VBS

This past week was Owen’s first time attending Vacation Bible  School at church!  He was pretty adamant that he didn’t want to go, but we basically told him he had to. :)  And then once he realized one of his best buddies, Asher, was going all was right with the world again.  Erica and I took turns carpooling the boys and they had a great time riding together.  The Kingdom Kids team did an amazing job decorating, praying, prepping, and running the great 4 evenings!

The theme was JUMP and there were jump ropes hanging everywhere and a huge trampoline on the stage.These two boys are quite the goofy pair when they’re together. Today the kids helped lead worship to show the songs they learned at VBS.  Definitely a fun week for Owen!  (Anne D, you’ll enjoy your guy in this one too)

just a pic

Just some Sunday morning cuteness for you:

Christmas {part 3}

It was our first Christmas Eve and Christmas without anywhere to go which was fun!  On Christmas Eve, we went to the 3 o’clock service at church.  Here were the cute shirts I made for the kids.  Owen’s was made using vinyl and Ellie’s is made with ribbons glued on.  Owen didn’t want to pose at home: I printed off some Christmas activity pages for the kids (and the DeAtley boys) in case they got bored in the service. Here are all the boys in red:

And here’s how Owen ended the service (just like last year):We drove home and looked at some Christmas lights and had a great dinner.  Each kiddo got to open one gift too.  Then the rest were saved for the morning! Some of Owen’s favorite toys were Peppa Pig and George, some Automoblox, and several duplo sets.  Ellie loved her new tent, bracelets, and princess Duplo set.  Sam’s family also gave us their trampoline which was a huge hit:

We spent Christmas in our pajamas playing with all the new toys.  What a great holiday season.  Here’s a closing shot of all the cards we got.  Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas {part 1}

There’s so much to write about for Christmas this year, I’ll need to break it down into several posts.  First, here’s just a little of the decor we did this year: On Sunday, December 15th I put the kiddos in their fancy x-mas outfits so we could get 2 wears out of them, one here and one in Peoria.  Owen and his Sunday school class came in and sang one song in “big church.” Not a bad family picture of all 5 of us. :)

Sunday, January 27

They were looking so cute yesterday before church so I decided to snap some pictures. These were the best two I got.  Sigh.

I helped out in the nursery at church.  I just couldn’t get over how big my sweet little girl looked sitting having water and cheerios with the “big kids.”   

Christmas #2

Ok, last post about Christmas, promise.  And this is a megapost.

It finally felt like Christmas! On Friday, the kids and I headed to Peoria during naptime (which proved not helpful since neither took a nap on the way :)   We arrived to this beautiful new version of a Christmas tree.  My dad loves birch trees, so this huge birch branch fits them perfectly. 

Friday afternoon and evening, we just hung out with Uncle Philip, Kara, and G&G.  William also arrived after he got off work.  Owen got to open one present before going to bed!  Thank you Uncle Philip for my cool t-ball set!

 

 

 

Saturday was a super fun day of just hanging out with everyone.  It felt so weird to not have my sister, Jenna there.  (We missed you!!)

love this face (and her outfit!)

checking out the xmas cards

smiling at Uncle Casey

reading his new "Owen" book with Kara

Our family are huge game people, and so is Kara's.  So she fits right in.  Her and Philip dominated in Rummikub.

don't mess with this sassy lady

My brother got my parent's record player working and we got to listen to my mom's record!  That's right, back in the day my mom recorded an album with 3 other ladies.  My grandpa even played his violin on the album, the violin that I now own.  And my dad did the graphics on the cover.  This was one of the first times my mom and dad hung out before they were married. :)

  

Owen had fun hanging out with Casey while he played the guitar.

And I might embarrass my dad with this short one, but this is so classic "dad." He breaks into song quite regularly and it was fun to see the 3 guys jamming out together.

helping with the food prep

hanging out with (honorary) Aunt Kara

Then it was time for our annual fondue feast.  We've done fondue for as long as I can remember.  We have pots of oil and cook beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp by candlelight.  It's getting a little tougher to enjoy the meal with the crazy kiddos, but it was still really fun and yummy!

Then after dinner, the kiddos got to open their presents quickly before Ellie was off to bed.

umm, pretty sure that's Ellie's buddy

that's a nice look mister

coloring with his new Color Wonder markers

more cars!

cool truck from Uncle Casey

After Owen and Ellie opened gifts, it was time for our other family traditions. My dad always reads us the Christmas story from the Bible.  Then, he hands out the latest chapter in his book "The Things I Wish My Father Had Told Me."  And queue the Kleenex.  I hope you all get a chance to read this book when he publishes it someday.  I might share one short little excerpt with you later with you later this week!  Then we go around the circle and share something that was big for us this past year and something we're anticipating for the upcoming year.  Ellison was definitely my highlight of 2012 and we're looking forward to just figuring out more of what God has for us here, at William's job, and maybe trying for number 3 at some point this year?  :)

Then it was time for adult presents.  Of course, my mom went overboard and spoils us rotten as usual and we needed another van to take all our loot home.

Sunday, we went to church which is always a blast and then that evening (after William left for home), my grandma and grandpa came over for dinner.  Owen has been pretty attached to my grandpa and he took him from room to room showing him around and wanted to sit with him at dinner.

 

he wanted him to do this over and over

Thanks mom and dad for an amazing Christmas and for loving our kiddos so well.  We are so lucky to have you as parents.  And welcome to the first family Christmas Kara! :)