Sunday School Christmas Program

This year our church did the Christmas program more as an outreach to the families of the youth/children who attend different events by Bethel Park - Adventure Club, Junior Youth, as well as our own Sunday School. It turned out really neat, with a lot of familes coming to watch their children act out the nativity story.The shepherds getting ready to go up to the stage.

James getting 'our kids' ready for singing. We lead the Sunday School children in music every week, and had taught them a few songs for the occasion.

They did an incredible job...singing VERY loud, and making every smile. :) It was so cute, cause at the end of the last song, James has his arms outstretched to finish the song, drawing the ending out...and there was little Noah( the blue-striped boy with the crown on) in the first row, concentrating on James while copying James' conducter-like finish with his hands....the audience laughed so hard. :) So thankful to God that they did so well as we only had a few Sunday's to get ready. :)

Christmas Girl's Party

It's so fun to have our own home, and be able to have people over or do some fun events. :) In keeping with some of my family's traditions this year, we had a girl's party at our place- just like Anne-Marie does in Alberta for young women around us. We had a good evening - food, games, and a gift exchange.
"Which gift should I open"? :) I loved Marianna's hat. :)

We played a game where we had to unwrap a present wrapped in many layers, while first ringing a bell, and donning a hat, apron, & oven mitts and tearing away before the next person got a 6 on the die that was passed around.

The winner Rachel. :) The prize was a teddy bear.

Katelyn trying to get a head start on opening Christmas gifts... :)

During the gift exchange...

Us all. :) From l-r: (top row) Krista, Janelle, Erin, Katie, Marianna and Rachel

(bottom row): Julia, Amy, Karen, me and Katelyn. :)

We didn't have anyone around to take the group shot, so it's just a timer shot. :)

Cookie Decorating

We had Henry and Heather and family over for a cookie decorating night on the 11th of December. It was such fun to watch the kids get into it, and make some cute cookies. It was my family's annual tradition to have a cookie decorating night, and I wanted to do it again this year...but needed some help. :) Nathan watched from the highchair for most of the evening wanting some of the assorted treats we put out...while we decorated away. Such a fun evening. The clan. :)

We had gotten a gingerbread kit from Michael's, so Henry worked on that for a while, and then the girls helped with the finishing touches. Kind of reminded me of daddy, whose tradition is to decorate a single cookie for the whole night - always was a masterpiece by the end. :)

Heather and Julie - they were a team for part of the evening. :) So cute aren't they? :)

Lydia and James (and Micah) finding just the right sweet treat to add to their creation.

The masterpiece. :) The one who had done the neatest cookie decorating (original or beautiful...) won the gingerbread house - which was Rachel Heikoop. :) A fun evening.

Happy Birthday Tim!!!

Being it's Timbo's 23rd birthday today, and we couldn't celebrate with him, we did a little 'long distance' party. :) Happy Birthday to a wonderful brother! Keep growing in Christ! With Love from James, Liz and Katie. :)

Just a little song for our birthday brother!

Christmas at the Windmill!

Over the last couple of weeks, everyone has been working hard to get the new additions to the Windmill decorated, completed and filled up. I've been having alot of fun with it helping to get the giftware in and displayed.
My James - had to get in the picture :) and spreading some Christmas cheer. :)

The view from the store into the addition. :)

The main Christmas display. Looks quite magical - Nelly made it look so lovely!!

When you come in, this is to the far right - and the windows are where the entrance of the Windmill is. (if that makes sense)

Some of the Teddy Bear/children's display.

Some of the "words" over the windows.

Our "Britto" Collection.

Birdhouse Display. (from Ohio)

Our new necklace display - I was so excited get this line. :) It's designed by two sisters in Monteral.

Another shot of the Christmas table.

And this is the other section - on the other side of the Windmill - across from the coffee bar. It is more rustic, and full of rockers, wildlife lamps, figurines, etc.

And the last picture. :) So anyways, that's the Windmill for now. :)

Working at the Windmill :)

I've been working at the Windmill a lot more lately - with the Christmas rush, as well as the new addition has been opened up for giftware a couple weeks ago! It is quite exciting to see it all come together and looking so wonderful -thanks to many hours of hard work from a lot of people! :) Of course Katelyn is one of my sidekicks, and here she is in one of the milk crates - put there after the swing failed to amuse her anymore. She quite liked her new circumstance....and it was closer to her mommy. The dairy maid.

Christmas Decor

Just a few pictures of some Christmas coziness around our home. My ornaments from Anne-Marie... :) All pretty. :) This is our table (from Cameron) in our entrance. :)

Grandma's cupboard with garland and lights.

My blocks on my fridge...

Our "Christmas" tree for now. :)

And our bedroom, with our own little mini Christmas tree - with little ball ornaments from Grandma Jost. :)