Merry Christmas 2020!

 Merry Christmas!

How blessed to be able to spend a day together, our family of five at home, 

celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Savior.

Caeden was chosen to open the first gift. His sisters have been talking about the gift they got him, and quite honestly, he has been worried and wondering!

He was pleasantly surprised and found it very funny that they bought him...

 ...a very soft and fuzzy tortilla blanket!

Sylvia was thrilled that Annah gave her a fingernail drying light!

Annah got her dad some of his workout drink mixes.

I gave him Crocs of his own so he doesn't have to wear mine when he wants to throw on some shoes to run outside! Sylvia gave him "The Man, The Myth, The Legend" slippers!

Sylvia received some items for her future dorm room and college life.  She was confused about receiving a tool kit and so excited to receive a vacuum cleaner!

some of the aftermath

Jeremy and I roasted a 20-pound turkey, and it turned out fantastic! We all were stuffed.

We spent the afternoon relaxing, Annah with her new FRIENDS puzzle.

We also played Jeremy's new game...

...Poetry for Neanderthals: a word game where u must speak good or get hit with stick!  

It's very fun and funny!

I know we probably won't have many more years with the 5 of us at home for the holidays, and this year has definitely shown us that nothing in life is guaranteed. So I am extra thankful for this beautiful day with my favorite people. So much love. Thank you, Lord. 

Welcome, Jesus.

Merry Christmas Music

 Merry Christmas Music from my studio!

4th of July Weekend

We all went to Indiana for the weekend and had such a nice time!

When we arrived on Friday evening, a new family member had also just arrived for the first time--Tessa's new mini dachshund puppy, Luna! I am just floored by how incredibly tiny she is!!!

She makes Wrigley look gigantic!

I think they will get along just fine once Wrigley learns that Luna is the new boss!

It was 4th-of-July-hot, so of course there was swimming and no-net volleyball

Katie and Roy came up from Indy, and it was so nice to see them!

Jeremy, ever the "grill master," grilled burgers, brats, and hot dogs to go with all the other yummy summer cookout foods. 

There were some games of euchre for those who can remember how to play it.

There were also some rounds of PIT! and Ryan showed us how to play his US National Parks game.

These girls looked cute as usual and patriotic as well.

 

Even Sylvia {who is not an animal person} likes Luna!

There were s'mores and sparklers!

Always boppin'

These guys kept control of the fire. So nice that Clay stopped by!

The kids noticed that the lightning bugs came out, and they started to catch some!

They also played the song Fireflies and danced to it.

Uncle Travis and Jeremy put on their excellent yearly fireworks show.  In fact, since towns weren't really doing them, it seemed lots of neighbors were putting on some pretty good shows, and it was cool to see them all at the same time.  Trav's was the best as always though!

So grateful to our wonderful hostess, who is always so gracious to open her home whenever we decide to crash on in! She is always so welcoming. Love you so much, Mom. 

Annah got to watch Luna while Tessa went to church

The rest of us headed home on Sunday morning. 

Happy New Year's Day!  

We've been working our way through the Harry Potter movies this past week, doing some more holiday baking, and generally trying to relax and enjoy the holiday break.

Annah and Ryan played some games tonight.  Kerplunk, Battleship, and LIFE.  

Christmas Eve Service

Christmas Eve service at PoC was lovely tonight.

Annah sang on the worship team.

Sylvia played the part of the Angel Gabriel.

Jeremy played the part of King Herod.

The service closed with communion while Annah sang Silent Night.  It was beautiful.

VIDEO:

(Sylvia recorded this during rehearsal, so other people are talking and laughing in the room.)

Merry Christmas!

Fortnite together

Jeremy enjoys watching Caeden play Fortnite, but hadn't tried it due to not being familiar with all the [many!] buttons/joysticks/motions on the Xbox controller.  Caeden found a photo explaining all the different parts of the controller and printed it out for him to learn, and they sat down today to play together.  It was fun to watch them have that time together.

Sylvia's Holiday "Baking" Challenge

Sylvia organized and hosted a Holiday Baking Challenge for her friends today!  

There were 3 teams:

Hunter, Will, and Aiden

Alexis, Isabella, and Sylvia

and RJ, Ryan, and Annah.

It was great chaotic fun while they all mixed things up!

The RJ/Annah/Ryan team made hot cocoa cookies.

The Sylvia/Isabella/Alexis team made Oreo balls.

These guys mixed up their peanut butter fudge and played some Xbox 

while they waited for it to set up.

It was such a beautiful day outside, they all took a walk down to the park for a while.  

Caeden and I were the judges.

Most Creative: Hot Cocoa Cookies

Prettiest: Oreo Balls

Best Tasting: Peanut Butter Fudge

Here is the recipe of the winner:

The crew decided to play a game of monopoly while watching The Lorax.

What a great group of kids!