Christmas...

 Another Christmas has come and gone way too quickly! Once again we spent Christmas Eve at the Jacobs' and Christmas day with the Parkers. And, once again, it was a great 2 days of family time spent and yummy food eaten...TOO much yummy food! Oh, the weight gain! ;) When we got home from our day with the Jacobs on Christmas Eve we got our cookies ready for Santa and read Christmas in the Manger and Luke 2:8-20. The kids, of course, were up bright and early and we enjoyed a nice morning at home before we headed over to my parents' for more celebration.

Mommy was smart this year and pre-made dough...

My home-made bulletin board for Kate's room

 Merry Christmas!!

Santa with the cousins...

We were bummed to have to miss out on our annual Irvine Railroad Christmas Train visit this year because of all the rain we've experienced. But, we had to see Santa, so on Wednesday night we met up with the Vander Molens at South Coast Plaza for dinner and a visit with the big guy. Getting a good picture of all 4 kids proved to be impossible and out of 3 that we were "allowed" (for a $7 fee) to take with our own camera, only one had everyone's eyes open. =/ Fortunately, the line wasn't too bad for being so close to Christmas and with a few rides up and down the escalator to kill time the kids did pretty well...the Daddy's were another story. ;) When it was finally our turn, Kate and Luke hopped right up in Santa's lap and let him know what they'd like him to bring them. Brooklyn wasn't quite as sure so she chose to just sit on the little stool next to him. At picture time, Kate moved to the arm of the chair so Dylan could get in the picture. It turned out to be a fun evening, finished off with a train ride around the giant Christmas tree.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Kindergarten Christmas party...

Kate has 2 weeks off for Christmas break! =) On her last day of school, they had a birthday party for Jesus in her class. It also happened to by Crazy Clash day so we had fun putting together her outfit... 

  

 Our wonderful head room mom, Raquel, read a Christmas story...

 The kids had a yummy snack...

Kate shared a little with Luke...

And then they made cute candy cane ornaments with a tag that explained the story of the candy cane...

Many years ago, a candy 
maker wanted to make a candy 
that symbolized the true meaning 
of Christmas- Jesus.

The hard candy was shaped like 
a "J" to represent Jesus' name. 
The color white stands for the 
pureness of Jesus. The color red 
represents the blood 

Jesus shed for us.

Christmas Pageant 2010...

Oh! I am so far behind! Since my last post, we celebrated the wedding of John's brother, Jeff and our new sister-in-law, Stephanie! Kate and Luke were the flower girl and ring bearer and they did a great job. It was a beautiful wedding and we all had a lot of fun! Pictures to come soon. Of course, we also celebrated Thanksgiving with 2 yummy family gatherings and we kicked off the Christmas season with our Children's Christmas Pageant at church. This year Luke and Brooklyn were old enough to join the cast. I didn't get great pictures since I was videotaping at the same time but Brenna got some great ones.

Our kids spent more time waving at us than singing...

My cute little horsey...

Kate also got to participate in the bell choir this year...

Brooklyn and Luke kept making their way to the edge of the stage...

In addition to the pageant, the children's bell choir performed at the Sunrise Assisted Living home yesterday. The residents loved seeing the kids play their bells and sing Christmas carols. =)

Wedding time!

This past weekend, Jeff and Stephanie got hitched! Kate was beyond excited to be a flower girl and both kids did such a great job walking down the aisle and being still during the ceremony. We had a great time celebrating with the happy couple! Of course, so much fun that I only got a couple of grainy pictures on my phone...

But, got these from their photographer, Jenn King...

Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast...

Kate had a fun Thanksgiving Feast at school yesterday. The 2 kindergarten classes combined to share food, sing songs, and participate in a Thanksgiving reenactment. The Room Moms/Dad had fun setting up and decorating and watching the kids faces when they came into the classroom. 

For their feast, they enjoyed Chick-fil-A nuggets, popcorn, 

apples & Craisins, pumpkin muffins, and apple juice. 

Kate is thankful for....

Waiting patiently (in their free dress, class color green) for their party...

Little pilgrims & indians...

Yummy candy corn topped pumpkin muffin...

We're thankful for an extra long Thanksgiving break. Since the teachers have a conference this week, the kids are out now until the Monday after Thanksgiving...a whole week and a half off! =)

Luke's "first" haircut...

Today, Luke had his first real, professional haircut! We've taken the clippers to it many times in his life but, with his special part as a ring bearer in his Uncle Jeff's wedding coming up, I thought he could use a nice neat stylish cut to make him look extra handsome. I think he was pretty excited for his upcoming experience. Last night, he told John, "You are not going to cut my hair, Daddy. I have a hair appointment!" =) So we visited Miss Chelcie (John's best childhood friend, Ian's sister) at Salon Shanti since I knew she had a lot of experience cutting kids hair. Luke was pretty serious during the whole thing, playing hard to get and only cracking a smile when it tickled but he held really still and was very cooperative. GREAT job, Luke, you look so handsome!

Before

So many funny faces, especially when little hairs were getting in his nose...

Ticklish neck...

"No, as a matter of fact, I will not smile."

 After!

Thank you, Miss Chelcie, for a great experience!!

Proud to be an American...

This past Tuesday, Kate's school held a special Veteran's Day chapel. I just love that they are teaching their students to honor the men and women who have served, sacrificed and continue to serve to keep our country safe! The kindergarteners did a great job singing "This Land Was Made for You and Me", the school band played a few patriot songs, the older kids did a couple of readings, and they showed a touching video tribute. We were able to applaud the veterans who were in the audience (mostly grandfathers) and each student shook their hands as they exited chapel. A very nice tribute!

 

The students were all encouraged to decorate a star to honor a special veteran.

Kate chose Pop Pop...

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY! 

THANK YOU!!