January Post- (Just in Time!)

Popcorn Party!  Even the dolls have a bowl of buttery goodness!

Scout got sprayed by a skunk, and we did our best in the cold and dark to de-skunk her.  It was...memorable.  (Especially when she broke free of her collar, slipped through the door, and ran her wet, stinky self around our living room while some screamed, some laughed, and some cried.)  The next week, we dropped our high energy lab off at the groomer's for a bath.  The nice lady told me that it would take about 3 hours, and they would call us when she was ready for pick-up.  Lo and behold, we received a call within the hour saying we could come get our dog.  "See you soon!" said the not so subtle dog groomer.  Oh Scout- how we love her.   

Scott's keyboard skills are continuing to blow me away.  We heard the choir sing a cool song the other week in church, and I told Scott that I liked it.  He then listened to it again when we got home and had me print out the words.  He then played it, and it sounds so good!  He now is even playing this song on his saxophone too.  I love it!

The girls had fun participating in a cheer camp in early January.  Natalie was encouraging me to join in some of their moves and said, "You still have a little bit of cheerleading juice left in you."  I guess I'll take that as a compliment?!:)

Both girls were feeling a bit under the weather this day, but their half-time performance went well. 

Two thumbs up for Superpower Dogs 3D!  They would highly recommend and only watched the preview 20-something times. 

That's a Wrap

This is my final post of the year.  The kids and pets are not allowed to look cute, say anything cute, do anything cute, etc. until 2020.  The blog book for 2019 is being ordered in the morning. 

 

Since the promotion, Jon has had to work a ton.  He worked a long stretch of days in a row and on his only two days off, he did the most logical thing- cut trees and chop wood. Thankfully, he had some happy helpers to assist! 

The girls are lobbying for gymnastics lessons in the coming year.  Jon keeps warning, "Don't break your neck" as they flip and flop about in the basement. 

Scott's class spent a morning volunteering at the Salvation Army. 

 

 

Ironically, in looking back on past years, I've written exactly 29 blog posts in 2017 and 2018, and this is my 29th post for 2019.  I know I will appreciate the blog books eventually, but I may need to cut out more content in the coming years.  The kids are less appreciative of the cute/embarrassing stories that I am putting on here even though I assure them that I only have about 3 readers.  So, I may need to rethink how I capture these memories in the future.  Regardless, 2019 has been a great year, and we are thankful for the Lord's provision and blessing.  Happy New Year!  

Journal Entries

As an early Christmas gift, the girls made a trip to the American Girl store with Grandpa & Grandma.  Natalie had been talking about this for the past two years, so she was excited when they finally made her dream come true.

As a Christmas surprise, the girls received American Girl dolls.  We had unboxed Kate's doll and the doll still had a hair net on, but she was walking around with it like that.  I asked Kate if she wanted to take the hair net off, but she said, "Oh, that's one of Natalie's favorite parts, so I was waiting for her to come back so that we could do it together."  I love it!:)

Special Veteran's Day program at school with our family's favorite veteran-

Overheard from the other room- The girls had a hip hop beat playing and were dancing very enthusiastically to it.  Scott saw them and said, "Stop it!  This is what's ruining our country." 

Kate and a friend have a play date scheduled for tomorrow.  They even wrote out a detailed itinerary at school listing everything they want to do while they are together.  Instead of asking, "How many more days until Christmas?" Kate has been asking, "How many more days until the play date?"  

She received a puzzle for Christmas and I suggested that she could work on it with her friend during the play date.  She thoughtfully said, "Well, doing puzzles is not on the list, but talking IS on the list, so maybe we could do the puzzle during the talking time."  

She later said, "If I wake up at 7:45 tomorrow, how many hours would it be until the play date?"  When I told her, she groaned and said, "I'm going to try and sleep until 1:00."  

It better be a rip-roarin' good time because it's been HIGHLY anticipated!:)  They put "Eat Brownie" on the list too, so I better get on that and whip up a batch!

Natalie: How come you laugh at Kate and never get mad at her?  But don't worry, I'm not going to throw her in a pit.  (Oh, thank you, Joseph...I mean...Natalie)

Take a long look at the kitties because they are on borrowed time.  For some reason, no one responded to my ad to adopt them.  Perhaps I should have left out the line about one of them regressing in his litter box training.  Anyway...not sure if we will keep them around much longer. 

Scout went a huntin' on Thanksgiving morning and brought home a big rabbit.  Thankfully, Carol made a delicious turkey that we were able to eat instead. 

Natalie on Christmas Eve:  Don't forget to put out presents tonight.
Me: Really??  Have I ever forgotten that?!  
Natalie:  No, but it's just one of those things that kids must remind their parents of kind of like you reminding us to be good at Grandpa and Grandma's house. 

                                        

To be continued...(Can you tell I'm on a mission to catch up on 2019 before the end of the year?!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2019!

 

Surprise!  BIG Smiles! 

Reindeer Costume A:

Reindeer Costume B:

 Which Christmas costume would you like, Piper?

Bah-humbug!  I think Piper is ready to move on!

First Grade is FABULOUS!

Kate has so many fun days in first grade.  Her teachers go out of their way to making learning fun!

Secret Spy Day-  The teachers used black lights and played spy music.  The kids had to crawl through the room to complete different missions.  It was an all day event!

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Feast-

 Gingerbread Play Day-

Pancake & PJ Day-

"Nugget" for a Week- Kate got to bring home a stuffed bunny (Nugget) home for a week.  She carried the rabbit with her everywhere and took excellent care of it.  One day, we were getting ready to run to a store which I had previously commented about it being in a shady area.  Anyway, we were getting ready to go to this area again, and Kate must have remembered me talking about it before.  She was walking out of the house with Nugget and then ran back in and very seriously said, “I better leave him at home since we are going to a bad area.”  :):)   I think that was the only time she left him alone all week (for the bunny’s safe-keeping of course).

She took cousin rabbits to play with the cousins!:)

 So far, it's been one very groovy school year!