Matthews Family Herald

There's Micah tuning his guitar while the rest of the kids keep working on the Christmas tree.











Here's the tree with all the lights in the house off. That was back with the star still glowed. It. . . just . . . quit working recently. . .






This is Leon, one of the boys' best friends here in Germany. He also made Ginger Bread Man and began to dispatch him shortly thereafter. Those eye glasses are very typical of the German look.















Another shot of the kids working with Mom on shaping their ginger bread persons.







Here's a group photo of those popcorn balls mentioned in an earlier post.








Nathan proudly displaying his creations.






Hannah thought hers would make great ear rings.







Eden got an ouwee on her finger while hanging ornaments on the tree. I had to make her a bandage right quick.










Here's one of Micah's recent spray paint art work items. He did this one around Thanksgiving.



Awe, Mary getting some blanket toy time. . .











Another one of Micah's pray paint creations. A really good one, I think. Don't forget, he has his own website at: http://www.spacepainters.blogspot.com/
We are still working on arranging so that if a person wants to compensate him for supplies and time and trouble, he can apply his spray paint art practice making something for you. Let him know what you'd like.

dd


Jacob came up with the cool idea of drawing something on the magnetic sketch pad and then adding action figures to make the event complete.

This pencil sketch was done by Hannah. We've been reading more "Little House on the Prairie" and watching "Homestead Blessings" DVDs. Click the picture to enjoy a larger version. Click this link to see about the Homestead Blessing "West Ladies" http://homestead-blessings.com/


Jacob's ginger bread man pleads for his life...












But to no avail...





Hannah has made Eden lots of paper doll mermaids. Eden is holding one up here for you to see.










All of the mermaids are displayed to the left. Here's a great drawing Hannah did of her on our someday farm. . .





Here's the gingerbread cookies we made for the family next door with the same arrangement of husband, wife, one boy and one girl.










Eden was working hard on her gingerbread person.









This is Micah's popcorn ball man.














Jacob's a good brother.







Heather put together some homemade "good smelly" air freshner items found around the area and then put them in containers like this basket around the house. Makes a nice atmosphere.










Mary Ann here looking intently at this baby. Another "What chu talkin' bout Willis" moment.

Do you recall me mentioning that Hannah makes doll clothes out of wet wipes? Well, she does and here's an example of one.

Heather has kept us busy and together with so many great activities.

The next couple of photos are of the kids making Ginger Bread cookies. Some went to the neighbors but most were eaten right here.

Well, our family van being in the shop didn't hold us back. As a family yesterday, we headed into town by way of the German train system and caught up on lots of shopping. It was a productive day in that among other things, we made it home with a Christmas tree. Here the whole family is working hard and having fun.

The photos uploaded a little out of sequence. Here I am topping the tree with the amazing star (looks so much like a cross) that Hannah picked out.
Here's the kids putting on their ornaments.

Our family, as Christmas time approaches, we are making some of our own ornaments for the tree. This has been great fun and a good bonding experience to share. Here's the fruit of some of our labors. This was Heather's idea and initiative, but I can remember doing this growing up as well. We're also stringing our own popcorn to put on the tree which I've yet to acquire. The van is in the shop but once it's repaired, we'll be moving forward with that.

Jacob came up with the idea of using the camera to make it look like the kids were flying. The first photo is someone else capturing him in motion, but the rest are what he came up with. Looks pretty realistic, huh? Lots of fun! It's a kids dream especially to fly!

Taking a break from flying momentarily here. Isn't Mary heavenly?! Absolutely beautiful picture here!

Nathan uses the force here to float over the mattress.

Nathan came up the stairs dressed this way, as a pirate. If you look close, you can see he has a hook for his right hand. You can see his cape and his eye patch too. Does't he look a lot like Chief Sittin' Bull?

Hannah here having great fun making grill cheese "samiches" as I like to say.

Here's the latest sewing creation that Hannah has come up with. She made all of it herself. She can make just about anything with sewing, etc. Purses, dresses. She even makes doll clothes out of wet wipes!

These are the most recent spray-paint creations that Micah has made. They are his most awesome works yet! Aren't they cool! It's amazing what he can do with spray paint. He has a website up where he displays his work now and I'd encourage you to visit it and become a follower. www.spacepainters.blogspot.com

These are recent crafts that Heather and the kids have made at the Co-Op part of our homeschool project.

Micah and I eat at certain diner many mornings. While there, I saw this poster and had Micah take a picture of it. Now THAT is an America, or a part of an America, that we could be proud to be a part of...

I love catching Heather and the kids reading together. Isn't it awesome.

Here's a project that Nathan made. Cool stuff.

Mary here looks so cute. These shoes were given to us by our landlords and aren't they so cozy and warm!

Here's Micah in his nerd costume. He wore this on the train and bus system that he and I travel on. We had a real hoot with this. People just stared and gawked. They'd burst into laughter once out of eye and ear shot of him. But I would be a few paces away trying to take video of it. We had some good times!