First Week at Home in Pittsburgh

WE LANDED IN PITTBURGH TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS....

Flew from Kigali to Amsterdam and found this
lit up airplane!   

And this highly decorated Christmas tree
with lots of little villages underneath.   

Fortunately we got home just in time to make some of the school 

and church Christmas programs! Why would we want to go, you ask? 

Because three of our grand kids were able to participate.  

Can't tell you how special it is to see them seeing and enjoying themselves.

 Isaac's school concert was first on the docket, but it was held at Beulah
Church, where I used to work.  It was fun to return and see all the
beautiful Christmas decorations!  His school doesn't have
a place large enough to accommodate all of the parents and families
so this worked out well.  It was packed!



Grammie Sandi and Papap Billy with Iris 
and Daddy Adam before the concert started.

We were sitting all the way in the back.. but i did manage to get
a picture of Isaac... although it is quite fuzzy.  He had a great time
singing with all of his classmates and we loved hearing them!

¡Feliz Navidad! from the first graders.

And check out this Christmas hair-do!!  Not sure how they did this!

On Friday morning I went to get Isaac and Iris off to school...since Michelle and
Adam both head off to work.  Rosanne has been gramma Patterson
while i am gone and thank the Lord for her and grammie Sandi taking
care of the kids each day!  So, this is their pretty tree in their house at 5:45am.

And their fireplace.  Cozy!


Iris giving her brother a hug before he got dressed for school.
She loves her brother!  (and vice versa)

That afternoon our little grandbaby, Katherine came for a visit and while
she was glad to see me... it was really Barney she wanted....

...and Mommy!  She loves her mommy more than any of the other 
kids ever have.. It is
really funny and we all giggle a lot about it. 
She is adorable, too!  I love this picture.

 One of the other days the Ashe kids went to have their
professional Christmas pictures done--at Target! 
Here they are picking out their pictures as 
I strolled Katherine around in the cart.  The pictures are 
great, by the way.


And this is the Ashe Christmas Tree and Fireplace they created! 

 The next night was Elizabeth's concert of the Oakland Girls' Choir
at a church in Shadyside/Oakland.  This was rather a heavy classical
concert.  The girls all have beautiful voices and the music
is mostly Gregorian... A little heavy for an 8 year old, but she loves it! 

The younger girls have their own level choir and their
diction was terrific.  Elizabeth is in the back row!

 She looked so sweet and dreamy-eyed...
but she was singing her heart out.  This was her first
"professional" concert!  ( i think)

This is the whole choir.... Again we were sitting back aways,
and so the shots are hard to get.. Katherine and Brian
probably won't be coming next year, ... it wasn't the kind
of concert to hold their attention.  Brian had a great time in
childcare and Katherine with Aunt Michelle.

Then came Sunday! The children's choir at Fox Chapel was singing so
after attending Hebron's early service we headed over to
hear Wyatt sing in his choir.  They are sitting on the floor here
in the narthex waiting for the time to process in with the adult choir people.

Love this angelic picture! 

Both of the choirs and the brass quintet, as well.

With all the beautiful music, from the week and especially 
today during the worship service... it brought us closer and closer
to the real meaning of Christmas.  Wyatt singing his heart out
didn't hinder anything either... moist eyes all around!

Right after church Oscar and Henry found the snacks.
Smiles all around!

A couple of days later we were at Rob and
Michelle' house at Christmas.

         So you've now had the tour of all three houses and the

      excitement is building.

I'm so glad we were able to be home this week to celebrate with our families

as the kids were involved in so many wonderful things for Christmas.  But the first week

isn't over....  I'll see you on the next page.

I thank the Lord that our kids love him, honor him and give Him glory for

all the things He has helped them become.  Seeing the little ones continue in

those steps is the best Chrsitmas gift ever.  Thanks kids and keep raising your

kids to be more like Him!

love, 

margie