The Taylors Magnifying Christ in Brazil

Happy Birthday Hannah!!!

2012-01-25T01:47:00.000-02:00

Last week Hannah turned eight years old. It is hard to believe our little girl is getting so grown up. This year Daddy bought her a special dress, fit for a princess.

All evening she worked hard at acting like a princess.

This year for Christmas she got an American Girl doll, Emily.

Emily got a princess dress too.

Memaw & Papaw found a crown and a scepter for our little princess to wear all day on her birthday. Everywhere we went people wished her Happy Birthday and sang to her!

Going to a Sea Turtle farm was a highlight of Hannah's day. She was chosen to hold the baby sea turtles first. She laughed as he clapped his fins up and down until he felt secure in her hands.

We ended our time at the turtle farm by snorkeling with the turtles and other fish. What an amazing view of God's creation. Thanks Grandpa for taking us to do this!

That night at dinner she got to open up her presents. Memaw & Papa got her the Princess and the Kiss book as well as a new dress for Emily.

Aunt Sharon & Uncle David got her her first pair of earrings.

Aunt Laura & Uncle Mark got her a fun craft for her and Emily to make.

Happy Birthday Hannah we love you so much!

We are thrilled to see you try hard things. You are courageous with new people and new situations. Keep looking to God for strength to face your fears.

We are so blessed to see you and your brothers love, protect and help each other.

We love your fun spirit - Keep shining for Jesus little Princess!

Sun & Snow

2012-01-07T21:59:00.000-02:00

We have had several fun family outings recently. We celebrated the new year in the traditional Armitage way with a trip to Galveston Island. We had a great time playing on the beach with everyone.

Today we FINALLY got to see a little snow! We are up in Kansas City for our last meeting and my brother took us out for snow tubing. Although it was sunny & warm we enjoyed some great snow time.

We are so grateful to our gracious God for each of these fun times with our loved ones. As our departure draws near we are storing up precious memories.

Christmas in Texas

2011-12-31T12:55:00.000-02:00

My kids got to participate in our home church's Christmas program this year and it was precious for me to see Daniel and Hannah so willing to participate.

It was especially neat to see Daniel sing with my Dad.

Jeremiah was supposed to sing with them but backed out at the last minute! :)

The closer we got to Christmas, the more family arrived! The girls had a great time going out for tea and some window shopping at Old Town Spring. We even met a Brazilian lady and had a good time practicing our Portuguese.

Christmas Eve we had our traditional finger foods. Little Smokies, nachos, cheese ball, summer sausage and more! We had a veggie tray too, just so you don't think we only ate junk!!

We had a Christmas Eve Service at church that night and it was such a blessing. Rachel and Albert did all the accompaniment and James led us in the reading of several passages of Scripture as well as singing.

Back at home, the kids quoted Mark 2:7-14. It was so special to hear them all as they shared the true meaning of Christmas.


We opened the long awaited presents...

Then Christmas morning we headed back to church to Celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all of us in Texas!

Christmas Goodies

2011-12-20T00:04:00.003-02:00

I wanted to share this fun festive idea for Christmas treats.

Rice Crispy Treat Ornaments.

Make your basic rice crispy treat recipe and rolling the mixture into balls with buttered hands.

Then roll them in sugar crystals and then top them with rolo candies, attached with a toothpick.

They make such a festive centerpiece!

My mom & the kids made some cool sugar cookies on Saturday. I loved the creative ways they decorated them. They were so fun and colorful.

Sunday night was our church Christmas program and these were the treats we took to share.

Have you made anything fun this year?

December in Texas

2011-12-18T00:31:00.000-02:00

Welcome to the Armitage home in December! I thought I would give you a peek into all the fun memories we have been making with my family this Christmas.

My Mom and Daniel started a 30 day fitness challenge.

I have often caught them upstairs, working out with the Wii!

Looking good! Jeremiah "works out" too when he feels the need.

It always makes me laugh to see him stretching and doing sit-ups!

We have spent time making lots of Christmas stuff. One day we made Candy Cane hearts to give out to friends. They look super cute hanging on our tree in the mean time.

Are we done yet?????

We made stained glass ornaments

Step 1 - place small glass beads into metal shapes

Step 2 - bake for 25 minutes

Wa-la! The coolest glass ornaments ever!

We have enjoyed some great morning coffee breaks! With yummy Christmas snacks :)

We have had lots of cookie baking times recently and I sure there will be more in the future!

There is ALWAYS time for wrestling with Papa!

(Can you tell from the blurs that this was an action shot!)

Fun double-dates with my parents!

And, an AWESOME time at the Handel's Messiah!