Lefty?

It looks like we may have a lefty in the Ellison family. It seems like Kayla does an awful lot with her left hand. As you can see, she writes with it as well as throws balls, etc. Time will tell. I just thought everyone would like this important piece of info.

A West Virginia Thanksgiving

It was nice to visit the wonderful state of West Virginia again for the Thanksgiving season. This was the year to spend Thanksgiving with the Ellison's. As always, dad and mom went out of their way to make things special. With ham and turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, we were all stuffed for quite a while. Friday, for some insane reason, we waded through waves of people at the mall. It was a nice time and fun was had by all.

Happy Thanksgiving

We at Newkie News wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. We hope that your holiday is filled with love and laughter as you spend time with family and friends. Most of all, we hope your heart is filled with thanks to God for His many blessing, especially for His wonderful plan of Salvation. Truly God is Good!!!

Oh Christmas Tree

From beginning to end the kids were excited as I endeavored to do the daunting task of putting up our Christmas tree. I know, you may say it's a little early, but last year we got so busy and didn't get to it until late in the season, so here it is. We are leaving today for West Virginia to visit my parents for Thansgiving so at least this is one less thing to worry about when we get home.

Ohio State - 42 Michigan - 39

Michigan played a tremendous game, but you know, somebody has to lose and tonght it just happened to be Michigan...barely. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and this picture says it best. Since 8 minutes into the game Michigan was chasing Ohio State relentlously. Oh well, who knows there just may be a rematch for the National Championship. I doubt it, but there is a slim chance. You always have to wish for the best.

It's Done

We have finally accomplished one of the many things on our procrastination list...family pictures. Tuesday evening , my wife and I realized that our kids were free of bumps, bruises and other facial blemishes so we scheduled a picture appointment. After finally finding a times when the kids were free from bumps and bruises, my wife gets her picture taken with a booger hanging from her nose (not really). We were happy with them...at least as happy as you can be with family pics.

Raking Leaves

Today was a beautiful day. It was in the upper 60's. So Vonnie and I decided to clean up outside...with the kids help. We raked and burned the leaves and we put up their toys in the basement (for the spring floods to wash).

Hay Ride '06

Friday evening nearly 80 people from our church gathered at the Zimmerman's for our annual hay ride. Neal and Carrie are excellent host for the event. They bar-b-qued chicken for the meal. We had three wagons connected for a neary 45 minute hay ride through the country. What a blast it was.

We Did It!

Today we did American and Christian duties...we voted. Of course, we make no bones about declaring our support to the Republican Party. Yesterday at church we had Citizen's Day. In the evening service, Rev. Tolley and myself divided up the moral issues up for grabs during this election. We tried to give Biblical principles for why they were wrong, such as gambling, sanctitiy of life, and sexual orientaton. It is my firm belief that a truly enlightened Christian cannot vote for a politician who lends his/her vote to killing babies, same sex marriage, civil unions and gambling. These are issues/sins that are damning America and when Christians stand by and vote for the people who promote them, where does the blood of the future generations lie. Enough preaching. I understand not everyone would agree with my thoughts, but think about, it's may be closer to the truth than you realize.

Another day. Another dinner.

Here we are, once again enjoying a wonderful meal before Christmas Program practice. As you can see, one of the eaters was growing very weary of all the chatter.

Tilly

Last night, over 30 people from the New Columbia congregation journeyed to Gratz Emmanuel Wesleyan church to watch them perform, Tilly. Their youth department was partnering with Lifeline Pregnancy Care Center to promote Pro-life. They did an outstanding job. I was unable to see it performed at Youth Challenge do to the fact that we were traveling that night. They put a lot of time and effort into the play. It was well worth the time and drive.

Ohio State...BLAHHHH!

On the way home from Youth Challenge we hadto travel through Columbus, OH. The Ohio State game was just over with Ohio State stomping the Gophers 44 - 0. We happened to stop at a Steak n Shake for supper. MISTAKE! It was loaded with red and grey Ohio State fans. If you follow sports at all you know that Ohio State and Michigan University is the biggest college football rivalry. Right now, with just a couple of games to go, both teams are undefeated. We may see a championship title game played by two rival undefeated teams. Well, as we were sitting there eating I kept hearing people running Michigan down. I could hardly take it. If you have ever eaten at Steak n Shake you realize that it seats approx. 50 - 60 people. So, as I was leaving I was fight a terrible battle with the little devil on my shoulder. He kapt whispering, "SAY SOMETHING". So I did. With my back to the door I said rather loudly, "Excuse me Ohio State, on Nov. 18 the boys from the Big House, (Michgan's Stadium) are coming to to town and you are goin' down." The place erupted. Boos were the word in the house, mixed with get out, loser, etc. The manager had already been harassing me, but at this time was laughing hystrically. What an exciting moment.

Busy Day

Sunday was a busy day. I was very grateful that Randy Tolley was able to preach Sunday morning. After arriving at home at nearly 2:30 am I was in no mood to preach. But there is no rest for the weary. We started our Christmas Program practice on Sunday. We practice from 2:00 to 4:00. So we have the cast over each Sunday. What a blast we have. After practice we prepared for a Missions service with the Middleton's. After which they stayed over at the parsonage for the night. Needless to say, I was grateful for my bed Sunday evening. Today is a new day, and I am feelin' fine (mostly).

Youth Challenge 2006

I am sure every blogger will be posting about Youth Challenge (with exception of Aaron McCarty who is still having a bad day). Myself and five other guys from our church went out this year to Youth Challenge. The theme - Beyond Survival. It was a great time. We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Batesville, home of the Batesville Casket Company. We made it out in 8 hours and made it back in 9 hours. We hit snow near DuBois, PA. Nearly a half inch was on the ground. It was a very exciting trip and it was great traveling with the guys from church. A great time was had by most!!

Like Father, Like Daughter

Kayla is going to be a health nut just like her dad...cookies and milk for breakfast!

Mexicano

This past Thursday we ate at the new Mexican restaraunt in Selinsgrove. It is an authentic mexican restaraunt with excellent food. This is what I ordered. It is a Macho Burrito. It was every bit of 12 inches long and at least 4 inches wide. It was delicious. The name of the restaraunt name is Casa Sanchez. Ahhh. What a breath of fresh air.

Mr. Mansfield

Yesterday evening, Vonnie and I enjoyed the evening at the Silvermoon Banquet Hall. The reason for dining there...The Pregnancy Care Center was putting on a banquet in effort to raise money for the Center. It is something that I feel is a great causeto give too. We enjoyed an excellent meal of grilled chicken, steamed veggies and boiled potatoes. For desert we had cheese cake and I had nearly six cups of coffe...decaf of course. YUK! After all the comotion was over the special speaker was Mr. Stephen Mansfield, the author of "The Faith of George W. Bush". He did a great job. I realize the list of important people I have met doesn't come close to Jon Plank's but hey, it's a start.

Justin's Birthday

Justin's Birthday Cake
A bike from Grampa & Grandma Hallenbeck A set of "real" golf clubs from Grandpa & Grandma Ellison

We were planning on something exciting for Justin's 4th birthday, but he had an unexpected bout with pink eye that put those plans on hold. So we went to Hallenbeck's and had a cake and special dinner with Great grandparent's Howard & Charolette Hallenbeck, Don and Val, Lonnie, Ronnie and Laura. We hope to have a get together later with some of his friends. He loves to play with Eric Susan, Travis Zimmerman, Zeb Dreisbach and Ashley Plank. But until then....

My Last Time

Today, I mowed for the last time...hopefully. And of course I couldn't do it without the help of two eager hoodlums.

It's Here

I recieved my new camera in the mail today. It is pretty cool. It is exactly the size of a credit card, a little thicker of course. These are basically the first pictures I took with the camera. One is of the new lanolium that was installed in our kitchen a couple of weeks ago. The other is of Justin and Kayla.