Rainy Day

For the past few days the weather has been dreary, drizzly and cold. However, yesterday the temp was close to 70! Seth wanted to go out but I told him it was wet...so being the smart boy that he is, he brought me his rain boots! Luckily for us it wasn't raining at the time and wasn't cold, so out we went! His outfit: rainboots, comfy pants, jacket and cowboy hat called for some photo opportunities! Here are some pictures from our front yard adventure!

Christmas Party

This past Sunday, our church held 2 singing Christmas tree performances during the normal worship times. We decided to bring Seth since he has been in love with lights since we put up our own tree. We were a little nervous about him sitting through all of it...but he did! He did a great job and went back and forth between Spencer and I and no fits were thrown! He loved clapping for the singers. That night we had our class Christmas Party where we exchanged gag gifts that we had just laying around the house. Spencer and I gave an old ceramic (ugly) lamb and a old (ugly) red bird. And we got Christmas towels and a soda coozy. Everyone brought their kids for a total of about 20 or so!! We all ate yummy food ... I made meatballs (and to my shame, used my crockpot for the first time since we've been married). The kids watched a movie while we opened gifts. And at the end Seth got in the middle of our circle and entertained us all with his drumming! (he also played the piano as people were arriving for the party!)Daddy and Seth in front of the big tree at church
he ran straight for the piano when we got to the party early

all the kids watching a movie (seth is in orange in the back)

our big group after the gift exchange

seth drumming with a popcorn tin and kitchen utensils

MacGorman Chapel Dedication

In 2007 (my next to last semester and spencer's last as a masters student) the vision was released to build a new chapel for the growing student body at Southwestern. Over the next 4 years, old housing was torn down and an almost always empty parking lot was re-landscaped in order for the new chapel to be built. It took about 14 months for the construction of the chapel itself, with men working vigorously to meet the Dec. 1, 2011 deadline - which was scheduled to hold the dedication and Handel's Messiah performance that night. The chapel itself is named after Professor Emeritus, Dr. J.W. "Jack" MacGorman (who is probably around 90 yrs old). As a side note, you can usually spot him easily if he's on campus by the plaid driving hat he wears...he also still speaks with a heavy Scottish accent! The tower is a prayer room that over looks the campus and the surrounding community. Many of the rooms were dedicated to the people that gave money toward the construction. Some of the rooms include a Dead Sea Scroll Library, the prayer tower room, the family room, and the guest room for speakers. Along one hall there are handwritten sermon notes (orignals) from well known pastors and evangelist that Dr. Patterson graciously put on display. There is also a baptistry in the foyer that was donated by a local church so that young men can practice baptizing in the pastoral ministry classes before they go on to pastor a church of their own. The chapel is where they will now hold all graduation ceremonies, so Spencer will be getting his Doctoral Degree very soon here! The ribbon cutting was outside (media was present) in a brisk 50 degrees early in the morning and was followed by the chapel dedication service (which was a little emotional for many, including us). 2 people were saved during the service and many others confirmed calls God had on their lives! The music was beautiful and the speeches were Biblical and encouraging! Spencer and I are so proud, honored and humbled to be Southwesterners!! The MacGorman Chapel
Dr. Patterson


Chapel dedication service (we are sitting on the left)

The baptistry for future ministers to practice

another view of the chapel

another view from the balcony

Ribbon cutting, from left (Dr. & Mrs. MacGorman, Mr & Mrs Riley, Dr. Patterson)

One of the halls containing sermon notes of historical pastors/evangelists

Touring the new chapel (kind of blurry)

Dr. MacGorman closing the service with prayer

Dr. Patterson giving a brief and powerful message

view from our seats...the orchestra warming up

The program for the day

view overlooking the foyer from the 2nd floor

looking down into the practice baptistry

Black Friday

Black Friday at the Plumlee house was fairly low key. Spencer and I each took turns going for a morning run since the child care at our gym was closed. Then Seth helped me get out some of the Christmas decorations and watched in awe as Spencer climbed into the attic to get our tree out. Seth loved digging in the boxes and getting things out and handing them to us...what a helper! He likes to take just one ornament off and try to put it back on! When we got home from shopping he went straight to the tree and wanted it to be turned on! We watched "Charlie Brown Christmas" while deocrating and Seth really liked it and laughed alot! So of course he went and got his Snoopy toy! (thanks GG!!) We also can't wait for him to see the outside lights which we will put up tomorrow! Yes, we ventured out and went shopping! We didn't go in to Fort Worth, but went to Burleson (a suburb of FTW) where we knew it would be less crowded. Since we shopped after 5pm it wasn't bad at all and actually still got some pretty good deals! Seth staring at the tree saying woooow and ooooh

he's actually playing with the ribbon behind his back helping daddy put ornaments on the tree

being a big helper looking at what he did

He loves Charlie Brown

playing with snoopy while watching Charlie Brown!

Thankful

I forgot and didn't take many pictures at Thanksgiving this year, but here are just a few. Seth finds his favorite hat and finds favorite place to sit! Spencer carved the yummy turkey and we ended up playing a mean game of Phase 10! Congrats Julie for winnning it all!!

Birthday Weekend!

We could not have asked for more perfect weather for Seth's party...warm and in the mid-70s! We all had a great time with family and friends, but missed the family that couldn't be here to celebrate with us! Seth and his friends loved the toddler bounce house we rented...it was a perfect size for them and for our backyard! He loved all of his gifts, the cake and the cupcakes his gammie made! He also loved getting to see Pop and Gran when they came down for the party!!

Christmas Sneek Peek!

What better way to get a toddler to sit still for a picture than colorful Christmas lights?!