Getting ready for Christmas

We had a wonderful, quiet Thanksgiving this year. Sometimes just keeping it simple and staying at home is just as fun.


We had our first snowfall, the day before Thanksgiving. Nothing stuck to the ground, but it was sure pretty to watch.

That got me in the baking mood to start working on those Thanksgiving pies!

After Thanksgiving, we traditionally start decorating for Christmas. I was afraid we werent going to get around to it with the new baby taking up such a big chunk of our time. But with the big kids' help, we managed to get the tree up and a few of the decorations up around the house!

Off topic, but adding a cutie picture from the weekend:

Holiday Season

We are wrapping up school this week before we take our Christmas break.

These past few months have been nothing short of BUSY!

In November, we got all dressed up for a special night out at the Marine Corps Ball. It's always a special night. They had rooms set up for the kids, playing games, eating snacks. Elizabeth and Abigail even had a bounce house in their room!!

We also got some much needed family portraits done!

This month is only half started and we have been running non-stop! We took a trip to "Bethlehem" with some old friends.

Had our first snow!!!

Christmas festivities galore!!!

And most recently, celebrated Ryan's 11th birthday with lots of fun and excitement!!

This may be how I feel most of the time.......

....but I wouldnt change a thing! Merry Christmas everyone!

A Year in Review

I made a video today of pictures that we had taken through the year.
I set it to music to make sure you have your headphones or speakers ready. :)

So much happens, yet a year goes way too fast!

Enjoy the video! :)

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Now, sit back, grab a cup of coffee, tea, whatever and relax because I have a feast of pictures to share with you!

As you all know, we spent Thanksgiving at church. Everyone brought in dishes and missionaries came from all over to celebrate and be thankful for all the blessings God has given us. And boy are the blessings overflowing!!



I managed to get a picture of the kiddos all sitting together right when we got to church that morning... before they started running around and getting their clothes all out of whack.

Everyone is sitting down getting ready to eat.



Elizabeth too!



Then after we filled all our tummies, the Pastor called everyone to sit down and we listened to children sing songs. They did such a great job!!



Click on the video here to listen!!



After the children sang, we did some singing ourselves and then listened to a Message given by one of the Missionaries joining us. A great message about being thankful in ALL that we do and how important it is to ALWAYS thank God, in good times and bad.





After our tummies were properly filled, and our songs of praise were raised, then the silliness began. The auditorium had been cleared the day before and some game tables set up, with lots of room for the children to run around.





One of the missionaries brought his balloons and made a bunch of hats and swords for the children to play with.









The men stayed closer to the food for 2nd, 3rd and 4th servings, while the girls gathered around the piano to sing songs.



OH! But the pictures dont end just yet!

The next day we got up early to meet up again and take a trip into the Stuttgart center to the Christmas Markets!! YAY!



Boothes and boothes of homemade goodies, chocolates, sweets, candles, and decorations!







The boys even met a street performer haha!



At the end of the market, they had an ice skating rink and rides for the kids. We didnt get to ride any, unfortunately... except for this one we saw on the way down... we ran out of time before we had to meet up again and leave. It was a good exhausting day! We had a lot of fun, enjoyed some fun company and got a little Christmas shopping done!