Monday, December 31, 2012

Reflections of 2012

Can't believe that 2013 is almost here.  Have been thinking off and on today about this past year.  The plans we had, the events that happened that we had no clue were going to happen, watching how God continued to provide for us, wondering what was going to happen next and through it all continuing to trust Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The High's and Low's of 2012

January ~ 
Ringing in the New Year with friends at the Lone Star Corral
Attending a couple of RV Shows ~ always fun to dream

February ~ 
Dealing with new bosses
Enjoying the beautiful Hill Country of Texas

March ~ 
A long awaited trip home to meet our youngest grandson, Treyson
Seeing friends
Lots of shared hugs & kisses with our boys and their families

April ~ 
Losing our jobs at Lone Star Corral ~ just wondering what the heck happened and what happened to open and honest communication between a boss or in our cases bosses
Seeking God and asking for clarity on what to do
A new job opportunity in Branson, MO

May ~ 
 Watching God open doors and providing in ways we could never imagine

June ~ 
Meeting lots of new people
Enjoying the perks of working in Branson
Grand Country Shows, Silver Dollar City, Neil Mccoy

July ~
Seeing the beauty in God's country
Finding out we were going to be grandparents again!

August ~
Working hard and having fun running the campground

September ~
Watching Amish children playing in the school yard
Attending our first ever Amish Produce Auction
(can't wait to go again in the Spring)

October ~ 
Getting involved with a local church
Being a part of a great ladies fellowship group (Ali)
Seeing answered prayer ~ all the funds for a new artificial eye for Ali

November ~
Seeing God work miracles and His hand on our children's lives
Learning to trust a little bit more

December ~
Trusting the Lord to provide for our needs
Finding out the last Friday of the month that we have jobs for 2013!
Enjoying the fellowship of other believers as we celebrate the reason for the season.
Enjoying many of the Christmas shows here in Branson
Celebrating 37 years of marriage!!!
Welcoming the newest member of our family ~ Alexander Victor Aren Workentin
And relishing over and over in the love, support and prayers of our
family and friends!!!

Eagerly anticipating seeing what the Lord has in his plans for us in 2013!
Claiming his promise as shared in 

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Happy New Year to all our friends & family!!!




Sunday, December 30, 2012

New Beginnings ~ Part Two

And then one day 
Linus joined our family on wheels.


 8 weeks old
about 5 lbs
male
pug/beagle mixed

 What my guys do best! - Nap!!!!


New Beginnings ~ Part One

Please welcome the newest member of the Workentin family.

Alexander Victor Aren Workentin
arrived on 12/27/12
at 10:43 p.m.
weighing in at 9 lbs 11 oz, 21" long

Daddy ~ Brandon
Mommy ~ Danalyn
Leading the Pack ~ Big Brother ~ Max
Then comes ~ Brother ~ Christopher
Not too far behind ~ Brother ~ Treyson
Alex looks a lot like his daddy at birth - double chin and all!

One contented baby and one happy Daddy!

Isn't he precious!!!

We love you Alexander and can't wait to meet you in person!! 

L to R ~ Christopher, 4 1/2, Treyson, 19 months, Max 14 years.

And we can't forget the brothers 3!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas Day 2012

 Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
                         Opal Rae                   Max, Christopher & Treyson          
Jamie & Suzanne's daughter     Brandon & Danalyn's 3 boys

Christmas 2012 was just us this year.

Top of the list was making turkey in our rig - this is the 6th Christmas in our rig and the first time making a turkey in it.  I checked with the local grocer/meat cutter and was told "of course, we can cut your turkey in half."  When I went to the grocery store and asked the meat cutter he looked at me kind of puzzled but said "OK".  And so I made our first traditional Christmas dinner ever in the rig.

What do you think?
Turkey & gravy
Dressing & Orange/peach jello salad
Yams w/marshmallows and Green bean casserole

Yukon gold mashed potatoes w/garlic

Finished off with brownies & rice krispy treats!
 And of course no special dinner would be complete without a catastrophe of some kind ~ Ron reached for a glass, hit the bowl of jello salad, it did a full flip landing right side up and leaving this mess on the way down.
Jello salad decorating the cupboard, rug and floor :)
And then we got to Skype/Facetime with all four of our grandchildren.  It was fun to hear about their day and what Santa brought them. 

 Christopher & Treyson making faces!

Opal ... she sure reminds us of her daddy when he was this age.

Max - age 14!
Chris who loves to have his picture taken.
Treyson who loves to play with balls ~ can you tell he is hiding one in his hands.
Our precious Opal!
Different shots of the Workentin boys!

The Workentin Grands - 2012
Aren't they cute???

One more of all four of them! 

And after a full tummy this is what Santa does


At the end of a great day!!!


Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Lights Around Branson ~ 12/23/12

After going to Friendly Baptist Church for the Candlelight service tonight we decided to drive around Branson and check out the Christmas Lights.  

The sunset as we were leaving for church about 4:45 p.m.
Another view of the sunset.












Ride the Ducks




Music City Center

Dixie Stampede
Dixie Stampede

Dixie Stampede

Carriage in front of Dixie Stampede


This is on the other side of Lake Taneycomo from Branson Landing

Bass Pro Shop


Outside at Branson Landing

Another view of the Nativity Scene seen from Branson Landing


Santa on an elephant in one of the window shops.

Looking down the center of Branson Landing

Christmas Tree in the center of Branson Landing (picture of tree earlier in the post was taken from the Jeep).


Love the tree in the background to the left.

A little blurry but look who we spotted out doing some last minute shopping.

1st Presbyterian Church.

Sorry for the blurriness ~ this is in front of 1st Baptist Church in Branson











Going up the drive way to The Chateau on the Lake

Chateau on the Lake

Clock tower in front of Chateau on the Lake

Spotted Santa's sleigh in front of Chateau on the Lake

Hope you enjoyed this tour of Branson!