Wanna Come Over for Dinner?

Last week we all observed the most American of holidays - Thanksgiving. Which reminded me that I forgot to mention Kevin's newest skill. 

That's right folks. He cooks. He bakes. He does it all. After recently coming out victorious in chili making (we decided onion skins in the chili don't count),  Kevin decided to satisfy his sweet tooth with a homemade apple pie. 

Watch out Martha - he's gunning for you.

The pie is pictured below. NOT pictured is the pie maker himself. Because he was kind enough not to photo document my oral surgery adventure of 2010, I am repaying the favor and NOT posting (although my fingers are itching to do it) a picture of him in mid-pie creation. It just wouldn't be fair. Or nice. Or remotely mature. 

And you all know how mature I am. Thats why I'm saving it for the next time I need the upper hand in a argument. Then I'll enlarge it to an 8 X 10 and threaten to post it for your viewing pleasure. Ha!  I will tell you that the color of the apron he was wearing rhymes with the word SINK. 

Let your imagination do the rest.

Happy Late Thanksgiving!


Mandy 

Fall Festival

We survived the Fall Festival again this year. It helped that we could feel all of our fingers and toes and that there was no freezing mist falling from the heavens. I'm pretty sure we've been praying since about halfway through last year's Fall Festival that this year would be 40 degrees warmer and sunny with balmy breezes. 


My favorite part (other than blue cotton candy) is and will forever be the sumo wrestling. We matched Hannah and Dylan (youth group arch enemies) against one another. 


My version of creative problem solving. 


I was Hannah's "coach" and Kevin was Dylan's "coach". Generally, I make it a rule never to encourage the kids to smash each other into oblivion or smother one another while wearing fat suits, but once a year I must break my rule. I MUST sit on the sidelines and watch them hobble toward around in clumsy attempts to destroy one another with bellies Santa Clause himself can only dream of.


The event unfolded as follows:

Hannah suiting up. Its harder than it looks - especially if you're short. 

 Dylan smashing my little Hannah Banana

Dylan - victorious. 

 Never was a truer warning stated. Even with helmets, I still got a lot of "Ms. Mandy! So-and-so smashed my head when we were sumo wrestling!"

My response to whining sumo wrestler: "Its SUMO WRESTLING! What did you think was going to happen??!!"

Yes, I know. I'm working on my compassion skills.

Sawyer - Hayride Tractor Driver. At the end of the day he said, "I love this tractor. I wish I could  drive it all the time." 

I thought I had more pictures. Evidently, I got busy and didn't take as many as I thought. Oops. Overall, the festival was a raging success and we had lots of visitors from our community. 

Happy Fall!

Mandy

2010 Laymen of the Year

I'm a little behind... with this one but these guys are so great I couldn't not post about them! During JCN's homecoming each October we announce our Layman of the Year. This year the church board nominated two men - there was no way we could choose one over the other. Not a chance.

These two men are responsible for 99% of the remodeling that has taken place in our old sanctuary to create the youth center and the children's church. So, not only do they have my undying gratitude, but now their names are are etched on our plaque of fame. We also took a picture of the teens in their new fancy space and had them framed in autographed mats so each kid could write them a personalized thank you. 

Watch our 2011 Layman of the Year - I don't know how you'll top these two!

Mark Bordwine and Bill Neal a.k.a. "Superman's Mentors"