the connecticut shaws

Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloween Party!

We had a little party with our friends tonight. The kids had a blast...and the adults did as well!

I think this is why we have the phrase, "As cute as a pumpkin!"

The Petersons + one!

Amya liked my costume because she really likes cats. Dan had to go through 3 costumes before Amya decided it was ok. She sobbed at the first two.

Here is a group shot of all the cuties! If you look at the skunk (Sadie) in the background, you can see that something caught her eye....

...the cat on the roof!!!

Amya's first attempt at trick-or-treating

Then we headed downtown, where they close off the streets and all the kids go collect candy from the shop owners.

In an ironic twist of fate, Molly ended up wearing the cat ears. neither Dan nor I put them on her, so it must have been Amya!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Happy Halloween!

Any guesses as to who these two famous pumpkins are?

Leave your guess in the comment section

...later in the night, Amya wanted to decorate her pumpkin, so she drew on it and Dan carved it for her... (she was afraid of all of them)

...and even later that night, Amya couldn't get enough of this!(you can still see the glitter hand prints on the door behind her!)

...no, it doesn't have anything to do with politics or global warming. But if you make it to the bottom, you'll probably figure it out. I stumbled upon this conspiracy pamphlet last night while at a small, hush-hush meeting.

ENTER THE STORY

[Worship Fully]
It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It's a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It's a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It's the party of the year. Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.

[Spend Less]
Before you think we're going all Scrooge on you, keep reading. How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? Thanks, but no thanks, right? We're asking people to consider spending less this Christmas (maybe buying one less gift - just one). Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season.

[Give More]
God's gift to us was a relationship built on love. So it's no wonder why we're drawn to the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends and family in the most memorable ways possible. Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter hos hard we look, it can't be found at the mall. Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to take the kids sledding. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols. Time to make love visible through relational giving. Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right?

[Love All]
When Jesus loved, He loved in ways never imagined before. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick. He played to the margins. By spending less at Christmas we have the opportunity to join Him in giving resources to those who need help the most. When Advent Conspiracy first began, four churches challenged this simple concept to its congregations. The result raised more than a half million dollars to aid those in need. So, this isn't a theory based on good intentions. It's a movement that's saving lives.

...hhhhhmmmmmm...