Sunday, December 20, 2009

Merry Christmas and More!

Seasons greetings, blog readers! I am thankful you are here to read, despite my lack of blogging lately. I am so behind on everything, but I had some time today to get out a post about our family happenings. Soooo, without further ado, here's the latest.

I've been doing lots of baking, but mostly for other people. I just finished an order of two dozen sugar cookies for a family in our community and below are the pictures of the cookies one of the ladies made at a workshop I taught on the subject. Aren't they cute? I was so proud of my "pupils."

We had to say good-bye to our beloved pastor and his family a couple of weeks ago as they transition to a new church out in California. We are so sad to see them go, but we know God goes ahead of them. And if you think of it, please pray God brings the right person to take the senior pastor position for our church. This family will be so dearly missed....
On a happier note, we went to see "The Nutcracker" for the second year. This is definitely going to be a tradition. We enjoyed it so much.
The kids sang in our church's annual Christmas program last weekend. Cody is the one in the front row with the red vest and tie and the big smile.
Caden's first time up on the platform was...uh...well, you can see for yourself in the video at the end of this post. Most of the kids whose parents are on the worship team did the opposite of what WE thought they should, which left most of us looking for a rock or chair we could hide under. And I must admit we laughed. A lot.

Um, this picture here doesn't even need a description. Just call him Willy Wonka. This child...oh my. We laugh and laugh and laugh....
We celebrated Cody's 8th (8th!!!!!!!) birthday at Gino's East for dinner and then moved the celebration to the bowling alley. Here's Cody after his strike. Dude.
Here's mommy and Caden having a snuggle while we watched his ball slowly roll it's way down to the pins.
Next we have the Birthday Boy and his Star Wars cake. By the way, good luck finding anyplace that makes a Star Wars cake. They don't exist. So we just settled for buying some action figures and sticking them on there. He was totally thrilled with it...that's all that counts!

Make a wish!!!
Over this break, we hope to do lots of this (judging from the photo we all need it). So far, Daddy's in the lead with two naps in two days.
And we'll also be doing this: Celebrating the true reason for the season. We hope you can all do the same! (Picture by Cody with the inscription: "This is the reason for the season.")
And finally, for your viewing pleasure, the three year-old and his stellar (ahem) performance. He watched himself and found it to be terribly amusing. I hope you do too!

Merry Christmas, one and all!!!

3 comments:

Jaime said...

Happi,
This is HILARIOUS! Yes, our children behave how they want to when out of our grasp. At least he was fully clothed, and yes, smiling and not doing anything terribly embarrasing besides not participating. Love you so much friend, Jaime

Kari said...

I love all the photos and Caden is way cute-even though he had little interest in the performing thing. Loved it!

Jody said...

I love your cookies. I wish I could have taken your workshop!

The "Dude" picture of Cody at his party cracked me up. Aaron, my 8 year old, has been doing similar poses and calling himself a gangsta'. We have been trying our best to make him understand a being a gangster is NOT cool.

The video of Caden is precious. He could have been much more embarrassing. At one of Rachel's school chorus performances last year, one of the other then fourth grade girls lifted her skirt. I about died!