Gabrielle is turning Vintage!

posted by Mommy

Twenty years ago today, I was awaiting the birth of my first child, in our little rented townhouse in Sunnyvale, CA.
It was a cool rainy day, but full of bright hope for this first-time mother.
At 11:19 p.m., the Lord brought her forth, and we named her Gabrielle Kara:

Gabrielle : "God is my strength"
Kara : "dear one"

From a tiny 5 lb. 15 oz. babe with a swath of jet black hair and large dark knowing eyes, she has grown to be such a lovely woman of God, filled with grace, ever growing, working with her hands in delight, organizing, managing, and creating within her family sphere.

Happy 20th Birthday, my precious daughter! I love you more than my feeble words can convey. How blessed I am to have such a precious arrow in my home.

Family Christmas Pictures 2011

Posted by Gabrielle

The Hellwig Family

Daddy, Mommy, Gabrielle (19), Timothy (18), Arianne (17), Christianna (15), Elliot (12), Jedidiah (9), Tobias (7), and Benaiah (4)

Visit with Grandpa and Grandma Way!

by Gabrielle

Opa and Oma's visit was not our only visit from our grandparents this past year! We were thrilled that in the middle of October, our adopted Grandparents, Grandpa and Grandma Way, also from California, came out to visit. We drove out 2 hours to meet them at their townhouse on the coast and spend the day with them. I'll let the pictures below tell the story...mostly!

Studying maps and deciding where to go for lunch...

We decided on Southern Barbeque...yummy!

Most of us at lunch

Back at the house, looking at pictures of old time friends

We had homemade date bars and three flavors of ice cream for dessert...it was all delicious, and made even sweeter by the sweet fellowship!

And of course, a family picture on the back porch overlooking the pond

The beautiful sunset on the way home that evening

Thank you for taking the time to spend a day with us, Grandpa and Grandma Way! I so enjoyed talking with you both and getting to know you better. We'll remember this time fondly for many years!

Visit with Opa and Oma!

by Gabrielle

As promised at the end of the last catch-up post, we re-decorated the living room in one evening because...
We had Opa and Oma flying in from CA to visit the next morning! This was a very exciting visit as we had not seen Opa in many, many years, and the little boys had never met him. For the week they stayed (late September-early October) we had lovely North Carolina weather and a wonderful time.

Timothy, Oma, Mommy, and Daddy, talking in the kitchen

Benaiah being silly!

On October 2nd, we celebrated Arianne's 17th birthday with both sets of grandparents!

 Talking and picking out the wax from the candles

Opening presents with Opa and Jedidiah looking on

Of course, before Opa left, family pictures were in order. Surprisingly, we got a good group picture on the first try.

We took some of the grandchildren with Opa as well!

Oma stayed on for a little longer to visit, and one of the days she was here was so beautiful, that we decided it was time for a morning at the park.

Benaiah, yours truly, Jedidiah, Tobias, and Christianna on plastic 'rock' archway, with picture taken by Elliot

Jedidiah, having fun

Benaiah, 'just hanging out'!

Thank you for visiting, Opa and Oma! We'll have fond memories of this time for many, many years to come!

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Posted by Gabrielle

"O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here, 

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!"

"Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heav'n and nature sing,

And heav'n and nature sing,

And heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing."

"Come, Thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us;

Let us find our rest in Thee."

"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus,

for He will save His people from their sins."  ~Matthew 1: 21

"O little town of Bethlehem, 

How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth 

The everlasting Light; 

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight."

"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." ~Luke 2: 10-11

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." ~Matthew 2: 10

"I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Merry Christmas!

A Sneak Peak of our Christmas Portraits

Posted by Gabrielle

Yesterday morning was warm and cloudy and perfect outside for pictures, so we all dressed up and headed out to the backyard for Christmas pictures. Some like last year, were a little reluctant to smile at first, but some new funny songs we recently listened to did the trick.

Enjoy! The official pictures coming soon...

The Guys

The Gals

Someone was reluctant to smile at first...

Mommy told him to open his eyes nice and wide, and this is what I got!

One of my beautiful, and oh so very photogenic sisters

I Love My Brothers - Part 1!

by Gabrielle