On the 26, 27, 28, 29,30,31 days of December...

fun at Papa and Grandma's...sleep, food, laughter, gifts, more food, more sleep, games, movies...

 The game of the season...Headbands!

 The day after Christmas Girls Outing...to spend gift cards and money gifts...and another taste of the season...Oreo Peppermint Dessert from Beefaroo.

 Then we loaded up our sleigh again and headed north...

 to Grampy and Grammy's house.

 More food, laughter, sleep, coffee, gifts...

and another bowling tournament!  

  

A restful but full visit!  We went with Mom and Dad to the two nursing home services they had on Friday.  We enjoyed Grammy's Swedish pancakes on Saturday before another outing and snow fun.

 And all of a sudden...it was time to load up and head south again.  We stayed at Papa and Grandma's over night and then headed home.

Another stop at one of our favorites...which also offered us a break from the "Leave It To Beaver" marathon!

On the twenty-fifth day of December...

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!  We are enjoying this time with our family.  We pray that you will enjoy the blessings that come when you gather with those that you love.  God is good and we are thankful for the many gifts that He has bestowed on us.  The most important...the wonderful gift of His only begotten Son!

On the twenty-fourth day of December...

"Hey, Mom, there are presents with our name on them!"

A trip down memory lane as plans and work begins on the pine derby cars.

Sitting around with the fam talking and drinking coffee...

 Lasagna supper with the fam...

Trying to beat Mom's bowling score...which is turning out to be an all out competition!

On the twenty-third of December...

we loaded up our sleigh and headed west on interstate 94!

Mmmm...the halfway stop in Michigan City...Culvers!

God gave us a safe trip and very light traffic.  We have never seen Chicago like that before...except for the 5 am travel time last summer!  How sweet to fellowship with "old" friends and then walk into the coziness of Papa and Grandma's!

On the twenty-second day of December...

 we enjoyed a cozy fire...

 snacky foods for lunch/supper...

 a new tangy punch...

 eating on handy-dandy rubber maid totes...perfect for the new move in feel of the last couple months!

 Spending time reading through the passage in Luke 2...and talking about the people chosen to complete God's plan...their decisions...God's provision...

 while Chevy did everything but sit still and be quiet!  Happens every time!

 Time for a few presents...basketball shoes...

 clothes and cocoa...

 and silly grins!

 Jumper cables!!!  We went for practical this year!

This is a scary picture of Mom with kitchen tools...my loves got me a cookie scoop and new potato peeler!

 But the neatest part of today...cozied up with our family around the fireplace...

crackling and popping...smells so good.
Tomorrow...loading up our sleigh!

On the twenty-first day of December...

SNOW...that is swirling and sticking!  "Mom, it may be a white Christmas after all!"

Christmas Program 2012

 "We say 'Welcome' to this side..." and then the K5 penguins waddled to the other side to 'Welcome you too'!"  They were hysterical as they waddled back and forth several times welcoming the audience to the program "The Miracle of Christmas".

 The 3-6th grades singing The Miracle of Christmas.

 Jr and Sr high school singing "Go Tell It On the Mountain".

 "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by the K5-2nd graders.

 "Born In My Heart"

 "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth!" by the 2nd grade.

 Luke 2:1-20 by the 5-6th grade class.

 "O Holy Night" with Pastor Jeremy.  It brought tears and chills as the children sang with all their might.

The whole student body and staff singing "Come On Ring Those Bells" with Pastor Brad leading everyone...a yearly tradition.  It brought tears to our eyes as we sat...this year...a part of the crowd.  Last year, we sat in Grampy and Grammy's livingroom watching program clips with the cousins.  Tears streamed down our faces and our heart's desire was that our children could have the opportunity to be a part of something similar.  We believe that God gives those kind of desires to our hearts and He...in His perfect time and perfect way met those needs.