Christmas Programs

I'll move on to Christmas fun soon but wanted to post a couple photos from the school programs first. Holly, Lucas, Tyler and Joey had their Christmas program Friday before break and did a great job as usual in their traditional white capes and red bows.

Mia had an orchestra concert as well and did a great job. Grandpa and Grandma R. were even able to be here for all the programs.

The BEST Christmas Pageant Ever!

Okay, so it wasn't a Christmas pageant, but it was one of the best Christmas programs ever. This year our church included the parents in the program and it was a great one!

The Captain of the Roman Soldiers took his job very seriously!

Some of his soldiers trying to look serious and growl.

A very angelic angel doing her part well.

And this little guy just wanting to be with his friends singing.

And Janelle, this was to much for me to pass up! :)

And in case the photos aren't enough, here's a video clip of the Roman Soldiers (thanks JVH!)



(If anyone from Sonlight is wanting any photos, e-mail me, I've got a bunch)

Snow, Turkeys and a Birthday

Within the last 48 hours we've enjoyed all 3 to the fullest!

Holly had a birthday today and we celebrated tonight with some of her friends.

They had a couple Lego building contests.

Played a little Lego Rockband, too.

And ate some Lego Cake Pops.  Not my finest attempt but they're a work in progress.

They should have looked a little more like these accept on sticks. Holly brought these Cake Balls for her birthday treat on Wednesday...yummy!

Does anyone remember these gems? They've got to be 25 years old at least! My kids love it when Grandma brings treasures from her house.

Anyone else have kids paging through the catalogs? Lucas' favorite right now is the Cabela's one, making his Dad proud and me a little worried! :)

Holly and Mia attempted to stay up until Holly's birthday. Eric and I both suggested they do otherwise.

Thanksgiving morning we woke up to this! Everyone was just a little excited!

Adorable hat thanks to Amy and The Abbey Project.

Perfect packing and snowball snow!


Lucas is just showing how we all really felt after our yummy Thanksgiving dinner.


Our day was complete when Grandpa and Grandma R. showed up after a long, slow drive across the country.

Earlier this week the first grade classes all got together for a Thanksgiving feast of popcorn and apple juice and some singing and a movie, too. This class is huge and they all got together in one room to celebrate.

Joey isn't to sure he likes me hanging around school so much and popping in whenever I want with my camera. Too bad, buddy! :)
Thanks for catching up with us!  Hope you all are enjoying a great Thanksgiving weekend.  We've got much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So thankful for the blessings God has abundantly showered on us!

Livin' Inside Out

In An Upside Down World


The sixth grade class along with their fabulous music teacher are putting on an awesome musical this weekend! You won't want to miss it! More pictures to come!

Mr. Gourdhead

I loved Mia's take on "carving" her pumpkin this year.  Rather clever and way less messy.  The funny thing about our pumpkin carving was we did it on November 1.  No one seemed to really care, either! :)

Working together...

to fill up those candy buckets! (Thanks, Grandma, for hauling out your "costume making machine" once again to make some fabulous costumes! The sweatshirts are being worn daily now that Halloween is over)

to get homework done.

on a new family project.

to make sure all library books are returned on time! Have your kids come home with these yet? They're super cool bookmarks. Remember the "scratch and sniff stickers"? Well, these are just "sniff" bookmarks and the kids get them when they return their library books on time. Pretty cool incentive, Mrs. Kok!

to make our days start just a little better. I've started a new job at school this year and Tyler has started a new routine because of it. I drop the rest of the kids off by the middle school and head over to the Central Office. Tyler always comes with me, heads in to say "Good Morning" to the great girls I work with in the office and then stops in at Mr. Kok's office for a little chat (and a piece of chocolate) before heading out the door to school.

Life's pretty good around here!

The End

L, T and J had their last soccer practice last week and their last game yesterday. According to Tyler they got "crushed" but oh well! Look at the view from their field. Doesn't get much better than that!

That same night the 8th grade football team that Eric is part of coaching had their last home game.

And I found this by Holly's bed after she was asleep. We've been fighting off some colds but seem to be turning the corner.

Love the fall moon on these cold clear nights.

Yesterday was everyone's last soccer games. Holly's team (not everyone was here when we quick snapped the picture) finished a great season with a win.

Mia's team beat their friends team in a shoot-out to advance to the finals but lost that game. However, it was a great season, too. Lots of great girls I had the opportunity to coach and get to know.

As much fun as this fall has been, we will enjoy a little bit more free time in the weeks ahead.

Personality

Our poor guinea pigs spent more time at school last week being show-n-tell. Other than shedding off handfuls of hair due to the stress they survived just fine. However, watching the different personality styles as Lucas, Tyler and Joey each took a turn showing them to their own classrooms was quite entertaining. I didn't get many photos of Lucas but these of Joey and Tyler should tell enough of a story.

Joey was excited for the big reveal.

But first lets his mother know he disapproves of her taking more photos.




Fielding questions.

A successful performance.

Tyler's main objective was to make sure he looked good and make sure every one was having a good time.

When asked by his teacher to move her stool over so the kids could get around the box easier, he was happy to.

Then he quickly climbed to the top, stood a little taller and announced to his class that "IT'S TIME FOR RECESS!". Everyone cheered and his teacher and I just looked at each other, shaking our heads and laughing along with them.

Really, truly, never a dull moment.