hallelujah chorus

Cool experience!

Our friends, the Treadwells, heard about a minister who was organizing a flash mob singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. Anyone who knew their part was welcome to join in on the sing at the local mall (Buckland Hills Mall in Manchester, CT).

It was at 3:00pm on a Sunday afternoon, and we decided it would be a neat thing to witness, so we packed up our families and headed over. *Eli commented that he had never been to a mall on a Sunday before--I let him know that I didn't think I ever had either.

We weren't sure how the turn out would be, so we took place in the outskirts near the big yellow advertisement sign. Pretty soon we were packed in tight. When the trumpet started to play and the conductor's arms went up, the number of voices we heard was awesome!

We were possibly the only members of our own faith represented there that afternoon, but what a thrill to be surrounded by fellow Christians, belting out a song in praise of the Savior of us all!

*You can always pick out David holding Isaac, and Gabe's best buddy Chase, who is in front of the yellow sign, on his dad's shoulders. Look for the rest of us.

Merry Christmas!

All Isaac wanted was a T-Rex Birthday

Isaac Warner is now 3 years old! I just can't believe it.
I guess that it feels like he has been a part of the family for at least that long, but he is Lolla-pop--he can't grow up!

He didn't really grasp the whole birthday thing--I'm not so good at teaching my kids the answers to crazy questions like, "How old are you?", so he was completely clueless that there was a number associated with him. All he knew was that he was going to have a party.

And, from the beginning he was adamant that his would be a "T-Rex Birthday". He practiced his growl and roar all week.

See, he wasn't thinking about getting T-Rex toys, he was thinking about being a scarey T-Rex, himself. All the rest of the birthday stuff was just perks. And he got some fun perks:

His cake may not look like much, but it was a fun licorice-spewing volcano, complete with 3 T-Rex dinosaurs, and Isaac thought it was great fun to play with.

Well, he chased and roared and growled to exhaustion (not unlike most days, except for the exhaustion part):Isaac sure has been an exciting 2 year old --3 should prove interesting!

We don't know what life would be like without this entertaining and constant little fellow. He is truly adored by all in our household, and has gripped the hearts of many outsiders--there is just something so fascinating and un-ignorable about our Moss boys, especially our Isaac-a-lolla!

A MARY POPPINS HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Yes, it has finally happened.
I've looked forward to this day for quite some time.

Aren't we cute?!



Okay, so we aren't exactly Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, and some of our penguins are a bit large (one is admittedly a Vampire Penguin--how else do you talk an 11 year old into being a penguin for Halloween?).

A couple of years ago I highlighted family halloween themed pictures from our past to prove the point that my husband loves me--well, he must still really adore me! He was willing not only to put on the assigned clothing (a suit made out of old curtains--how very Sound-of-Music of me, eh?), but to do it while feeling rather under the weather.

Thank you, my David!!

Another Halloween come and gone.
What should we be next year? Hmmmm.

A great Birthday

My 33rd birthday was spent out in Kent, CT hiking next to a waterfall, collecting pretty leaves with Gabriel, enjoying charming New England covered bridges, and spending time with my sweet cousin Tobra and her family.

It was wonderful. I really just feel so happy when I can be out enjoying a beautiful scene.

Okay, so I talked my kids and husband (he is the hardest) into a number of pictures, since it was my birthday. My cousin's husband Mark took most of them--thanks Mark!

I call this next picture my Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde picture--can you see why? We laughed for quite awhile over this one: (Isn't my Little Miss Sunshine shirt cute?!!)

33!

My kids thought I had already been 33, and was turning 34--so it is like I got a year younger! Thanks boys!

Yosemite, wow!

When I am immersed in nature, it is like being in the temple. I just love the beautiful things Heavenly Father and our Savior have given us to enjoy and to help us remember Them.

Pictures just don't do this beautiful place justice, but . . .
they must suffice for now.



What a beautiful experience, made all the better because we were able to share it with Bella Nonna and Grandpa Von!

*There were many active-retired people out hiking these trails, and they got a kick out of hearing things like, "slow down Grandpa, you're going to fast!"
There is one picture in there where grandma has her hand on Eli's back, encouraging him along. We are so lucky to have healthy and active grandparents to do this fun stuff with!!!!