Clean Clothes & Christmas at Last!

Our washing machine broke, and we finally got our new one delivered on Christmas Eve.  I spent much of the day catching up on laundry.  I've never had such a good attitude about doing multiple loads of laundry- folding and all!  

Natalie woke at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning- very eager to see the gifts under the tree. 

Scout was really confused when we asked her to come on the carpet for a picture.  She usually gets scolded for this, so she didn't know what to think and acted like it was some kind of trick. 

Blurry picture below of Kate loving on her new Wonky Donkey.  Ask her to tell you the best phrases from the book.  Kate's accent cracks us up every time!

Our final Christmas celebration happened Christmas afternoon at Mike & Carol's.   Time for another photo op by the tree!

Great Grandma Betty & Kids- all decked out in red!

The longed for dolls of 2018- Kit & Samantha.   It was fun watching the girls open these dolls!

Scout even received a special Christmas toy that she would highly recommend to any dog friends.   Get those squeaky squirrels!

It was a good Christmas and a good year! 

 "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!" -Psalm 126:3

Christmas Celebration #1

A friend was making fun of me for taking down my Christmas tree ON Christmas day (before noon, by the way- eek!), and I was making fun of her for listening to Christmas music after the 25th.  She encouraged me to try it- saying it's "like all the joy of Christmas without any of the pressure or stress!" 

So, as I sit down to document our Christmases (mainly through pictures)...I am listening to some new-to-me Christmas songs by Casting Crowns and am loving them. 

 We celebrated Christmas with my family a few days before Christmas.  Now that Derek is out of state, it seems extra special when we get to see him and his sweet family! 

Grandma Joyce likes to refuse to be in pictures anymore, but I was able to snag this one.  Who could say no to just one shot with the great grandkids?

Spelling, Solos, & Skulls- OH MY!

Scott had the opportunity to be on a Spell Bowl team this year.  It was a great experience and a fun competition to watch!

We enjoyed the school Christmas program recently.  Natalie and Kate were selected to sing solos!  Poor Kate was battling a major cold, but she still managed to give it her best shot- raspy voice and all!  We were proud of them for getting up there and doing it.  Scott will vouch that each girl practiced her solo at home a billion times.  

(I got the "memory full" notice on my phone right as Kate stepped up to sing, and I was sooo bummed!!  Thankfully, some other moms shared the clips with me- however I didn't get too many pictures.  And everyone knows...I like pictures!)

Me:  Kate, today the dentist said you are doing a very good job with your brushing.  Keep that up!
Sly Kate:  Ha!  I fooled them.  I just brushed really well right before I went to the dentist.  Some nights, I just go, 'brush, brush, done!'

 Look what Scout brought home this time!!

 Natalie's class Christmas party- They were attempting to dress her like a tree!

One of these children did not care to participate in the library's holiday photo booth.  Can you guess which one?  I made him anyway!:)

 That's a wrap!

Notes from Nifty November

Somehow, the kids got on the topic of pain during childbirth.  Natalie started to panic and say that she didn't want to have babies if it hurt. I tried to explain to them how the pain was so worth it, but that epidurals were also available, if desired.  I guessed, "Epidurals are very common and probably 80% of women get them."  Kate looked at Natalie and said, "That will be 82 percent!"

As they were decorating, I said, "Remember...less is best!"  To which one child replied, "Remember...more is not a bore!" 

Kate got to go to a little party at Monkey Joe's.  This picture was taken near the end.  You can tell by their hair that a lot of jumping had taken place!

The wood projects never end around here!

Scott played O Holy Night for his piano recital in November.  Since he already had a recital under his belt, he said he felt less nervous at this one.  He's been playing many cool Christmas songs for us for the last few months. 

Scout had some excitement recently.  She cut her paw pad on something and had to visit the vet.  She figured out how to escape from the cone on Day 2 and chewed it to pieces.  Bad dog!  (Although who could blame her!) 

Carol taught Scott's Sunday School class last year, is teaching Natalie's this year, and is already planning for when she can teach Kate's class in the future!!

Kate one day as the clock struck six..."Yay!  It's six o'clock...that's my favorite o'clock." 

 Field Trip at the Museum!

 November was a fun-filled month!

No More Birthdays, Kate!!

My baby is growing up!

Kate celebrated her 6th birthday about a month ago.  We took advantage of the "Count Your Candles" (pay your age) program at Build-A-Bear, and Kate had fun making a birthday bear. 

She made a stop by the grandparents' houses and did a little celebrating there, as well!:)

We all love Kate SOOOO much!!  She's a good friend to both Scott and Natalie and has a sweet disposition.  She is a very eager learner (although not very eager about going to kindergarten), and is developing a fun sense of humor.  I wish I could freeze time!!  She's at a fun age.  

Kate has developed a love for spelling!  She wants me to quiz her a lot now.  Today she asked me if I thought she could spell "tight" and I told her that it was a tricky one that has letters that don't sound like they should be in the word.  She said, "How come you say that on a lot of words?!"  As I've been focused on her spelling lately, I am reminded that the English language is full of a lot of tough words that do not follow phonetic rules. 

Since the field was harvested next to our house, Scout has been in Labrador Retriever heaven!  Here she is with a prize bunny.  :(  Scout finds the need to drop off all of her catches right by the back door when she's done with them.  Gross!

Proud of our veteran!  Enjoyed a special Veteran's Day chapel at school.

School Skating Party

The girls (and all of us) are thankful that their Great Grandma can be home again and is recovering nicely from a bad fall. 

State Park, Kite Fun??, and 50's Day

Scott has a big project at school coming up and has to do a 6-10 minute PowerPoint presentation on a state attraction.  We visited a popular park over break in order for him to gather information and to take LOTS of pictures!

 The sisters might not make the slide show, but they sure are cute!:)

Scott started his PowerPoint as soon as we got home and has much more enthusiasm about another school project than I do!  

 Beautiful day!

Perhaps it's just us, but I always hesitate to let the kids fly kites, because it ALWAYS ends in fights and frustration.  This day was no different, but here are a couple pictures of the "fun" while it lasted. 

Kate's class celebrated the 50th day of school with special activities and games.  It was cute to see all of the kids dressed up.