June 2019

Even though school is out we always manage to pack a LOT into the month of June.  It is by far our busiest summer month.  Thankfully we had about a week off in between each of our big events.

Our first big activity was VBS.  Our overall theme this year was Search and Rescue.  The girls loved every minute and had so much fun.  I volunteered in the preschool music room again (I think this was year 6) and we had a blast too.  Here's just a few pictures from the week.

Our Sunday School class spent a Saturday morning volunteering at Feed My Starving Children.  We packed boxes of bagged food for children in various countries.  It was lots of fun and we loved that our kids could come help as well.  It's definitely something we'll do again.

We like to occasionally take the girls out for a fun breakfast.  Our favorite place to go is the little donut shop down the street.  They owners are super nice and they always decorate their donuts with the cutest designs.

Our next crazy busy week was music camp.  This week is packed full of non-stop action.  In 4 days the kids learn and perform an entire musical. They spend the mornings learning the songs and then get to do special interest classes in the afternoon.  The cast spends many extra hours learning all their lines.  Then the week ends with a performance for parents and friends.  We always have so much fun....but it is tiring.  In addition to helping as a leader, I also taught an interest class.  I did Black Light Rhythm, which was basically using various instruments and doing rhythm activities in dark....everything glowed.  Hannah has been waiting forever to be old enough to audition for a drama part.  It was a lot of extra time, but she loved it and can't wait to do it again.  Just a few pictures of all the fun.

It's been a few years since our church did a big patriotic program so they decided to do one last weekend. We combined orchestras with another local church and I think we had about 45 people total just playing instruments. We also had a good size choir and the small children't ensemble join us for one song too.  Both girls sang and Nathan and I played.  It was lots of fun and we played some pretty songs.

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.

June 2017

You would think now that school is out, we would have more free time.  WRONG!!  This month has been super fun, but crazy crazy busy.  So thankful that our church offers lots of amazing programs and that my schedule allows me to help and volunteer.

A few days after school got out we did VBS (Vacation Bible School) at church.  Our theme was "Short Circuit, Rewired for Life"...think lots of robots and gears.  The girls had a fantastic time learning about how God made us special and wants to be our friend.  I worked in the preschool music and story room again, think this is year 4 in that room.  It's the best room ever, and working alongside two good friends makes it even better.

We had a few days off between activities and headed up to AR to visit Nathan's family.  We had a great visit and Daddy even pulled out some old games and puzzles from the garage for the girls.

 Daddy joined the puppet show at the church he grew up at.

 We also had some NOT FUN things happen this month. Our air conditioner broke and was unable to be repaired. =(  So we spent two very HOT weeks with no AC while getting 3 companies out to give us quotes for a brand new system.  Thankfully everything is fixed now and our house no longer feels like a sauna. 

Week three was music camp for elementary age kids.  This week is always super busy and chaotic, but it is so much fun!  We had 170 kids that learned an entire musical in one week.  Most of the songs were scripture so lots of God's word was hidden in our hearts.  Since I was working, Abigail got to participate as well even though she was technically too young. She learned all her words and motions so she got to perform in the program on stage too. Hannah decided to audition for a solo and she was part of a quartet on one of the songs.  Super proud of her! She also took a craft class and a dance class. It was an amazing week and I'm so glad I got to participate. Our church photographer Jack Hess took these great photos.

 LOTS and LOTS of kids worshiping God!

Hannah singing with her quartet...other singers not pictures. 

Crafts from class 

Tambourine dance

Last but not least, this week is Preschool Music camp.  Much less intense than last week!  This year Hannah is too old to participate so she has been my assistant.  The older kids (4 and 5 year olds) rotate through my room and two others and by the end of the week they have learned 6 songs.  Then they sing them for their parents on the last day.  This is my 4th year to do this camp and I think it's my last.  It's has been lots of fun though!

December 2016

Another year is over...wow time goes fast.  As promised here's two of my favorite shots from our Christmas card photo shoot.  So thankful for all my mom's hard work.

December is always a crazy busy month with church Christmas programs, parties, birthdays, and Christmas! But it was fun and I'm thankful for the time I got to spend with family and friends. The month started off with the kid's choir program.  The musical this year was Candy Cane Lane, a super cute story.  Hannah really enjoyed the music and the picked a craft class this semester which she LOVED.  The preschool choir actually joined the big kids on 3 songs this year so Abigail got to participate too.  All the preschoolers wore Christmas jammies....so adorable!! (Photo credit goes to Jack Hess)

The adult choir and orchestra did a program as well.  Hannah's choir sang a few songs and Nathan and I played in the orchestra.  It was a really good program.  No pictures of us playing, but here's good one of Hannah singing. (Photo credit goes to Jack Hess)

Abigail and I got to help at Hananh's Christmas party at school again this year.  I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity to volunteer.

Hannah's best friend in kindergarten was Mikayla and she was so sad that she moved about an hour away over the summer.  The girls have kept in touch on Facebook and mailing pictures.  Mikayla's mom contacted me a few days before Christmas to say that she was renting some reindeer to come to her house for a little while on Christmas Eve.  She wanted to invite us to come and see them.  The girls were so excited to see Mikayla and the meet reindeer.  The reindeer were so sweet and gentle.  Such a fun experience!!

Both girls got a doll as their big Christmas gift this year.  Hannah has taken really good care of Emily that she got last year and plays with her all the time.  So we decided she was ready for a real American Girl doll.  We really debated about getting one of the current ones or searching for an old discontinued one. In the end my mom ended up buying an original Molly off e-bay.  We had to do some work on her hair, but overall she was in really good condition.  And i think it's cool she's been loved and played with before.   Abigail will often play with Hannah's doll Emily while Hannah is a school.  So my sister got her a cheaper Target doll.  The girls were SO excited and have not stopped playing with their dolls.  They've dragged them all over the house.  It's so much fun to watch them play!

We still have another week of vacation before Hannah goes back to school.  We're going to look at Christmas lights one night, and maybe have a play date.  Otherwise we plan to hang out at home and relax.

May 2016

We started off the month by watching Hannah's spring church choir program.  The performed the Go Tour - about taking the gospel to the nations.  Hannah picked dance as her class this semester and had so much fun.  They performed to an Indian themed song so they got to wear saris.  It was a great performance. Photo credit goes to Jack Hess

The baby Canadian geese we've been watching finally hatched.  We've taken several trips up to the college to see them.  So so cute!!

These girls are awfully cute too.  =)

For those who are not on Facebook you may not have heard that Nathan has been stuck in Philadelphia for over a month.  =( =(  He works for Verizon and they have union employees up north (NY, NJ, PA, MD, RI,etc).  Their contract was up in August and everyone thought they were going to strike but they thought they could negotiate.  Things were going nowhere and so Verizon drew their line in the sand on April 12.  The union was not happy and walked April 13.  So all employees with an Emergency Work Assignment (EWA) were notified at 5 am on April 13 to book a flight to their assigned location.  So while the union workers stand outside and walk the picket line, those with an EWA are doing their jobs, going into people's houses to repair phone and internet lines.  The hours are bad: 12 hour day, 7 days a week.  Thankfully they get paid overtime for all hours over the normal 40 hour work week.  We all HATE that Daddy is gone, but are trying to make the best of the situation.  Nathan was able to come home for a visit the 2nd weekend in May.  We loved having him home and had some great time together as a family.  It was hard to say goodbye again and send him back to Philadelphia.  We are praying things get resolved soon so everyone can return home to their normal jobs.

Hannah had her kindergarten performance a few weeks ago.  It was so cute and the kids did a great job.  They sang about 10 songs and each one demonstrated a concept they had learned this year in music class.

Abigail and I got to help with Field Day too.  It was fun to be on the other side as a volunteer and not the teacher.  The coaches did a great job planning things.  It was very well organized and had lots of really cute games.  Hannah had fun and so did we!!

Can't believe school is almost over and I will have a 1st grader.  Looking forward to lots of summer fun!

December 2015

We started the month with our choir and orchestra Christmas concert.  The elementary choir always sings a few songs, so Hannah got to participate as well.  And my parents came to the concert so both girls got to listen....a first for them since Mommy and Daddy are always on stage playing.
(photo credit: David Alvey)

Poor Hannah missed a few more days of school.  Her only symptom was fever but it would not go away and lasted 4 days.  We're glad she's feeling better and didn't share her germs.

The preschool choir also did a little Christmas performance where they sang 5 songs they learned this semester.  No singing photos, because Mommy and Daddy were both busy helping since that's the choir we work with.  They were so cute and Abigail loved getting to sing on stage.  They did have a photo booth set up in the lobby.  (Photo credit to David Alvey)

I'm happy to report that Domino has been a very good boy with the Christmas tree.  I was REALLY worried that he would try and climb it, knock it over, take off all my ornaments, etc.  So glad that has not been the case.  He is very interested in the ribbon on the packages though.  =)

We have enjoyed Hannah's break from school!  We've baked goodies for neighbors, had some friends over the play, met Daddy for lunch, puppet shows at the library, and just played at home.  We also made a gingerbread house with Grammy, lots of coloring and played at the park one afternoon (when it was warm).

Last month I mentioned taking photos for our Christmas cards. We actually got quite a few good photos.  My mom does such an awesome job. These are just two of my favorites.

We also continued our tradition of taking pictures of the girls by the Christmas tree at night.  This photo session did not go as well....it took two tries before we actually got anything good.  Once the girls were ready to cooperate we got several cute photos.  Only posting a few favs though. This is my mom's beautiful tree and living room, not mine.  =)