Karys' Preschool Christmas Concert

This year, Karys' preschool school class was asked to join the Kindergarten class for a few numbers at the OCCS Christmas program. This was new to us, as Gracie's class didn't have this opportunity last year and the public school doesn't do a Christmas program. It was fun though and Karys just loves to sing and perform and was so excited for it!I know, I know...but I just had to post this picture b/c girls, you cannot tell me you don't remember the days of eating with your shirt off before you were allowed to put your dress on so you didn't spill on your dress! Just brought back memories for me and made me laugh, and Karys thought it was so fun!Karys waiting in line to go in and sing! They sang, "Bring a torch Jeanette Isabella" (that is what she wants to name the baby if it is a girl BTW :). They each brought a flashlight which they made into torches at school. Karys is definitely a girlie girl!!! She was thrilled to get all dressed up and get her hair curled for the big night ;)We waited in the back and got the chance to say "Hi" to KJ before she headed to the stage...1)the chapel was really full and we just planned to stay for the preschool numbers and then head home and 2) that would be a long time for the other girlies to sit. We didn't know though, that the bands that would be playing before the kids sang would take so long! The concert started at 7pm, the kiddos had to be there at 6:45 and they didn't go on stage til 8pm...we had to get home and get our kiddos to bed!All of the kiddos with their torches! Karys did great! You could see her mouth moving big from all the way in the back of the chapel ;)They also did a rendition of Away in a Manger using bells. Each child was given a color and they had to ring their bell when the teachers held up their chosen color. Karys LOVED this and took it very seriously! She explained to me how you had to ring your bell hard when the teacher said and then showed me exactly how they were to hold the bells when their color wasn't showing :)The video of the program is so GREAT! Karys' face as she did this was so focused and serious yet so precious and cute!!! We were so proud of Karys and her wonderful performance! She had to much fun, but as always was eager to get home and change into something a little more cozy and was in bed shortly there after!

The Joys of Pudding

Just some fun pictures that Rob took of Addyson eating chocolate pudding all by herself ;)

Gracie and Daddy Brave the Blizzard

The week before Christmas (Sat) we got some pretty bad weather up in our neck of the woods. It was snowing like crazy, but the worst part was the high winds that we were getting. As soon as Gracie saw the fresh snow falling outside though she was eager to get bundled up and head out in it! I had gotten up earlier with the girls that am and Rob got the chance to sleep in a little (I will be the first to admit he doesn't get that chance much and usually allows me to have the honors). As soon as he did get out of bed she began her plight to convince him to come outside with her--up until this point Addy was the only one who wanted to but Mommy told her she was too little and it was too cold :(Daddy did what any man would do--that is any man who could for see a day of being stuck inside with 4 females--He bundled up and found a reason to head out...we needed milk :) Gracie was thrilled!Addyson was so bummed that she couldn't go with, I highly doubt she really knew what the adventure entailed ;) but none the less she was trying to crawl up on Daddy's lap in hopes he would bring her with!She ended up being able to crawl up on a chair and look out the window as they scooped some of the sidewalk. At one point Rob was throwing snow balls at the window--it was hilarious! We got this part on video (and the beginning of their walk to the store). She would get wide-eyed and jump and then laugh hysterically!I thought Gracie would freeze before they even left the yard, but once she got her scarf adjusted and herself situated she was good to go and in it for the long haul ;)
They had a GREAT time scooping the walk, playing in the snow making angels, and throwing snow at Addyson! I wish I had a picture of them walking to the store but that footage is all on the video camera :) By the time they got to the end of the driveway you couldn't even see them anymore! But they had a GREAT time and even came home with two gallons of milk. Rob tried to ask for carry out to our front door...but that service wasn't available ;)

The Annual Cutting Down of the Christmas Tree

For the past few years, ever since we have been living in Orange City, we have had the tradition of going out to the tree farm and cutting down our own Christmas tree. Rob grew up with this tradition and it is one that we have chosen to continue with our own family. This year we did wait until a week after Thanksgiving, (prime time to go is the day after :) and we are lucky we went when we did b/c it was the last Saturday that they were going to be open. It was not a busy place at all...oh wait, that is b/c it was FREEZING! I didn't get many pictures of our adventure 1) b/c it was so cold and I was holding Addyson close most of the time trying to keep her nice and wrapped up and 2) the camera battery was as good as dead :(When I look at this picture I just have to laugh...KJ is definitely holding a purse, Addy was freezing, Rob is smiling from ear to ear like he is happy I want to get a picture after he had already cut the tree down--so he is holding it up while holding Addy, not to mention that we forgot the saw when the tractor brought us way out across the field and over the bridge, and Gracie can hardly see out from underneath her hat ;)Cuddling in under a tree until the tractor and wagon came back out to pick us up!
Riding with the girlies on the flatbed back up to the barn where the shook out the tree and we were able to warm up by the heater and eat some yummy candy canes! Addyson discovered she loves candy canes! The trees were pretty picked over this year, we froze our booties off, and the camera died...but when it comes down to it this is a tradition we love as a family and hopefully will continue to do for years to come!

One of the First Snows...

One of our first snows this winter, you know--the ones that actually cover the ground and stick for a little while? The girls took advantage of some great play time with each other while Gracie was at school...and what do you know--Karys ended up in her swimsuit! :)Karys loves to get out her guitar and say to Addyson, "Alright, Addy...you sing and I will play my guitar." As you can see in the background, Addyson wasn't as interested in singing as she was in styling Karys' hair for herOh man, just look at this little girl with her curling iron! You are in trouble Daddy!
Addy is growing up so fast...and although it is hard to see happen, I do love the fact that she is actually able to play with the girls and interact with them more. I really pray that these sisters are able to form a bond that just runs so deep and a true love and appreciation for each other!

Thanksgiving at Home

This year for Thanksgiving, we ended up staying home in Orange City. I almost didn't know what to do with myself...we were going to be home for a holiday?!?! We really had no where to be or go?!?! But we really didn't, Rob's siblings both took vacations out of state, Megan wasn't coming home b/c we had just been t/g in AZ and it was Sarah's holiday to work. When I realized this was the case I called Doreen to see what she and Brent had planned for the weekend. After chatting about our options, they volunteered to come up and not only celebrate with us in our neck of the woods, but also for Brent to help Rob get a start on finishing off our basement after having it tiled in late August. This was GREAT news for us!!! It definitely was a different holiday; the boys worked in the basement most of the morning while we entertained the girls and worked on the food...we called them up to come and have a nice meal with us on a break from their labor ;)We weren't really thinking we would cook a big meal, but Rob went out and bought a turkey, Doreen made the stuffing and sweet potatoes, I added some baked pineapple and some yummy rolls and we ended up with quite the spread!And of course, no holiday would be complete without some sparkling grape juice for the kiddos--and for mommy ;)I don't know if they even had any left to drink with their meal ;)Addy licking her fingers clean!Grandma reading some books to Karys after dinner...we had a "rest time" before we headed off to see the new Disney movie "Tangled" in the theater. It ended up that it was in 3D...and even thought the girls wouldn't wear the glasses we had a GREAT time! Thanks for the treat Grandma!
A closing shot of Addy and I...a self-portrait we took ourselves ;)

Grandma's 80th Birthday Party

The weekend of Nov 12-14, our family headed down to Leisure World in Mesa, AZ to celebrate my Grandma Lois' 80th Birthday. It was such a GREAT weekend! My entire side of the family was able to make it, as well as aunts, uncles, and many friends. I have not seen my grandma as happy as I did that weekend in a long time! She has been such a BLESSING in my life and I am so grateful that we were able to be there to celebrate her life!
My mom was again the AMAZING party planner behind the event! She just did so much work both up front and behind the scenes to make the day so special and fun for my Grandma! She even found this vintage nursing uniform that she brought with to display ;)The kiddos hanging out while we decorated...The large jar was filled with "Daily Doses"...my mom got large pill capsules from the local vet and had everyone who was invited (whether they made it or not) write little blessings, verses, etc for my grandma to open each day as her "Daily Dose of JOY!" The binder there was the guestbook and there were more papers available for more notes, the goal was to be able to get 365...one dose a day for a full year!There was another display table of surgical supplies...my Grandma was an OR nurse/PA for a lot of years! My mom was able to get most of the supplies donated from the hospital in Sioux Falls and my sister Sarah also contributed supplies. It is so AWESOME to think about my grandma as a nurse and one of her greatest joys, I think, is that 4 out of 6 of us granddaughters have all gone on to become nurses as well!There were pill bottles on every table that were the favors for the party...they were so cute and were filled with "pills" (Skittles/Mike n Ikes)There was a nice table at the front as well with my grandma's nursing school graduation picture and other scrapbooks and photos of Grandma with family.Megan did Grandma's hair and make-up for the party...she looked AMAZING! And I think she felt like a million bucks ;) She couldn't stop smiling throughout the party as she greeted and chatted with family and friends....it was such a JOY to watch her glow!Grandma's party was also the first time the family got to meet Taylor--Megan's boyfriend!!!! This was also a big event, that of course everyone talked up and joked about. Taylor was a real trooper and did great with all of our questions and jokes! He is a GREAT compliment to Megan (the oldest of a family of three boys ;) and we are looking forward to more opportunities in the future to get to know him better!When the party ended, the kiddos headed out to the courtyard to release the balloons...I think there were some big ppl who were a little concerned that this wasn't an environmentally savvy event...However, it did look really cool and the kiddos LOVED it!The transportation of choice for the weekend ;)Definitely played a few games of bag-it!!! Taylor was definitely a newbie, but caught on as the night went on We were the champions of this match!Aunt Shirley teaching all of the girlies to smell their feel after a day of celebrating!The girls watching Grandma go through and open her cards...The rest of the pictures are ones that my cousin took at the party! She is just getting started in the photography business and she got some really GREAT shots! It was so great to get a family picture with Grandma...again she was just glowing with JOY!
Praise the Lord for a BEAUTIFUL and JOYFUL weekend! I am so blessed by my grandmother and a wonderful family to celebrate with!