December 2018

This month is always super crazy with multiple church activities, birthday celebrations, and holiday fun.  But I am always blessed and I love watching the girls experience the magic of Christmas and share the love of Jesus.

We started off the month with the kids choir program.  We did a Christmas program this time called Jingle Bell Beach.  Both girls got to sing a small solo and Abigail's little dance class performed too.  Hannah chose a science class this semester and LOVED all the fun experiments she got to do.

The girls were also asked to be part of the program for the Widow's Luncheon our church deacons put on every year. Hannah read the Christmas story and Abigail sang a solo, and some other friends sang too.  It was a very sweet little program and the girls enjoyed every minute. (photo credit Dave Alvy)

The 2nd weekend in December was the big multi-generational concert featuring ALL music groups at church.  It was an amazing concert!!!  Abigail got to sing her Happy Birthday Jesus solo again and did awesome!  I was nervous for her but she didn't seemed bothered to sing in front of all those people.  Nathan and I were on stage playing so all photos are from the church photographer. (Photo credit Sam Wilson)

Somehow my sweet Hannah is NINE years old!  I really can't believe she is that big.  On her actual birthday she brought little treats for her class and that night was the kids choir party at a trampoline place.  Our official family celebration was on Saturday.  She choose books as her theme this year....not surprising for my little bookworm!

School got out so late this year we didn't have much time before Christmas.  But we managed to watch some Christmas movies, bake cookies, look at lights, play some games, and do a few puzzles.  We also continued our tradition of taking pictures in our jammies in front of Grammy's tree.

November 2017

Feels like I just posted, but another month has gone by.   Sometimes I wish time would just stand still....then other days it can't go fast enough.  Here's to trying to enjoy and find the good in each moment.

The kids choir at church had their program this month.  The kids did a fantastic job and put in lots of really hard work.  Nathan and I are loving being upstairs with the big kids this year.  Nathan has also enjoyed his "job" as tech crew.  He gets to run sound and power point words.  Just point him in the direction of technology and he is happy.  =)

Hannah wanted to audition for a solo again.  She really seems to enjoy performing of all kinds.  She did a great job.  Both girls picked dance as their elective class this semester.  They had fun!  There were over 100 kids singing....that's LOTS of kids hearing about Jesus!! All these photos were taking by our church photographer.  Photo credit: Jack Hess

Hannah had a piano festival one Saturday as well.  She did a great job and received the highest rating.  So proud of all her hard work.  She has learned so much in the last 2 years!

There's a different group of kindergarten teacher at school this year than there was 2 years ago.  Almost all of them were at the school but in a different grade level.  There was lots of movement within the school this year.  Anyway, with new teachers comes new activities.  They brought back the Thanksgiving Friendship Feast.  I was selfishly hoping they would invite parents and then they asked for volunteers to set up and serve.  I happily volunteered.  The kids were so cute in their Indian hats!

The girls had the whole Thanksgiving week off school.  The vacation was really nice and we tried to do a balance of free time playing at home and special fun activities.  LOTS of Lego playing, we made a fort (under the coffee table), colored, and played outside Thanksgiving day with my dad.  We also went to see the movie Coco.  It was really really good and actually made Nathan and Hannah cry.  Our other big family fun activity was Six Flags Holiday in the Park.  I think that's my favorite time to visit...first of all it's not melting hot, and I LOVE the pretty lights and Christmas music.

October 2017

We had two days off school for Columbus Day and parent/teacher conferences.  Love getting to hear about all the progress the girls are making and hearing their teachers brag on them.  So proud of all their hard work.  Auntie Kara was off one of those two days as well so the girls and I met her for lunch.  Then we went back to her apartment to play with her kitties.  Her beloved kitty passed away in Aug at age 13. =(  After visiting many shelters she decided to get two 5 month old kittens.  They are not siblings but they seem to be getting along.  They are SO cute and we enjoyed getting to play with them, even if only one cooperated for a picture.

Nathan and I decided to "graduate" ourselves upstairs for church choir this year now that we no longer have anyone in preschool.  We are having fun and so are the girls.  Abigail LOVES being upstairs with all the big kids.  The kids choir sang a song in big church one Sunday this month.  Our church has an awesome photographer that takes pictures so here's a few he captured. Photo credit: Jack Hess

The city of Plano put on a Family Safety Fair a few weekends ago.  Sadly it was the day before the cold front came through so it was 90 degrees.  But we had fun.  Hannah was especially excited to get to see some of the fire clowns.  They had just been out to their school to do an assembly about safety.  Abigail was to shy to get in the picture.

We decided to go with a super hero theme for our Halloween costumes this year.  My mom found super cute and reasonably priced costumes for the girls on-line so we did not have to make anything, which was nice. We did splurge on the ADORABLE bows, but they TOTALLY make the costume and we may wear them individually upon occasion if we have clothing to match.  My mom did a costume photo session one weekend and I am so pleased with what she captured and all her editing work.  So much fun!! 

This jail idea was all my sister.  I think this is my favorite series of photos we took.  They make me laugh every time.  LOVE the cute thought bubbles my mom added!!

We hit two fall festivals over the weekend and then trick-or-treated around the block in our neighborhood on Halloween night.  More than enough candy!  We also got to wear our costumes to church choir one night so yeah for getting extra use out of them.

Sadly the tummy bug made it though our house at the end of the month.  NOT FUN!!  It was short lived, but brutal.  It it Abigail first and she actually missed one of the fall festivals.  We thought we were safe after several days and then Hannah and I got it.  So far Nathan has escaped and we pray that continues.  Being immune-suppressed means getting sick is really not fun for him.

May 2017

We started off the month with Hannah's piano recital.  She did such a good job and I am so proud of all her hard work this year.  She seems to really enjoy performing and "sparkles" for an audience.

Then Hannah's church choir did their spring performance.  This semester it was Kingdom Connection about King Saul, King David, King Herod, King Solomon, and can't forget King Jesus.  All the kids did a great job and Hannah had so much fun.  She picked dance class again this semester and they got to perform as well....so cute.  These great photos were taken by Jack Hess.

Hannah's school did Muffins with Mom for Mother's Day.  So much fun!  They even had a sheet for the kids to fill out asking mom questions.   Even snapped a quick selfie before walking her to class.

Lots of Hannah activities, so I should post about Abigail too.  =)  We met one of my friends from college and her little girl for a play date and lunch. Alexa is a year younger than Abigail, but they have so much fun together.  And Kendra and I always enjoy visiting as well.  Love that we are still friends after 20 years....and that makes me feel old to type that. =P

Nathan and I also volunteered for Field Day at Hannah's school.  Such a fun day!  And we lucked out and it was cloudy with a slight breeze so it wasn't unbearably hot.  Abigail was a great helper too.

I can't believe another year is over and that Hannah is no longer a 1st grader.  She had a great year, learned a lot, and grew too!  Check out the comparison photo (thanks mom)!