Eric's cousin, Venus, and her son Nate sent us a cookie decorating kit in early December. Our family really enjoys doing this together every year. They order online from "Cheryl's Cookies".
Sarah had a LOT of fans at one of her last home basketball games before the school's winter break. After the game we took a big group picture... Below, Hannah, Jason, Sarah, Brynlee, Nayte, Silas, Noah, Stacee, Eric, Phoebe, Shawna, and Popee.
And, at Phoebe's last home basketball season she had a great fan cheering section. Below, after the game, Nayte, Silas, Stacee, Phoebe, Popee, Sarah, Hannah, Brynlee, Jax, Eric, Noah, and Jason.
Silas played his violin in his first orchestra concert. He had a solo song and a duet song as well. He is doing very well and has caught on quickly to the violin.
Phoebe and Shawna hung out together for their December "Go Do It" at school.
Lindsee and I went with Dad to a doctor appointment in Topeka. The appointment went well. Afterwards we met one of Lindsee's BFFs, and our family friend, Melissa for lunch and some fun antique shopping. I found some Torquay Pottery (that I collect) and an old metal Meadow Gold porch delivery box. We had a lot of laughs together and made a plan to meet again to do this in March.
We got to enjoy Christmas lights and caroling by Phoebe's choir at the Gazebo. The choir sounded great!
Buddy the Elf even made an appearance!
Sarah and Will had a funny Facetime call in December. They like to try out lots of silly faces and filters. Lindsee captured one picture of their silly reindeer faces during the call.
Phoebe's choir performed their Christmas concert. They sang well for a large crowd. Popee was here to attend and support Phoebe with us.
Phoebe was awarded the "Raging Rebounder" award for being a leading rebounder on her 8th grade basketball team. Way to go, Phoebe!
Silas's school had an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" day on the last day before break. They also had their annual school Christmas Sing-A-Long. Silas got to help the 5th grade class by leading one of the last songs, "Children Go Where I Send Thee" with a few of his 5th grade friends.
Phoebe made Christmas cupcakes in her FACS class. She brought home two for us to try. A snowman and a reindeer. They were cute and delicious.
We got together with the Hastings family for Christmas in Hesston in mid-December. Jess and Lucy were home to visit and we all gathered at Dale and Jan's house for food and games. Below, Hastings brothers, Dale, Charles, and Paul.
Above, Stacee, Lindsee, Aunt Wyonna, Jess, Lucy, Johannah, and Aunt Jan.
Below, Phoebe, Silas, Sarah, Will, Zach, Aunt Wyonna, Uncle Charlie, Hayley, and Lucy.
We had a fun Christmas gift exchange.
Lucy LOVED EP! LOVED, LOVED, LOVED. She wouldn't go to many people at the gathering, but easily went to him and smiled, and laid her head on his shoulder, and wanted to be held by him. So cute!
Lucy turned ONE in December. We celebrated her first birthday about a week early with a cake and presents.
Silas played Joseph in our church's Christmas Play and Candlelight Service on a Sunday afternoon.
Phoebe and I took both dogs to the vet in mid-December. Gus had his third check-up and vaccinations and Belle had her yearly check-up and vaccinations. Both dogs are healthy, and Gus is growing FAST. Belle weighed in at 36 pounds. Gus weighed in at 44 pounds.
Lucy does not like our dogs much at all, but she does love to sit by our hot stove on a cold day. She is getting braver with the dogs and mustered up some courage one day in December to lay on one side of the stove with Belle laying on the other side.
Lucy looks super cute sitting by our Christmas tree and gifts.
Silas really likes watching the high school basketball games, especially our boy's team this year, and his sister play. He has a couple of favorite players this year, Jacob Weber and Drake McPherson. Before the games, when players are announced, Silas likes to join other students down on the court, to give fives before the games begin.
As a fundraiser, the teams are selling flags for fans to wave around during the games. Silas and Nayte both got flags and collected players signatures after the games.
Uncle Dale and Popee got to come to some of Sarah's basketball games before Winter break.
We went to Clearwater to decorate Mom's grave for Christmas. This is our second Christmas without Mom. It sure doesn't get easier. Maybe times in between tears are longer, but the whole in my heart and our lives seems to get deeper with each milestone, holiday, and the passing of seasons without her.
Phoebe got to practice driving for the first time. Popee let her drive around our path a few times in his vehicle and she det just fine. Look out world, we're going to have two drivers soon.
We had a good time one evening driving around looking at Christmas lights all over town. Dad was with us and we showed him some of Wichita's best streets and light displays.
We had family movie night. We watched several of our Christmas favorites together, and the girls and I wore matching pj's... AAaaahhhhhhh!
The kids and I spent two nights at dad's house. Lindsee and Will joined us both nights for cousin and sister sleepovers. We wrapped presents, watched Christmas movies, played games, helped Dad with some tasks, and looked at Christmas lights around town one night together.
Eric helped Phoebe make Grinch punch. It was yummy!
The dogs started sleeping on pillow beds at night instead of in crates. So far, so good. They seem to like these big pillows and go right to them when we say, "Go to your beds".
We opened our Christmas gifts from Grandma Sharon on Christmas Eve. Thanks Sharon!
Christmas Eve was peaceful at our house. Quiet and nice.
Ornaments this year - Silas picked a fish. Sarah picked an "Elf" ornament. Phoebe got a Max ornament from the Grinch movie.
Christmas morning Silas and Phoebe were up by 8:00 am. They tried to wake Sarah, but couldn't get her up till around 9:00 am. We were all finally up and headed downstairs by about 9:15 am. Merry Christmas!
After stockings and presents we packed and loaded up and headed to Branson for a few days of Christmas family time. When we arrived that evening we picked up pizza and ate in our hotel room. Then the kids went to the pool for an hour or so of swimming.
We had two wonderful, cold, fun-filled days at Silver Dollar City. We rode some rides, listened to beautiful Christmas music, and looked at the amazing Christmas lights twinkling all over SDC.
We wanted to ride the roller coater, Fire In The Hole, because it is being torn down and a new "Fire In The Hole" is opening in March. We waited in a brief line, and then got our last ride in on this family friendly coaster.
The Dickens Christmas Carol show is amazing every Christmas! Great singing, dancing, and acting! Entertaining and light-hearted! One of my favorites every year!
I feel like there are rarely great pictures of just Eric and I. Usually he or I are taking the pictures, or I am just too picky... (a picture snob. I admit it. Pictures must be perfect for me to really like them. And, they must meet all my picture requirements.) But, below may be my new favorites of Eric and I! Yay! Fantastic pictures that I love, taken by our daughter, on my cell phone. One friend even said that this was "the most adorable picture!"
Our favorite singing group at Silver Dollar City is the SPOKEN 4 QUARTET. They are amazing! We try to talk to them after each performance we see and we have all their cd's to listen to at home. This time after their show, we were able to get our picture taken with the whole group. They are available to sing at other locations throughout the year. To learn more about them or the possibility of hearing them at somewhere near you, check out their website and calendar by clicking on this.....
The train ride at SDC during the Christmas season is one of our favorites too. A ride in the dark, looking at all the beautiful Christmas lights, and hearing the wonderful true Christmas story of Jesus's birth, told by "Grandpa" is SO GOOD every year!
Back at home, I caught this warm moment of the two dogs by the warm stove.
We celebrated Christmas at Dad's house with Ernie, Judy, Lindsee, EP, and Will on January 1st.
We had a taco bar for lunch, opened gifts, and played games.
Below, left to right, Sarah, Stacee, Paul, Will, Ernie, Silas, Lindsee, Judy, Phoebe, EP, and Eric.
We played a hilarious game called "HOT SEAT" that night. We all needed to laugh, and this was just the game to help us all get a LOT of LAUGHS.
The kids all went back to school on Thursday, January 4th. It was a great December, Christmas, and Winter break.
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