January Odds and Ends

Grandma Jannie still had her Christmas decor up so Josh got to see the tradition of the German Nativity lit that first Sunday back (Ben was still very much out of it) 

Josh had gotten a haircut soon before coming home but it needed a little bit of cleaning up so Andy took to the razor.

Things continued to progress slowly in the home.

As mentioned before, Jo and T worked to paint our dining shiplap green.

They did a great job and we were so grateful!

Showing support for a friend with cancer...

Josh and Matt before a devotional with Elder Steven Lund (I believe)

Matt asked Molly Gordon to prom and this was her answer...

We finally got the post covered and the mantle and hearth put in along with the shiplap on the fireplace!

We had gone the rounds with the finish worker (Andrew) about what wood to use and what finish would look best...we had pretty different opinions.  Anyway, he finally let me have my way :)

You can barely see on the right that we got the shelf up on the green shiplap as well.  I love it!

A few of my favorite flowers I did for prom...

This was the set I made for Matt and his date.

Speaking of which...

Matt and Molly

Josh Returns! (Part 2)

Back home again!

    

So fun for Josh to walk in to an almost completely new home :)

T had stayed behind to finish painting the green wall for us and clean up so it would be nice for Josh's return.

He walked around and checked out all the newness...

At one point we heard Ben cry out from the front room.  Josh ran in to find he had stumbled so he picked him up and took him into the couch in the big room.

They had a cute moment together :)

Josh then continued his tour...

Matt had to fill him in on all his new kicks...

Josh's new room :)

Late afternoon we went to the stake center and President Farnsworth released Josh from his mission.

After returning home we celebrated Josh's Christmas.

Then dinner...

We used some of my fancy, fun colored glass goblets for some celebratory bubbly :)

Then we taught Josh the game of Quacks!

It had become a major part of our lives while he was gone.  That might be a bit of an exaggeration but it was important to us to teach it to him quickly :)

Then a little snuggle with Ben on the couch before scripture study and family prayer.

What an amazing day!

How wonderful to have Josh back home with us!

The next morning we woke up to a layer of snow.

I had Josh go out to the sign and get some more pictures with the new back and foreground.