Happy 2010!

Here's wishing you a Happy New Year!

Tradition!!! New Year's cookies

(not really a cookie at all, but a fried doughnut with raisins

...it's a Mennonite thing)

Playing "Go Fish" with Grammie
Ticket to Ride

Wheeee...

Merry Christmas to you all!! We're enjoying time with family. Dad & Mom drove down a day early, as we were expecting snow. The 8 inches forecasted only turned out to be 1 1/2 inches, but we'll take it. It's fun to have a White Christmas. My husband took me on a "hot date" to Wal-Mart this afternoon; we spun doughnuts in the Old Navy parking lot & shared a Peppermint Mocha @ Starbucks. I am a happy woman. We put the kids to bed, filled stockings, and had fun playing the Wii we borrowed from friends.

Here's video of Mom & I were busting a gut watching Dad & Phil play tennis.

Tonight was the school Christmas program. Last Friday, I got to watch the kids preform for a local high school, so I enjoyed knowing what to expect the second time around. Nothing could have prepared me, however, for my youngest, who choose to ham it up his entire performance. It was his moment to shine, and "shine" he did through every song, his duet, and everywhere in between. I'm not sure if it was because he could see us sitting near the front, or if it was because he knew he was on camera, or if it was because he saw countless people laughing hysterically at his antics. Whatever the reason, he didn't stop. The laughter only added fuel to the fire, despite my prayers and desperate attempts at telepathy! So, although I was embarrassed for one evening, it was all caught on tape & I undoubtedly will have many occasions with which to embarrass my son with the evidence of his behavior. But something tells me...he just might be proud of himself!!

On the upside...the other three did great & behaved themselves wonderfully. :) Grace was one of the main characters (Fluffy the Lamb) and did great on her lines & her solo for "Away in the Manger". Abbie was a 50's girl & looked cute in her poodle skirt. She also had a solo; we love to hear her sing out with all her heart. Noah was disappointed to be the only one in the family without a solo, but he sang his little heart out & we were proud of his part as one of Noah's "animals". They are all glad to have that "over with" and are counting down the days to Christmas break.

Birthday boy

Here are pictures from Daniel's 5th birthday...better late than never, I guess. He requested a guitar cake, because he is "daddy's guitar buddy". It was fun to give him a kid's acoustic guitar that was a hand-me-down from some friends of ours. Abbie is becoming quite the little cook. She made supper for me while I was busy finishing decorating the cake. I'm loving having an 11 year old in the house! :)

The idea of it...

I love the idea of winter and Christmas and snow and the intricate designs in frost. I just forget that with all the beauty comes freezing temperatures and frozen windshields and wind that burns my ears and face and goes right through me. I'm wondering if we'll enjoy the beauty of winter in heaven as we hang out in the comfortable mid-70s...not that it will be a priority then. I'm just thinkin'. And I don't want to hear any sassy comments from you Northerners. I realize I don't have a leg to stand on when it comes to complaining about low temps because you can top any figure I give you. But unless you live in the "Windy City", you can' t rival these Oklahoma winds. And if you argue with me, I'll just sing the song to prove it. ;)

Anyway...all that to say...in order to keep warm today, I'm cooking and baking and drinking my weight in hot tea, which means I'm also spending much of my day in the bathroom. (You wanted to know that, didn't you?) What was my point? I'm not really sure I had one...the cold must be getting to my brain. I guess I'm just trying to express that despite the inconvenience of trying to keep warm, there is something comforting about being in the kitchen, snuggling down in my four layers of clothes, and dancing to Christmas music to keep the blood flowing. In the end, I have to admit that I love more than just the idea of this season of year.

Evidence

In case you wondered how rowdy it can get...here is the proof. :)

Thanksgiving

There are quite a few of us when we all get together. With 12 adults, 10 kids, laughter, music, games, fun, and craziness, it makes for a headache and lots of great memories. Just kidding about the headache. I think that was from my caffeine addiction and not the noise we all created! We stayed at Matthew & Jenny's home in AR. They care for teens who are pregnant, many of whom are in the juvenile or foster care system. The girls were there with all of us for about a day and a half. One girl told me, "You all are weird...but in a good way." Here are a few glimpses of our time there. And believe it not, most of it was happening simultaneously!

Grace & Avery playing "boots ready"

The kids table

Abbie & Judah made lunch - mac 'n' cheese & lil' smokies

Christmas Carols
Wii tennis tournament

"Rocker" Daniel & Ella, his "back up"

Noah holding little Kenzie, 4 weeks old