Christmas Play

Joey Christmas Play 002
Originally uploaded by jwlohr

Last weekend, we had the christmas program at our church. Joey sang with the other kids in the pageant and Jenny's dad shot this video of it... thought I would post it here as well. Man, she is growing up way too fast!

yes, I know it has been a while

I am well aware that it has been months since I last blogged on here. There simply have been other things taking up my time and energy lately, but I hope to do more blogging in the future. We finally have gotten all of the issues with our house under control. All of the plumbing works now and the flooring is finished in all of the rooms we plan to do at present. As Advent is upon us and we are bearing down on Christmas, we are simply loving the time we have together with the kids. They are both growing and learning so much it is simply amazing. Joey amazes us every single day with the things she says and does and Ian is right there as well, although talking is not his strong point yet. He has a few words that he says, but mostly he runs around the house saying "ball" all day long. The kids have a whole playroom full of toys, but Ian is all about playing with balls of every shape and size. A litle vinyl soccer ball, a whole bucket of little plastic balls and even a couple of my practice golf balls keep him amused for hours. It's cute and his personality is blossoming as he is a really good natured kid and has a great smile just like his sister. The Christmas picture that many of you will be receiving soon will demonstrate that. Well, I appologize for my "blog-deficiency" and will try to do better as time goes on.

Peace and Joy to all,

Joel

The Fabulous Fox

On Monday of this past week, we went to the Fox Theater in St. Louis for Glenn Beck's "The Christmas Sweater" Jenny, had bought tickets for me for our anniversary. It was a beautiful evening and a wonderful way to really get the Christmas Season off to a wonderful start. No matter what a person thinks of Glenn, you just had to love the passion with which he delivered the performance and it was really uplifting to see the play after having read the book. Everyone has issues in their lives that stop them from living life to the fullest. But, there is encouragement to live life deliberately and with passion giving your all to those things that matter most. Family, Friends and Faith are the only things that matter in life and if you can keep those in proper balance, then you are living life as it was intended to be lived! See the show, my friends... and if you can't catch it live, then see the simulcast in a movie theater near you on the 17th of December. It will be worth your time and money!

my goofy daughter

Joey has a way of just cracking us up with her silliness sometimes. This evening after we got home from Vacation Bible School. Ian was in bed and Joey and I were sitting on the love seat in the living room. She invited mommy to sit with us and then proceeded to lay over on Jenny's lap. Then she instructed me to lay on top of her... I layed over on her and she said: "look, we're like a family hamburger" It was strange as she seemed to orchestrate the whole thing for the silly joke. I know others will read this, or hear me tell the story and think how silly it is. But it was one of those moments that just cracks us up... and they happen quite a bit around here. Ian is also developing his own sense of humor and as he is starting to walk now with greater confidence I am sure that clowning around will multiply with him as well.

I still am amazed with my children and love them more each day it seems!

Vacation Wrap-up

We went to Stonington and Decatur for the final few days of our vacation and had a really nice time. Jenny and I took Joey to Sullivan, Illinois to the little theater on the square to see "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" which she really enjoyed. Then we spent a couple of days hanging around with friends in Stonington where I emcee'd the little miss and little mister pageants again this year since I have been doing it for a long time for them. Jenny and I also took part in a "newlywed game" on the platform on Satuerday night and we came away with first prize and the knowledge taht we do know each other pretty well. It all came down to which direction we liked the toilet paper to be hanging on the holder (from the bottom) and what superhero I most related to (Batman).

Finally on Sunday Night Jenny and I went to Springfield where we had planned to see a show and the Muni... but with the weather being touch and go, we opted for the safety of seeing a movie (Get Smart) it was pretty good given our run of luck with movies recently. We also had gotten a hotel room at the Crowne Plaza for a REALLY good price... Hurray for Hotwire.com! It was nice to sleep in for the first time in a very long time. Then it was home to East Alton and getting settled back in here before I started back to work today.

Not a major vacation, but certainly not a bad time of simply relaxing and enjoying family time on somewhat of a budget! (Pictures of most of the events addressed here are on the flickr page)

vacation day 3

Today was a pretty laid back day. We finally decided to head out to St. Louis again for the day. We had read about this Miniature golf course in St. Louis that sounded really nice. We went and found it and played 18 holes. But, it was by far the most dilapidated miniature golf course I have ever seen! The water wasn't running, the carpet was torn in numerous places and the bricks were missing and loose all over the place. On top of all of that it was way over-priced! Joey had fun for a little while. But, even that didn't last too long. We finally gave up and headed back across the river. We went to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream, so the day wasn't a total bust ;-)

Tomorrow we are heading to Decatur and will be hanging out in our old stomping grounds for a few days. I actually got a really good deal on a hotel in Springfield for one night on hotwire.com. We are staying at one of Springfield's best hotels for $69! Thought we'd take advantage of being with Jenny's folks and leave the kids with them overnight on Sunday and take in the Muni in Springfield and have a "date night" just for ourselves while we are on vacation. Should be fun!

Well, the vacation is progressing, and we are doing some fun things and learning a lot about our new home area.

More to follow.

grant's farm family portrait 2

grant's farm family portrait 2
Originally uploaded by jwlohr

we are on vacation this week... today we went to the Gateway arch and to Grant's farm in St. Louis. Yes, I know it is less than 30 minutes from home. But we thought we could do this on a budget and see what is in our own backyard. It has been fun so far. Yesterday we went to the zoo and shopping a bit. Today, while leaving the arch and walking back to the metrolink station, I wasn't watching where I was going and pushed Joey off of a curb (in her stroller) and skinned up her knee pretty good. Man, did I feel like a jerk (and a horrible father to boot)! I think this is the mist blood she has shed yet in her 3 years of life. She is tough though and keeps telling me that "it'll be fine daddy"!

Asking her what her favorite part of the day was, she said it was going to the top of the arch with daddy... pretty cool!

Life is getting better now that we don't have the rest of the mess of the past two years hanging over our heads... it is great to just hang out with the family and have some fun together.

More good stuff to come!