The Little Bit of Christmas

 With all the reno's going on upstairs, we put our tree downstairs which worked out great. :) And I just happened to have blue balls, which matched perfectly - oh! it's the little blessings!! We really haven't done much of anything Christmasy - but I did print out Focus on the Family's advent calender - Journey to the Manger - which we've been able to do. Simple. As for baking, it's almost non-existent, but that's okay -this year is just a bit quieter in that department. :)

 Three of my Four darlings. 

 And the other one. 

Amber T. came and helped us get the tree up last Saturday which was great! :) 

Need all the help I can get to be "ready"!

Bethel's Christmas Presentation

 Our Sunday School kids singing "Let's Celebrate" together. If you're looking for Erik - well, he couldn't handle the stage, so he sat on the pew close to James as he led the kids singing. All the kids did so great!
(photo's taken by Mark H.)

 Don't you just love how my daughter (K) keeps her headband on in front of her ears? :) Guess it stays on that way. :)

 The kindergarten and 2's and 3's class singing a Christmas version of "Jesus Loves Me". Love how Laura and cousin Elita are just watching Avia sing. :) 

This is the Adventure Club kids doing their song.

And there were more pictures - but this is all for now. :)

Lannette's Shower

 Just a few pictures of the bridal shower for Lannette - Tim's girl! :) Less than a month til she's my sister-in-love:) Diane hosted one for the family - so lots of cousins and aunts came. 

 The fashionable bridal hat. :)

Cousins Jeanette and Maria - two fun woman. :) 

What Kitchen Reno's Looks Like with 4

So - this is what our kitchen looked like, 4 weeks ago. :) Then....k-baam. 

 Out came the cabinets, bulkhead and the backsplash. (James and I raced bulkhead vs. backsplash - and it was close....)

One of our many helpers.

 Then over the past few weeks, we've had lots of help. :) 

 And this is what the house looked like for a bit - yes it drove me crazy...and yes I did clean it up. But let's just say, doing it with the kiddo's around - or waiting til 9 to start construction work has it's challenges. 

Playing together during the crazyness.

 No children were hurt in the making of the kitchen btw. :) 

 Kids, kids, everywhere - you can find in the cupboards, and on the walls. 

 I think James had a lot of fun putting them all over the place!  

 And before you think I'm supermom... it wasn't always this crazy - (it was almost naptime!!!) and I knew James was taking pictures, otherwise I may have quickly diverted their thoughtful help to some other task. ;) But, I know I'll look at this when I'm 70 :) and think - "those were the good ol' days".

Quiet Time

 Now that the older two rarely nap, they have quiet times - though, honestly, some days are not quiet. 

 Erik listening to music on mommy's ipod. 

 Some of his favorite songs are by the Collingsworth family and the Getty's. 

 I love it when she falls alseep on me - those are very rare times now. 

 One afternoon - after I had read a bunch of books to the kids, then I went downstairs for a bit. The noise upstairs kept getting quieter and quieter, til I came up til this - they all fell asleep. Even little Amy in the jumper. 

Awww - so cute.  - See Ashley -still getting so much use from the jumper!

In the Leaves

 It was one of those "last" outside afternoons, that the kids could play in the leaves.  Erik got out his trucks and worked on those autumn leaves for a bit - and Katy joined him. 

Trying the Trumpet

 During a family music practice, Mark let some of the kids "try" his trumpet. 

 Erik got some noise out of it which was cool. 

I love this shot - Erik's intensity, Mark's encouragement,  Amy's curiosity, and James and Katy working in the kitchen.