THE KINTNER CLAN
Our annual 'Caroling Party' was a wonderful time celebrating the season with those close to our hearts. It was a time of sweet fellowship, sharing yummy food together and singing the carols of Advent by piano, hammered dulcimer, oboe, and violin.
(Steph, Angie, Stephanie, Teresa, Tammy)
So smashing that he won 1st place in the 'crazy Christmas hat contest'. I'm telling you, I would have totally won if I would have known that there was going to be such a contest. I simply found out minutes before leaving the party when my sweet husband showed me what he had rigged up. After many giggles and me helping him to find a 'red nose' he simply handed me a traditional Santa hat to wear. It all turned out though because Rudolf's prize included a little Starbucks love!
Brian (our youth pastor) and his wife Lori got 2nd and 3rd places.
And Doug (counselor) and his teaching wife Jan just looked too cute for words.
Here's some of use ladies simultaneously stirring 4 pots of cheese fondue.
Bon Apetite!
A memorable evening!
Both kids received Harley Davidson scooters that light up and rev like a motorcycles.
It was fun and thrilling.
Kelli was a part of our family this Summer. She lived with us, ate with us, worked alongside Jeff as an Intern at our church and shared life with our small family on Old Farm Circle.
Kelli and I have a wee history.
Back in the day when I was the Vocal Music Director at a High School in WA, Kelli participated in choir for a year. I also worked closely with her as the vocal coach in the musical productions. And, I knew Kelli through her mom Christy, one of my good friends and colleagues whom took me under her wing as a young teacher. Her mom was one of the people who interviewed me, a fresh graduate ready to take on the world of Choral music. I was pretty gung-ho then but that's another post.
It has been wonderful getting acquainted with who Kelli is now. I have so enjoyed our many adult conversations about life, love, theology and food.
In addition to Kelli doing an internship at our church, hanging out with friends, hiking (go 14ers!)etc... she also spent time regularly with Caleb and Carissa. This was a huge blessing to our family. In addition to scheduled outings on my own, Jeff and I savored weekly date nights which gave us an opportunity to connect on deeper levels without the interruptions of little people. (not that our little people are interruptions!)
In these moments I experienced a sense of 'space' that I had been longing for since becoming a mother of two. I experienced God working within that space and in every square inch of me.
It was a wonderful and a strong reminder that in these hectic times slowing down and creating 'space' cultivates a deeper relationship with God and with others. When I slow down I find that I am a healthier and happier wife, mommy, friend and servant of God.
Refreshing.
Here are a few pics of Kelli with the Muffin Heads.
One of the things that Kelli made-up is the 'Muffin March' - a fun way to get the Muffins to march up the stairs to bed, out the door, in the car, wherever. The 'Muffin March' is definitely here to stay!
Kelli is awesome. (one of her favorite words!)
We love her and are thankful for slice of time that she was able to spend with our family and our church community in Colorado.
Thank you Kelli-O!
(Mark Blair and his lovely wife Jessica)
One morning we gathered for yummies at Macy's. As it was 'back in the day' it was a perfect place to hang-out and catch-up!
(Peter and Curtis)
(Colson, Carissa, Lauren, Evie, Caleb)
(Jeff & Brad, Rainy & Angie with their 2 year old girls)
(Carissa showing off her 'boo boo' which she showed to everyone in the park, including people that we didn't know. drama queen.)
(Katie & Izzy)
(Catina with her 3 month old baby boy, Angie & Carissa)
(Caleb enthralled with playing in the rain)
A lousy picture taken from our car of a train crossing Rt 66. Caleb and Carissa loved all of the trains that they saw, especially on the drive parallel to Rt 66 on our way to and from Northern Arizona. 
Just as we arrived at our campsite a torrential downpour forced everyone to pile in to our camper. When the rain showers didn't let up we made the best of it by making the kids 'beanie weenies' and the adults 'taco pie' for dinner. After several 'delightfully' crowded hours in the camper we called it a night and folded in early. 
We awoke to a beautiful sunny morning and had sunny skies the rest of the weekend. The kids were in their glory playing along the shoreline of the 'beach'. 
(Carissa & Caleb 2.5 years old)
(Sophia 2.5 years old)
(Sarah Marie 5 years old)
(Elizabeth 6 years old)
(Jeff and Jack: oldies. double trouble)
A wonderful weekend!
