn't say a word, "because I still pretty shy Dad."
A FUN AFTERNOON. After church yesterday Jenna went out to lunch with Pauline, Mom and Aunt Mar. Afterwards they attended a tea party with Lottie Moon and then went on a home tour sponsored by the Cross Plains Heritage Commission. (For those of you who aren't Baptist, Lottie Moon was a Baptist missionary in China back in the 1800s. Our Christmas season offering to support international missions is named in her honor. This tea party was a fun way to raise missions awareness for little girls.)
MORE CHRISTMAS IN CROSS PLAINS. The rain has moved in as of yesterday. Our church choir was scheduled to sing on the sidewalk in Cross Plains as part of the weekend festivities. The weather caused us to move inside the Methodist church. They sang some selections from the musical they will be performing next Sunday evening and did a great job!
WAY TO GO MORGAN. Speaking of Christmas music, yesterday morning at church my cousin, Morgan Swann, had a part in the service. She came on stage dressed as an expecting Mary. When she got in position the music started and she sang "Breath of Heaven" in sign language while a lady from the choir sang it vocally. Morgan, I was really proud of you!
TIS THE SEASON TO DECORATE AND DECORATE AND DECORATE. Okay, so all of our indoor decorations are up and we spent Saturday afternoon putting our nativity set up out in the yard. We also changed our decorations on the outside of the house. The greenery and bows we used to hang on our front columns have been replaced with branch garland with bows draped around our front porch and upstairs dormer just under the gutters. We have also put wreaths on all our forward facing windows.
Tonight we went over to Aunt Mar's and put up their Christmas tree. Vicki also packed the chili she was making for our supper so they wouldn't have to bother with fixing their supper. Tomorrow night we tackle Pauline's tree. Maybe this will wind the decorating phase up.
CAUGHT RED HANDED. Nate likes ornaments. He also knows he is not supposed to take them off the tree. Do you think this knowledge stops him? Vicki and I have both caught him holding an ornament. When he is discovered he tosses the ornament and runs. Vicki had better luck than I did as the ornament she caught Nate with was made of cloth. I had to go get the broom and dust pan.
Joe
