Since it is getting close to 11, and I haven't finished all I need to do for our trip tomorrow, I better not get caught blogging! Just felt like I hadn't been "here" for a while!

What a whirlwind Christmas week we had!!! Celebrating with Grandma and Grandpa, then "just us" Christmas morning, followed by a day with Grammy Linda and Papa Mike, then taking Grandma and Grandpa to the airport. . . . . . We had a great Christmas, but it was really packed!! Tomorrow we go to visit Grammy Lynn and more family up north.

I'll have to write more later about the package from South Africa, all the toys and games, the yummy (dairy free!) food and the wonderful memories made with family.

Gotta go finish folding and packing the diapers and odds and ends, before I get caught on the computer!!

A new look

Yesterday was Rebekah's big day. She had the first of MANY appointments, to get a new look. Yes, Rebekah is embarking on an orthodontic adventure--well I guess we all are. We went to the office of a friend's orthodontist and were very impressed. Rebekah had been very apprehensive, but now is excited to go back to the office. The staff were nice, and the movies she can watch from the chair were a big plus too. She's also excited that she can pick out the colors of her bands every month. The lady at the office showed her all the choices, and she was overwhelmed! What to pick first? One of the several shades of pink? After all, by the time this all gets started, Valentines day will be around the corner. Then again, the thought of glow in the dark bands is appealing as well! Oh the possibilities. I'm sure there will be lots of pictures to detail her choices. Stay tuned : )

Christmas Tree

Our other activity Saturday was going to get a Christmas Tree. I think most other families in the greater Los Angeles area also decided to get a tree Saturday afternoon. Oh well, it was a kind of festive business and that makes it better right?

It was chilly Saturday, and the wind was absolutely freezing. I mean, it couldn't have been 60 and that's freezing right? At least in California! Poor Rebekah left her jacket in the car and thought she would die!!

Emily wanted to get the perfect tree, and must have looked at a dozen. Instead, we just got this one : ) Seems that every year, the first one we look at, we always end up buying. We should just go in, pick one up, and get it, instead of spending an hour looking at lots of trees, and going back to the first one!

When we got home, Emily and Jesse helped Dad get the tree ready to go in the house. One was more helpful than the other. With one final adjustment, Jesse had it set to go in the house!

Decorating was enjoyed by all, but some needed more supervision than others. . . . . still do!

Emily is not pictured at her request. . . . . having just gotten out of the shower, her hair was not quite photo ready ; )

You may notice that the tree has almost no ornaments on the lower branches. That is on purpose. Jesse really loves that tree!

Cookies and Concerts

Friday we started our annual Christmas baking! Everyone got to make his/her favorite, and we all decorated together that night. Somehow there are never enough cookies and we always have to make more. Especially gingerbread.

Some sampled while we decorated I guess. . . .

Saturday morning was Hannah's first "in front of strangers" concert. Her new violin group played at a retirement facility nearby. Hannah had a great time playing, and the residents seemed to enjoy it too! One sweet lady planted a big kiss on her cheek as soon as the concert was over!

Hannah is the tiny one there on the left. . . .

look at that determination! Hannah was especially pleased that her violin was tuned properly this time!

Our Busy Weekend

This last weekend was a whirlwind of activity for us. Usually we are tired by the weekend anyway, and that was true this week as well. . . . .

Friday was our last day of Friday classes with our homeschool group. Hannah's strings class got to play in Chapel, which was exciting!
After school we spent our typical afternoon in the park, and then instead of coming home, Hannah headed off for a dress rehersal. She is getting to be in a concert at a nearby retirement home next week!

Saturday, bright and early, Johnny and I attended Angel Breakfast at our church. This is an annual event, and lots of fun to attend with the kids as they fall into that age range. We celebrate the Christmas story, with the announcement of the Angels that Jesus is born!

While we were at Angel Breakfast, Emily had her own Jr. High girls breakfast. Of course you must know there are no pictures here from that, because it really wouldn't be very cool to have your Mom attend, much less take pictures!

After all that, we had lunch, rested a bit, and headed out for the Christmas tree decorating party at the Library. Another annual event for us. The kids help make ornaments for the tree at the library, and a few to bring home too. Maybe next year Jesse can handle the glitter a bit better.

That evening, we headed out for our homeschool's Christmas party. Sadly, my camera was out of battery by then, so there are no pictures of Hannah playing her violin again, John running with the boys outside, or the girls all joining in the square dancing. There are also no pictures of us collapsing into an exhausted heap either. Good thing Sunday is a day of rest!

A visit with Grammy and Papa

Over Thanksgiving weekend, we got to visit with lots of family. We all enjoyed seeing Grammy Linda and Papa Mike for a day. There were presents. . . . .

Hannah all suited up to ride

And then there was a trip to the park, that got really chilly. Some of us kept warm though!

Why hot chocolate shouldn't be left out

By the time Jesse got it, it wasn't hot anymore, which is good. The face, not so good. I'm hollering "get the camera--fast!" Of course, everone comes to see why. . . . . my reply. . . "because if you don't, I'll be really upset at who ever left out the cup!" But who can be upset with a face like that?

and someday, someday, I will get around to putting up all the pictures taken since last time I posted!

That Vacuum

Ugh. Vacuums. I wrote before about how much we use our vacuum, and how disappointed I was with the one we bought this summer. Then I was able to fix it, and all was well again.

All was not well this week, when it broke AGAIN!!! It actually broke about a week ago, and I haven't been happy about that at all. I had to vacuum with John's Shopvac, or do without. Do you know how l-o-n-g it takes to vacuum a house with a Shopvac? Do you know how your body feels after that? It isn't a whole lot of fun, though the house looked much better after a good vacuum.

Finally today, I gave in and did it. We bought ANOTHER vacuum. I have prayed and prayed that this would be the right vacuum. So far, I love it, but I'm still too scarred from the other vacuums to get my hopes up high. We got a Dyson, because it was a good deal--Target had it with a gift card offer (who can refuse a gift card), as well as a donation for Breast Cancer Research.

Rebekah and Jesse went with me, on this, the highest of shopping days! I actually hadn't intended to buy today, but with all the black Friday shopping and all, I figured at least I could use the gift card to buy the other things we were going to get anyway! Too bad I didn't think about the fact that I was driving John's little car, and the vacuum is in a HUGE box. It all ended well, and we didn't have to tie it to the roof or drag it behind the car.

Hannah was thrilled that the vacuum is pink : ) She got to try it out on it's maiden voyage through the living room. Johnny loves that the hose attachment looks like a gun, and I like that it is quieter than other vacuums we've own. I was a little disturbed to see how much it picked up with just ONE trip through the house, but then again, better IN the vacuum, than on the floor.

So, that's the story of our latest purchase. More important than the silly vacuum, we had a great day visiting with Grammy Linda and Papa Mike. Since I don't have pictures out of the camera yet, and I'm tired, I wrote about a silly vacuum, and I'll save pictures and visit stories for a time when I have more energy, and can write more coherently!

Thanksgiving

These are just a few pictures from our Thanksgiving. We had a great time visiting with everyone--even Barbara! We got to talk to her via phone from S. Africa, and then enjoyed having her in person as well : )

Most of the cousins, with the aunts!
Hannah almost couldn't bear to let go of Barbara!

Playing cards after dinner. . . .

Dinner--notice Barbara holding Daniel . . .

Johnny with a corncob party favor

Hannah with her favor . . . .

Very thankful for a wonderful family to share the holiday with. Just one thing, Barbara, you didn't seem yourself; just kind of, well, flat or something. . . .

We miss you!

Teacher of the Year!!!

Last night John was honored as one of Orange County's Teachers of the Year. This is a process which began a long time ago, March I think? It was a long selection process, and John had the honor of being named as one of 5 Teachers of the Year.

The awards banquet was held at the Disneyland Resort, and was spectacular! There was a reception before dinner, pictures with the superintendent of schools, and with Mickey and Minnie Mouse too! Lots of presents and prizes and a really wonderful evening.

I have tons more pictures (taken with a wonderful camera given by one of the sponsors of the event!) as well as a DVD of the videos they played last night. The kids have already watched the DVD twice and are thrilled to see that they were included as well. Equally as exciting is that we were told it will be aired on public TV!

My husband is famous, and we are so proud of him!

John with family. . . . step Mom Linda, Mom Lynn and Dad Mike

John with one of his bosses Lynne

John on stage with Mickey and Minnie!

Dinner --Jesse's first fancy dinner!

Grammy's here!

The air has cleared, and weather is still hot. Grammy is here to visit and it's time for water balloons!! That always ends with a water fight. How come the little guy always gets the hose anyway?

Pray!

We are praying today for all the families affected by the many fires burning around us.

This was the sky today at noon, and it only got darker.

This is the view, looking down our street at noon.

The fires are still several miles from us, and there is very little chance of them coming up our way. We do have many friends who live in the fire's path though, and are praying for them. One of several evacuation centers is being held at the school where John teaches. The air is heavy with smoke, and ashes have been raining down all day.

Cute!

How cute is this little guy?!?

Went to the park Saturday (after spending the afternoon at a different park Friday. . . ) and had a great time! I was so busy enjoying my little guy enjoying the swings, I'm embarrassed to admit, I didn't take pictures of anyone else. Ooops. Apologies to my sweet little nephew! We'll just have to play in the park another day, so I will have another chance with my camera.

Halloween. . . . AGAIN!

We are ready for next Halloween! Some of us at least : ) A trip to Target this week found us looking through the clearance, and by the time we left the store, several children were very excited. In fact, when Dad got home some very interesting figures greeted him in the driveway!

Now lets just hope they are as happy with these costumes in a year, as they are now!! Yikes!

Halloween!

This year, Halloween began on Thursday for us, with a little pumpkin carving. Emily had Bible Study, and Jesse fell asleep, but the rest of the carvers had a good time.

Halloween morning was chilly and rainy and the kids were worried that our school's party would get cancelled. We got to see a beautiful rainbow, then the clouds cleared and we had a fun party too.

The theme for our school party was "Down on the Farm" and just 2 of us dressed to the theme. Hannah was a farm gal, and Rebekah was Mary from Little House on the Prairie. Emily was an Oreo, Jesse a candy corn, and Johnny was Superman! After a quick rest at home, we were ready for the evening church party. For that one, Hannah decided she'd rather be a cheerleader. What a full day, but lots of fun for everyone!

Politics

This is what Jesse thought, when he heard Obama bought time on TV. I'm guessing he didn't want to watch. Also guessing that is just one more vote he can't count on--though we have a few years before his vote will count anyway. . . .

Catching up

Where does the time go?! Rhetorical question of course. I realized today that I have done a great job of downloading the pictures from my camera into the computer. Not such a good job of having them printed. I did start to take care of that, and I'm pleased to say that I'm all caught up. . . . to July! eek.

So October is almost over! This Friday is our homeschool's annual Harvest Party complete with costumes. Emily decided right away how she wanted to dress, as did Rebekah and Hannah. Johnny wasn't sure which way he would go, but I think we have a decision there as well. Unfortunately, both Rebekah and Hannah changed their minds. . . twice! Hannah now has enough costumes to dress up 3 times, and Rebekah twice.

Fortunately Jesse has gone right with the flow. I suggested a costume idea, and he seemed pleased. We went right out, bought fabric, came home and sewed it up with only a few complaints. We made minor fitting adjustments, and he was downright pleased with that costume. In fact, he wore it all over, and seemed pleased to show it off to his brother and sisters even! Now why can't they all be like that?

Pictures of these wonderful costumes are in order, but you'll have to wait. I haven't taken any pictures, and some of these people want to leave it a surprize until Friday. Let's hope I manage to get the pictures downloaded then, if not printed!

Field Trip!

We got to go to the Aquarium yesterday! To tell the truth, the kids really didn't want to go. Everyone had a great time though! Hannah made new friends. . . .

And so did Emily. . . .

Rebekah touched some of the rays for the first time (after all those trips to Sea World!

The highlight for Johnny, was seeing the sharks, and then watching them be fed!

Jesse enjoyed feeding the pigeons, chasing the pigeons, as well as watching all the fish. He didn't want to be close to any of them though!

Now we're all looking forward to the next field trip!