finally.

 

let. it. snow.

let. it. snow.

let. it. snow.

 

It won't be long before I'm singing a new song.

But I've been waiting for this.



god bless us everyone.

 Laura and Ryan received the biggest Christmas blessing of all this year.

Carson Ryan was born at 3:33 on 12.12.12.

He's perfect in every way.

Ten little fingers.  Ten little toes. Perfectly formed lips.

And bright eyes.

Wide awake bright eyes!

I'm in love.

And I will take more pictures of him in the future, I'm quite sure.

 

God bless us every one.



merry and bright.

 

 I'm

a fifth grade

teacher in real life.

Every once in a while,

 my camera goes to school with me.

Each December I take class pictures by the

Christmas tree that greets us as we enter our building.

We dress all festive-like and wear bright lights and generally

have a fun time making each other smile.  The little kids ask what we're doing

and the older kids smile, remembering when they were in fifth grade posing by the tree.

And then we go

back to class

and do Math.

 

 

So...here are some of my very favorite fifth graders ever.

Yes, I say that every year.

Because it's true.

 

Note to Fifth Grade: 

I know I just started a sentence with "because."

You still may not do this.
 

 

They are merry and bright.

They light up my life and stretch me to become better than I am.

And they wish you a very Merry Christmas.

it's a wonderful life.

 

If you're family or friend to the Frerichs,

bet you smiled when you received this in your mailbox last week.

 

They set up the Christmas tree in October.

Dressed the kids in last year's Christmas jammies.

Had the carols playing.
Candles burning.

Posed like George Bailey's wonderful family.

(not as easy as it looks, by the way!)

A few snaps of the camera.

Some crazy good designing by Kelli.

Voila!
One of the best Christmas cards ever!
 

 If you've never watched this holiday classic,
it follows the ups and downs of George Bailey's life in Bedford Falls.
I think its message is best summed up by a quirky little character
named Clarence Oddbody (Angel, Second Class),
who shows up to earn his wings
by guiding George through his darkest hour.
Clarence asks:

Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives.
When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

Hug the ones you love this holiday season.

And the best news of all:
Because of the Savior, born on Christmas Day,
It's a Wonderful Life.

the folks next door.

 Their front door is always open.

Old friends and new are welcomed in their home.

They have a way of making everyone feel at ease.

We should know.

We live next door.

 

They are also absolutely beautiful, wouldn't you agree?

Inside and out.

 Cindy and Jay.

 Natalie, Emily, and Elisabeth.

 Christian and Lis.

And finally...

Seth, Christian, and Jay.

The Man Cave.



she's my blake.

Katlyn's best friend was planning a visit from Kentucky.

 

" I want you to meet Kelsey,"  she told me.

"She's my Blake."

 

I knew immediately what she meant and invited them to stay for the weekend.

 

Blake and my Nick have been close friends since boyhood.

Peanut butter to jelly.

Cheese to macaroni.

Bacon to eggs.

Kind of friendship.

(I tried to pick manly metaphors)

 

While hanging out in my family room,

the girls were talking about getting little friendship tattoos,

but couldn't decide on a design,

so opted for a little spontaneous photo shoot instead.

Not a bad way to mark a treasured friendship.
And less painful.

 

Katlyn and Kelsey.

Bubbles to bath.

Milk to cookies.

Goof to ball.

Kind of friendship.

 

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another:

What! You too? I thought I was the only one.

- C.S. Lewis

thankful.

I am thankful for freedom....

to think

to speak

to work

to contribute

to worship.

And I am thankful for the men and women who protect freedom around the globe.

Matt is preparing to leave for the Middle East.

So, while he was home for Thanksgiving,

it was a privilege to capture some family pictures

for his mom.

And maybe he'll want to tuck a few shots away

to remember those who love him and are praying for him back home.

Thanks, Matt, for what you're doing for our country.

May God bless you as you serve.

I love these sibling shots of Josh, Kaylee, and Matt.

I thought maybe the boys would want to give their sister a little kiss on the cheek.

Not so much.

 Family hug.

And family boots.

Summers Family.

Kevin, Cyndy, Kaylee, Josh, and Matt.

2012