Announcing Baby Bork

Rhoda and Lee gave us such a wonderful Christmas present today. They announced they are expecting our 11th, grandchild due late June 2018.

Of course we needed to include this new little one on the Sceggel Grandchildren pictures.

 

When Rhoda was telling Taegan about the baby in her tummy, she showed her a picture of the sonagram. Taegan looked at that picture and asked, "are you sure that's not a puppy?"  "that looks like a puppy."  Rhoda was quick to assure her, "No, this is a human baby."

We had another wonderful day here in Gulf Shores. Christmas morning dawned with a beautiful sunrise but a cold wind blowing down from the North flattening out all the waves and for sure cooling down the temperatures.

 

At 10:00 am a bunch of us met in mom's condo to listen on line for church.  We got to hear Rick Kaisner on Sunday and today for Christmas got to listen to Mike Kaisner. Below Joan, Sarah, Hannah and Bethany are busy taking the braids out of Berlica's hair while listening.

After church Joan's family and Brian & Rebekah's family came over to swim in the indoor as it was still cold outside.

 

 The cold didn't stop the fishers. Greg pulled up this batwing ray. Braelyn and Taegan were brave enough to put it back in the water thus saving it's life.

 It was too windy for volley ball but by the afternoon perfect for football on the beach. I got lots of great action shots. The game went on for hours, no one wanted to quit.

 Addyson and Braelyn were the only ones brave enough to swim in the Gulf, they actually stayed out in the water a long time IN their clothes.

 

If you would like to see the rest of the pictures click HERE. 

Jack was so exhausted he fell asleep out on the balcony.

 This evening baby Abe was keeping himself occupied by twanging the door stop over and over.

We had the grandchildren open presents before supper as we were waiting for Rhoda to come.

Her plane came in at 6:15 pm in Pensacola, Florida. Mike and Diane were kind enough to pick her up while I cooked the prime rib Christmas dinner.

We visited for a long time after dinner so I am late getting this blog up and written, but what a wonderful day.

Christmas Eve At Sunny Gulf Shores

My phone started going off this morning and the news was all from Illinois. My friend Glenna sent this first picture. It looks like they are having a white Christmas at home,

 Mark sent the next few texts, that Rhoda may not be able to get in to move a round bale in for Evan and he would have to square bale him until I get home. Turned out though that Rhoda made it in after church and sent the next few pictures below.

She reported that Evan got a new bale and all the waterers are working great. Mark got the plowing done and sent a text that he may be getting too old for this job. He also cleared off mom and Joan's driveways.  While he was busy dealing with snow we were out in the white stuff (the sugar white sands of the Gulf Shores beach) with the grandchildren. Below are a few pictures of our fun day.

 Swimming in the Gulf, playing in the sand

 visiting with each other

 Great volley ball games

 The foot ball games followed but we were too busy laying out in the sunshine to even go watch the games. We heard later that Joan and Karin's team won but only after the other team mates started playing with strategy. Later came a fun appointment with Rachel, the official photographer in the Meister family. She was willing to take pictures of my 10 grand children for me for Christmas. Below they have their shirts on and are heading down to the beach for them.

 She took a lot and I'll have to have the mom's help pick out the ones we want to print and frame but below is one of my favorites. The two youngest are looking at each other just trying to figure this whole picture thing out.

 We got done with the pictures just in time to head to Greg and Beth's condo for a Christmas Eve Fish Fry with all the fixens. That fish was the best we have ever tasted, thanks to all who worked so hard catching them and then cleaning them. Greg and Nolan did all the frying and brought it to us hot and delicious.

 The night turned cool so we sang Christmas Carols around the fire. Nancy LOVED this.

IF you would like to see the other pictures posted so far from today click HERE. After we left Greg and Beth's most of us walked over to our condo where we had a praise singing with lots more Christmas carols. We are so very thankful to be with family in the warm sunshine on this Christmas eve but even more thankful that Jesus left the glory of heaven and was born to a poor couple in a stable KNOWING He was going to be treated cruelly and die a terrible death just to save us. How can we NOT be thankful.

More of Day ONE at Gulf Shores

The fishing was great this morning, the fishermen and women caught over 50 fish and most were big enough to save for the big fish fry tomorrow. Even the crane below was fed.

 It was so sunny that Zion had to stay in her own little tent. Diane keeps this in her condo for renters that bring a baby along.

 The waves were pretty big, below Nolan has waded out to cast out over the waves and when he turned around to walk back a wave crashed over his head.

 Karin pulled a pretty good sized whiting.

 By the time they quit the cooler was about full.

 Below is just one of the fish Nolan caught.

 Jordan didn't pull this one up but was glad to help his dad by holding it.

 Below Brian is getting ready to take the fish off the hook.

 Jordan and Riley loved playing in the sand.

 Just for the record about everyone one the beach was family.

 The volleyball games were fun even though a lot of the players drove ALL NIGHT to get there in time for the fun schedule.

 

 Below Nolan had just pulled up a double and both were eating size.

 

Nolan put the fish down and picked up baby Zion. Her very first trip to Gulf Shores. 

 

 Ben and Taunya arrived just a little after 2:00 pm. Below Jack is checking out the balcony of our condo.

 We had to place Baby Abe with Baby Zion. What a difference a few months make.

 David and Stephanie were the next to arrive. Below is Elisabet carrying in her cup.

 Ben and Taunya were glad to sit for a picture with their 4.

 Israel was so anxious to get outside to swim. He had his swim suit on then was waiting patiently for his daddy to get ready.

 Jack and Jace had to show me the Christmas tree on the pillow.

 Below David is getting ready to dive in. He said the water was refreshing.

 Israel was more interested in playing in the shallow waves on the beach.

 From there they tried out the water slide. Below is David going first.

 He caught Israel as he came flying down. These two had to go down the slide a few times before heading in to swim in the indoor pool.

 Next they swam in the indoor pool.

And finally they relaxed in the hot tubs, Israel in one and David in the other.

 Phil and Anna arrived shortly before supper time, We ordered pizza for dinner. Stephanie, Anna and Taunya went to Walmart while the guys babysat. The rest of the family used John and Karin's hot tub today, then played games at mom's condo.  Everyone is tired from the long trip and all of us are going to have an early night tonight. Thankful for a warm morning and nice day.