3rd Week of December Highlights

These pictures are in backwards order but we had our 3rd church performance on Monday afternoon.
Tuesday was our staff lunch and some quick Christmas shopping for me.
Wednesday was a day for me to quickly finish my mom's calendar gift....it's no surprise. She said it was all she wanted for Christmas....so I whipped it up lickety split...just kidding!
Thursday was Micah's party at school...we came up with 4 games and 2 crafts plus snacks. We had 2 hours but it wasn't nearly enough time. Who would have known! The magnet boards turned out really cute as did the ornaments. I made up my own bingo cards so if anyone ever wants to borrow them....I would love to share! They are even laminated!
Friday was the school white cape program. It was awesome! The kids sang a dutch hymn so loudly it was amazing...then they sang the Hallelujah Chorus and it was so loud I almost felt like it was pushing me back in my chair...stunning! I was very impressed and found myself feeling extremely blessed by our wonderful music program. What the kids are learning is so important! After the program I did a party in Haileys class with a friend who also has a daughter in that class. Then we came home and just hung out...and cooking some food. We had dinner with friends and then went to Taylor's piano recital. My Aunt had surger this week so we went to help her set up. The recital was nice but tons of people in a small space. Taylor played TrePak from the Nutcracker, What Child is This, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, and We Wish you a Merry Christmas. She did a great job...Watching her sit up there brought back so many "not so good" memories from when I used to have piano recitals. I remember having sweaty hands and my heart would thump almost out of my chest. The nerves took over and it was hard to concentrate....but that was me....Taylor doesn't seem to have the same fears as I did. Hopefully she will keep getting opportunities to play so that she doesn't develop those fears. We love to listen to her playing Christmas music and that has been very special these past few weeks. On Friday Jeff also finished up a 3 week by-pass project and all I can say is WAHOO!

2nd Week of December

Looking at all these pictures it is no wonder I felt like I was having a nervous breakdown! Especially since we did it all without Jeff who was working around the clock....literally!
We made peppermint hot chocolate when we came in from the snow...yummy! Here are the cute snowmen the kids made with mom using pretzel rods, white chocolate bark, fruit roll ups, peachy o's, chocolate chips, and gum drops

Let it snow!

VC family Christmas party

Christmas program at church...

Making Christmas Trains with Owen

Finger Licking Good!

Sweet little baby girl!

Basketball game...

Gems Mother Daughter Pajama Party

1st Week of December Highlights

Hailey bug turned 9! Wow...it is hard to believe this is her last year of single digits. She is such a blessing to our family. We had a great time celebrating her!

Grandma Great was even able to come to her birthday party.

Hamballs!

Had to get a picture of her stockings! LOVE EM! Wish they could make those in adult sizes!

Taylor and her best friend...since Kindergarten at Ebenezer! We hope Kenadi will come to Lynden Christian soon!

Bible Study friends before group one morning....what a blessing these girls have been in my life. It is nice to have a safe place to be yourself...believe me....I am quirky and they still let me come!

Taylor tried out for the solo in her class and got a special part singing....all three girls did a good job and Mrs. Lenssen couldn't decide so they had a trio!

Orchestra....5th grade Christmas program. I have to say I wasn't expecting much but I was very impressed! Mrs. Smit and Mr. Van Sickle deserve a lot of credit...not to mention Mrs. Lenssen..WOW!