Burnett Family

Christmas is definitely one of my favorite times of year! We have some really fun traditions, I love being with family, plus I get to bake … A LOT! :) No, really, I think you’ll be able to see why it’s so special to me after you look at all these pictures – enjoy!

 

The twins and I got to accompany some friends to Branson earlier this month. There’s a lot I could say, but to sum it all up, we had a VERY good time! A big highlight was that we unexpectedly all got free tickets to Silver Dollar City-it was so pretty all decorated up for Christmas, and the roller-coasters were terrifying  great!

 

When we got back home, most of our family got to sing and play for the sweet folks down at the Senior Citizen Center here in town.

Tradition: We always go Christmas caroling to our neighbors, and around town. (including the local police station and sometimes to random folks we’ve never met =) Our list is getting bigger. It seems to be a real blessing to others, but sometimes I think we are the ones who feel the most blessed by it.

As I said earlier, we did LOTS of Christmas baking. =)

Christmas caroling.

 

Tradition: For several years now, mom has put together a themed Christmas tea for just our family. This year the theme was ornaments. She did an AMAZING job with spazzy decorations and lots of good food – we all really enjoyed it!

 

After the tea, Dad read from a Christmas devotional, then we opened stockings and presents. With both the older boys working, and well, I guess some us girls have taken plenty of trips this year, it makes me appreciate even more when we can all be together – I love my family.

 

For the first time, our little church group held a Christmas Eve candlelight service, complete with beautiful carols and formal dresses. It was lovely.

  

We were encouraged to memorize Luke 2:1-20, this was a blessing to me.

 

Tradition: Daddy writes up our annual Christmas letter. We sent out 106 copies this year! :)

We had a special time celebrating at Grandma’s house on Christmas day after church. We are so blessed to have godly grandparents who live close and love the Lord.

A few of us did some duck hunting, we got…one. :) (Carinna didn’t hunt, she brought our dog to retrieve the ducks, and Dad carried a rifle hoping we’d spook a doe.)

Some special things we do at Grandma’s on Christmas is: Eat Grandpa’s amazing chex-mix and open stockings.

  

We taught and learned some new games this time. It was fun and we had some pretty good laughs! =)

 

On the 26th, we drove up north a little ways to welcome the Paine family to Oklahoma. They are moving here from Chicago. We had a great time fellowshipping, playing volley- ball, and playing games. We are glad they live “close” and are definitely looking forward to the next time we can get together with them!

On the 27th we celebrated with mom’s side of the family at Granny’s house.

Yay! We remembered to sing carols this year! :)

It’s pretty fun, there are 5 great-grandkids now, which means there are little people around again! =)

 

The winners of a game with their prizes. :)

Twins holding twins. Carinna has Nickolas Patrick and Maggie has Natalie Shae.

 

Special traditions at Granny’s are: Eating her delicious homemade cinnamon rolls and playing white elephant.

“ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

What is your favorite snack? Grandpa’s chex mix and eggnog – can’t wait for Christmas! :)

What is one of the characteristics of God He has most made known to you this year? I am so grateful He is the Purifier and Refiner of my heart

Name five things on your happy list. Rainy days, hearing from a good friend, drinking chai tea on a chilly morning, late night talks with my family, the night sky

What is one thing you are really looking forward to the most this next year? The exciting adventure of walking one step at a time with Christ down uncharted paths in my life

If you could vacation anywhere you’ve never been.. for a week, where would it be? Either somewhere in Europe, like England or Scotland, or a cabin in the Rocky Mountains :)

Happy 23rd Birthday, Hannah! May the Lord reveal Himself to you in deeper ways this year as you seek Him with all of your heart and soul. Your passion for Jesus and servant’s heart are such an example and inspiration to us. We love you bunches!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This past weekend, on the first day of fall, we celebrated! Boy has it been a hot, dry, Indian summer here, and the cool weather and rain the Lord has blessed us with have been wonderful! With the wonderful arrival of this season came a great excuse reason to cook up a bunch of fun food! ;) It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun too. I’ve included links for all the recipes we made, in case anyone is interested. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ya get a little bit of this and a little bit of that. =)

 

Pumpkin pie dip with pie crust “dippers”

 

Chicken Veggie Appetizers

 

Sweet Potato Cranberry muffins         Baked Coconut Shrimp

Saucy Meatballs                               Pesto Pinwheels

 

Caprese Skewers

Apple Pot Stickers                                  Sweet Onion Cheese Spread Hannah made

                                                                this, and it was one of my favorites!!!

Bacon Wrapped Tator Tots Out of all the food, this one was a big hitter!

Along with the normal version of the Tator Tot recipe (cheese and tabasco), I also tried the variation with a pickle and dipped it in brown sugar, and those were REALLY good!

 

Holiday Bark                                             Fried Corn Balls

Turtle Tassies

 

The faithful dish-washers. :)

Happy Fall Ya’ll! =)

 

For our second round of posting birthdays, we have decided to do a simple interview with the birthday person…

Fun Facts:

-What is your favorite snack? Fruit or Cajun snack mix

-What is one characteristic of God He has most made known to you this year? Self-Control

-Name 3 things on your happy list = Happy family, clean house, smell of onions and garlic cooking

-What one thing did you really enjoy doing this past year? Some of my favorite things in the last year: trips with some of my favorite people…daughters, my mom, and sisters.

-If you could go on vacation to a place you’ve never been, where would it be? Ireland and/or Switzerland

Happy Birthday Mom! We love you!

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Proverbs 18:22

On May 2, 2011, Cheryl and I celebrated 30 years of marriage. I say celebrated because even though we have had our share of challenges in thirty years, the blessings far exceed the difficulties. It has been the character of the Lord Jesus Christ in my wife that has allowed us to endure. She has demonstrated His love, forgiveness, faithfulness, generosity, flexibility, honor, and virtue, time and time again.

While I wanted to do something really special (like an Alaskan cruise or something), other circumstances dictated a less extravagant celebration. However, our children through their love, creativity, honor, discernment, enthusiasm, gratefulness, and sensitivity surprised us with a special evening.
I rose early May 2nd and left my wonderful wife over thirty "Happy Anniversary" type notes throughout the house that she would find as she followed her normal morning routine. I brought home a dozen roses for each decade of marriage and took her to dinner at the place of her choice – Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ.

We took a scenic drive home, determined to arrive home before dark – we must be getting old! :) The approach to the house revealed the van gone; my thought was, the children have gone to the local grocery store to get ice cream and root beer or some special treat. Then, we noticed the porch light on and a note on the door:

 

Determined to obey the note, we entered the door finding a romantic atmosphere we could never have created, even on an Alaskan cruise. Flower petals graced the floor, the TV had a fireplace video playing (believe it or not, it was a cool day, low in the 30s, high in the 50s), and there was a handmade sign: Johnny and (heart) Cheryl.

We were amazed at the sparkling cleanliness of the house, the sweet fragrance of a scented candle, and the romantic decor. The flower petals led the way to our bedroom (Cheryl has decorated our room to give the feel of a Victorian B&B already) where we found soft music playing, a Bible open to Song of Solomon, a tea table by the love seat with Cheryl’s favorite tea, chocolate cookie dough truffles sprinkled with Xs and Os, and our album of pictures from our wedding day 30 years ago.

We felt wonderfully special, romantic, and blessed. Some of the children had made other drawings or notes and I had already placed another anniversary card on the bed pillows before we left for dinner. We enjoyed the scene and each other as we snuggled on the couch, sipped our tea, indulged in the truffles and reminisced through our wedding day pictures. But, most of all we delighted in the blessing of the Lord in His goodness to us during thirty years of marriage and the eight children He has given to keep us feeling special.

Thank you, God. Thank you, children.

"…rejoicing in the wife of my youth…" Proverbs 5:18-19

Love,
Dad