Jonah's 4th Grade Christmas Party

The Monday before Christmas Jonah's class had their winter (aka Christmas Party). A group of Mom's got together and planned the party ahead of time. Jonah's class has a great Room Mom who thought ahead and reserved the auditorium for the party. A couple of Mom's made the decorations ahead of time, aren't they beautiful!

First we had pizza for lunch then came time to split up for crafts and a game. Of course the boys wanted to be together and so did the girls. We had 3 crafts, they decorated a snowman gift bag and filled it with Snowman soup, hot chocolate, marsh mellows, a candy cane and Hersey's kisses, and a snowman mug. They could keep it or give it away for Christmas. They made a couple of ornaments, and decorated 2010 New Years glasses.
The fourth table had a game of bingo, they used skittles as markers.

Afterwards they split into two groups and made a couple of dessert crafts.

One was a marsh mellow snowman.

The hat was a Reese's cup. The scarf and nose was from a fruit roll up.

The eyes and buttons were mini chocolate chips.

Jonah and the finished snowman.

The next one was decorating sugar cookies. Jonah was full by this time. Six pieces of pizza will do that to you.

Last was a game. Everyone put a blown up balloon that had a rubber band on their ankle and the object was to bop the other teams balloon. They split up into two teams, boys...

vs girls.

What a great game that was. Everyone loved it!

What a great time his class had! It was one of the nicest school parties I had ever been to.

Snow Day

Friday afternoon it started snowing. It was forcasted that we would get 6-10 inches. We got at least 6. The boys went out and played that evening not believing we would be getting that much snow.

The next morning we all decided to go out and play. The girls didn't care to much for it so they went over to Grandpa Jim & Grandma Teena's while the boys and me worked on a snowman.
I started a snowball and Luke helped me roll it around the yard.

It took Jonah a while to figure out how to get a ball going but finally he did.

Luke found some arms.

We put the snow balls together and we had a snowman.

We went in and had lunch and the girls took a nap. Then we were ready to go out and finish frosty. We found a hat and a nose then went out.

Luke and Rosemary were very proud of frosty.

Rosemary gave him a pat.

Lilly was not sure about the snowman or the snow and wanted to be held.

As you see Lilly was not happy at first when we put her down.

Finally she started testing out the snow. It's pretty yummy.

Then Rosemary talked her into going to see Frosty and she found out he was an OK Snowman.

During all of this Luke took a rest from making snow angels and eating snow.

It was time to go in but now the girls wanted to stay outside and play. The snow was surprise, usually we don't get snow until January. Hopefully we'll have more snow before Spring.

Luke's Preschool Christmas Program

Every year Luke's Preschool does a Christmas Program of a few songs and bible verses for their family. This year they all dressed up as Angels, Wise Men, Sheppards, Mary, Joesph, and some Christmas Elves. Luke was a Sheppard.

He is on the right in a red plaid shirt and he has a gold Sheppard's hat. They all did a really great job.

Luke sang, did the motions to the songs and said the bible verses he learned with no problem. I was very proud!

Afterwards we went to the fellowship hall for lunch. The kids had pizza, fruit and carrots. The adults had some really yummy appetizers that different families had made.

As usual Luke was more interested in the fruit and desserts than any other food. After he ate the kids played together and he danced a while with his friend Ruthie. Shane and I got a big kick out of watching them dance. Santa came after they ate but once again when I asked Luke if he wanted to go talk to Santa Luke said, NO WAY!

I love going to school programs and can't wait for the next one.

Jonah's Yummy School Project

Jonah had a project due today that he had to create a menu (appetizer, main course, and dessert) that was nutritious. I figured he might as well cook it if he was going to plan it. He has helped me in the kitchen from time to time but has not cooked a whole meal by himself, so I figured this was the perfect opportunity to start. I guided him but he planned and cooked it.

Jonah started with his appetizer, Parmesan Zucchini Strips. He chopped, mixed and dipped his zucchini.
Jonah did not like getting his fingers gooey.

Into the oven they went. Jonah thought he would go rest while they cooked but I informed him it was now time to start on his main course, Spaghetti.

To cut down on the fat we decided to use turkey instead of hamburger, so he browned that and started the water for the whole wheat noodles. Jonah wasn't sure about how the taste of whole wheat noodles was but he tried it anyway.

The Parmesan Zucchini Strips turned out perfect!

He finished up the sauce. Put the Garlic Bread into the oven, made a salad, and finally everything was finished. We did not buy the ingredients to make his dessert but the menu called for Fruit Pizza.

I believe Jonah was very pleased with his dinner, I know the rest of the family was! I can't wait for his next meal.

Christmas Castle

This past week my Dad won tickets to Castle McCulloch's Christmas Show. They had a lighted outdoor trail with Christmas singers and Santa Clause. Dad gave me the tickets and I took the boys. It was a cold night but the lights were beautiful.

Santa was in the Castle and you could go tell him what you wanted but Luke still said NO WAY!

My pictures don't do the beauty of the lights justice. Between the lights, Santa, elves, and Christmas music it was a Christmas wonderland.
I've been in the Christmas spirit but even more now since we went to the Castle.

Sunday with Santa, or not!

Sunday we all went to see Santa. He flew down to the City Park near our house for the afternoon. For two weeks Luke has asked everyday if he can go see Santa to tell him he would like a Dinosaur Egg.

We waited in line for about 30 minutes. All four kids were very patient. Then finally it was our turn. Jonah took the stroller out of the way. I told Luke it was his turn let's go tell Santa what you want. Luke said, NO WAY! So Shane and I went to take the girls up to Santa. Rosemary held onto Shane for dear life. He said she was shaking. I knelt down beside Santa with Lilly and she turned her head away from Santa so she could not see him. During this Luke had been hiding behind me and decides to put his head up the back of my sweater. I can't get him out and I can't stand up because he's in my sweater plus I am finding the whole situation hilarious and can't stop laughing. Luckily they got a picture of us and sent it to me. Shane says I look like I'm crying but I'm laughing.

Santa is just sitting there so calm looking. Notice the grip Rosemary has on Shane's shirt.

They also had a group singing Christmas songs, crafts, and snacks. Luke was so happy to get a candy cane.

Rosemary liked the cookies.

Lilly liked the cake. Jonah enjoyed the hot chocolate. Later that night Shane and I got another laugh talking about our crazy afternoon.

Thanksgiving and Family Traditions

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving! I think it is because every year I go to Farmer, NC to the farm that my Grandmother Esther Garner Davis grew up on and see my family on my Mother's side. This year we had 57 family members of all ages come. Everyone brings food and we spend the day catching up. We were the first to arrive. Thomas, my Grandma's brother and his wife Trudy who live in S.C. had spent the night and had the fire going in the fire place, and food cooking. One family at at time comes driving up the long driveway and we can't wait to see who it is.

Chit chatting in the kitchen, my Luke, Amy, Ann, Thomas, my Dad Jim, my Mom Teena, and Trudy.

Me and Lilly
Tammy Garner had the house all decorated beautifully for the holiday.

Jonah, Rosemary and Lilly checking out the Christmas tree.

Craig, Thomas, and Emily.

I was so thrilled that Grace Thornburg came! She is my Grandma's first cousin.

My cousin Shelly's youngest, Callen and Tammy Garner. Tammy is the one who had the house decorated so beautifully.

Luke and his cousin.

Colin, Ethan, and Jonah spent most of the morning before lunch playing in a big Magnolia tree.

Cousins playing outside waiting for everyone to get there to eat.

My Dad and his three granddaughters, Adelyn, Lilly & Rosemary.

Finally everyone had arrived. We took a group photo, which I hope to have a copy of soon, the food was blessed and we started to make our plates to eat.

After lunch Wallace Garner gave wagon rides around the farm.

Others like Trudy and Ersal caught up on what had been going on in each other's family.

Dad, Adelyn, Rosemary, and Shane.

Then it was time for the annual Ball Game.

After a couple of innings Luke decided he wanted to play and much to my surprise he hit the ball. Then he didn't know which way to run and started to go to third base so I yelled for him to go the opposite way, it was funny.

Jonah did a great job hitting the ball!

Most of my cousins that didn't play watched from the side lines.

Randy and Tommy talking while Ersal plays with Callen. Lilly and Mom are to the side.

Shelly & Callen rocking by the fire while Mary and Debbie wash up dishes.

The time came to pack up and go home. Lilly, Rosemary, and Dad waited on the porch while we got everything together. What a great day. We are so blessed to have such a great tradition and family! I am so glad my children are able to grow up knowing who their cousins are and are able to play on this farm that has given me so many great memories!