Dressed to a T

Teresa latches on so quickly to anything musical.  I find her singing all day long.  She has my affinity for mixing up lyrics as well (mostly unintentional).  Here's my favorite as of late:

"Jeeeeee-sus, Jeeeee-sus,

Jesus in the noontime

Jesus in the sunshine

Jeeeeee-sus, Love Him

Love Him when the sun goes down."

Catholic Schools Week #4 & 5

 By Thursday morning the snow cleared enough for another fun day at school.  The kids dressed up for Husker Day, brought donations for the soup kitchen, & lots of other fun activities.

 That evening they hosted an Open House at the school.  I forgot to take any pictures in Andrew's classroom where the special guest was Chevy the dog, a golden lab who they get to read to once a week!  They had snowman decorations everywhere, too.  Here's Rebecca trying to get a picture in front of her picture as it cycled through the SmartBoard... instead have a background of her sweet little friend Gianna.

 Showing us her journal

 Playing in the "house" area & seriously wishing SHE was a Kindergartner

Rebecca with her teacher Mrs. R

Friday kicked off with a special Mass with the Bishop!  That was a great way to start the day.  The 2nd graders then headed out to a field trip & the rest of the kiddos enjoyed a movie morning at school.  When I picked them up at noon, they were all smiles!  Apparently, they had done some sort of St. Valentine's Day poem in Kindergarten which led to Rebecca getting but not finishing two suckers.  So, when we emptied out her bookbag at home, she only thought it logical to enjoy them both at once!

 

We love our Catholic School!

Catholic Schools Week #3

It seems to have become a Catholic Schools Week tradition to get snowed in at least one day!  This year was no different.  Wednesday was supposed to be pajama day at school, so instead we stayed home & played in our pjs (sometimes with snowpants over the top) almost all day. 

We read books, played in the snow, cleaned out some closets, & started our valentines.  Rebecca created these flowerpots & butterflies (with a lollipop for the body).  Andrew had me take his photo in his Darth Vader costume & we added a glow stick in place of each light saber.  They turned out so cool!

That night for dessert we made our first ever snow ice cream.  So easy & so yummy!

-big bowl of snow

-can of condensed milk

-teaspoon of vanilla

Mix & enjoy immediately!

Catholic Schools Week #2

COSTUME DAY

 Rebecca as St. Zita "the Little Cook"

 Andrew as Darth Vader

 not so saintly

 Teresa as Angelina Ballerina dancing with our latest hand-me-down toy... so cute!  Thanks, Kim.

Catholic Schools Week #1

 Happy Crazy Day!

 

 Spreading the giggles & joy

Guess what?

Want to guess why we made pink cookies?

 It's a girl!  Baby is 18 weeks along & looking beautiful.  Amazingly, I've been feeling her kick for a  couple of weeks already!  Makes me smile every time.  Can't wait to meet her.

Peek-a-boo!

Trivia Night

 The Big Kahunas

 

My favorite category was all word games:  Thinkety Pinkety. 

 Not the highest scoring group in the bunch overall, but goodness we had fun!

Nebraska Walk for Life 2013

 On the most beautiful Saturday in January I can remember for the decades that I've been attending, our family bundled up & headed to the Walk for Life.

It's another one of those events that feels like a big reunion.  Such a gift to be surrounded by people who also love & respect all life!  Especially love those ladies in blue.  :)

 Spent the rest of the morning at the Birthright table spreading the word about how we can help women struggling with pregnancy, early motherhood, or who just need someone who will actually listen.  It's a beautiful & fulfilling ministry!

Pinewood Derby 2013

 With the exception of the actual cutting, Andrew did pretty much everything.  He designed, sanded, painted, glittered, mod podged, & tested.  So proud of him!

Our silly girl

 Teresa is in a phase where she changes her clothes a minimum of ten times a day.  It's hilarious.  It's messy.  Keeps me laughing & humble whenever we have to leave the house!  Here she is imitating Mommy.

 Just her standard grocery store attire

Being INTENTIONALLY crazy for Crazy Day at school

Happy New Year

We spent the day celebrating together & decorating the kitchen for our party.  We made sure to have our own hip hip hooray before we put the kids to bed & headed out to another celebration.  Thanks, Amber & Kelly!

Our second amaryllis opened just in time for the new year!

Merry Christmas

 After Saturday Mass at our parish for the 4th Sunday of Advent, we headed home to pack for our Christmas travels.

 We had a wonderful & almost quiet time at the farm with my parents.  Lots of chatting, cards, dominoes, singing, & playing.  Even some napping happened!  I can not remember the last time I was able to take a nap on a holiday there.  Made it even more enjoyable.

 My brother Doug's family was able to celebrate with us for part of the time as well.  We all loved spending time with sweet baby Lily.

 Rebecca working on her scrapbook.  She received the cutest kit from her cousin!  Yes, that is rows of sequins on the page.

 Our quiet Christmas Eve dinner

 After Christmas stories, singing Happy Birthday, & placing Jesus in the manger, it was time for presents!

 All were very pleased with their gifts.  Teresa was especially thrilled by her "sparkle toy" from her cousin.  She asked Santa for one a few weeks before, but we had NO IDEA what in the world she was talking about.  Thank goodness someone did!

 Relaxing upstairs after the kids are in bed

 Christmas morning:  Santa came!

 Christmas tree cinnamon rolls

 Mass at St. Francis

 After Mass we headed back to the farm for a lovely brunch, more fun playing, & packing.  We headed out the door (only returning once for forgotten items) & off to our next celebration with Darren's family.

 We had a much busier crowd at their house & lots of fun.  My highlight?  Listening to Andrew make baby Ryder giggle over & over & over again.  :)  Having too much fun to take any more photos. 

Merry Christmas! 

May the joy of our Savior's birth fill your heart with peace.