GINGERBREAD MASSACRE 2009

In the grand Hobbs* family tradition, they have released this year's video of their creative use of old Christmas Gingerbread houses. The Hobbs* surpass anyone I know in their architecture variety, in the past building everything from cathedrals complete with flying buttresses, to small cabins. This year they even had an outhouse!



When the outhouse exploded, it was suggested that maybe someone had gas.

I think Amy topped herself this year in her video editing.
We hope you enjoy this not-quite-ordinary holiday experience.

*The Hobbs family are our oldest daughter, Amy's, in-laws.

NIKKI LOOKING RATHER DAPPER

HOW-TO: WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR BANGS WHILE GROWING THEM OUT.

This is working particularly well. . .


. . .however it has led to questions about
unicorns, cow-licks, and Cindy-Lou-Who.

MY BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY FLOWERS ! !

Is there any better harbinger of Spring than this wonderful bouquet of Sunshine ?!

What a glorious treat on my birthday!
I am not a lover of winter, but in my kitchen it is Spring.
God is so good to treat us with so many delightful things!
(And my husband is terrific too!)

REHEARSALS ARE GOING WELL

We are rehearsing Pride and Prejudice upstairs on the stage
(Here the Bennets go through one of their scenes.)


And in the basement the Junior Players are working on Snoopy!

Sometimes it gets a little odd, hearing the music wafting from the nethers while working on a straight play.

We could even work on coordinating the two plays:
Darcy proposes to Lizzy while we hear "Knowing What I Know Now"
or
Wickham is introduced with "I'm Gonna Be the Big Bow-Wow"
or
Collins entering to "If Just One Person Believes in You"
or
maybe not.

NEW YEARS EVE ! ! !

This posting is late, but we had too much fun not to mention it.
Sparkling Grape Juice . . .

. . . . and Sparkling Good Fellowship. Nate and Amy and Matt and Alana Brown joined us for a delightful evening.
This was Nate and Amy's 4th Anniversary.

Apple Cranberry Pie topped off a delicious meal.

We played lots of games: Monopoly . . .

. . .Blockus, a great new game that Matt and Alana brought. . .

And of course "42", our family's favorite game. It is a domino game based on Whist and Bridge, created by Baptists in Texas because that weren't allowed to play cards. It is the National Game of Texas, and the sound of dominos being "shaken" is one of the earliest memories of my childhood. There is bidding, trumps, and fierce competition!

We were able to field three tables, and all enjoyed playing so much (you can't tell from the pictures, but there was a lot of laughter occurring.)

One of the most important facets of "42" are the snacks involved, traditionally chex mix, cheese ball and multiple sweets. Glory's ice cream cone is actually not a traditional "42" food, but may become one.

2nd ANNUAL FACULTY TALENT SHOW

The Nisbetts (most of them) will be performing at the event described below (excepted from the University Paper).
Keith, Adam, Joel, Josiah, and John will be performing an acappella barbershop type arrangement of "The Stars and Stripes Forever" arranged by Dr. David Wright, chair of the Washington University Math Department.
Keith and Anna will be singing (and dancing to) "Together At Last" from Annie.
Nathanael will be carrying the "Intermission" sign on stage riding his unicycle.
This will be a fun event, which supports an excellent organization.

Come see the faculty and staff of Missouri S&T display their talent and, for some, lack thereof. Over 50 faculty and staff will perform in the 2nd Annual Faculty Talent Show on Friday and Saturday, January 29th and 30th, at 7:30 pm at Leach Theater. The show benefits Engineers Without Borders, a student organization that travels to underdeveloped communities in countries such as Bolivia, Guatemala and Honduras. EWB plans and implements projects to improve the quality of life of people who live in these communities. Tickets range from $5-$25. All proceeds go to Engineers Without Borders. Stop by the Leach Box Office to get your tickets to a night of song, dance, and, inevitably, laughter.

TEPID RIVER SCUM

One of my Sunday afternoon jobs is throwing away all the cups left all over after Church Pot-Luck. They are generally labeled with names and quite often the kids get rather creative. I found this label particularly effective from removing the temptation of using this cup: "tepid river scum".

OK, SO WE'RE REALLY CHEAP . . .

. . . but those cute gingerbread kits are just as fun in January
(after they're on deep discount!)

FROM THE ARCHIVES . . .

. . . Glory just hanging out in the living room.

BEAUTIFUL ADAM GRIMM PAINTING

This breathtaking cardinal is a painting by our special family friend, Adam Grimm. We've appointed ourselves "official fans".
Adam is the youngest person ever to win the prestigious Federal Duck Stamp contest, winning at 21 years old.
Not only is he an incredibly talented artist, he is a fine young man, a kind and generous person, and has two of the most adorable little girls on the planet. Our Adam spent a Spring Break with him painting, photographing ducks, and learning the benenfits of a Ghillie suit. (I think they also watched "American Idol" and ate gourmet Snow Goose.)

Prints of this amazing painting are available from Mr. Grimm for $140 + $20 shipping and handling.
If you are wanting to get a head-start on your Christmas presents, this would be a good choice.
Order them by sending a check to:
Adam Grimm Wildlife Art
31064 471st. Ave.
Burbank, SD 57010

CAUTION, GRAPHIC IMAGES!

Should I even try to explain?

When Nate and Amy were here for the holidays, all the guys took Nate on a tour of our entire property (the circumnavigation sort of thing). As they explored the 140 acres plus, they came across the cow "grave-yard", hence the following photos. (I'm not sure that really explains these images.)

High-fives with shoulder blades.

Thank you Nate, for the great photos, and putting up with our weird family!

You fit right in.

LOOK MA, IT'S AS EASY AS FALLIN' OFF A LOG !

Whoops, was that splash John?

Whooooaaaa !!!!

One week later, this river was frozen solid enough for the kids to cross over. We've been experiencing -15 at night and balmy highs of 4*F. They sure took care of that global warming problem.

POND PUSH UPS

Why? It's a guy thing.

It's much more macho to do push-ups on ice. Form is not the goal.

SISTERS WITH CURLERS

Over the break, Joy graciously put LOTS of pin curlers in Anna and Glory's hair.
They looked cute running around for a day with little blue sponges on their heads.

. . . AND LITTLE GIRLS WITH CURLS

Anna

and Glory

AND THEN GLORY STARTED HAVING FUN MAKING FACES FOR THE CAMERA !