A day at CC

 This was the first school day I was able to bring my camera and snap some pictures of my class.  I would have liked to taken many more, but the in the mornings, I am so busy that there is literally no time to snap any.  This little boy is in my class and has such a southern drawl that at times, I can't understand what he is saying.

 This is part of my class preparing to do a science experiement.

 Benjamin working on his art project.  We study a great artist each week and do a project to emulate the unique way the artist created.

 Paul leading the Challenge students in morning worship.  (7th, 8th and 9th grades)

 Ellie receiving her award for first place in the science fair.  She worked so hard on her project and did a great job.

 My board at the beginning of class.  Looks like alot to cover, huh?  Well, we cover all this material in 30 minutes and we go over each item around 7 times in that half hour.  Most Mondays I don't breathe during this segment! It is fast paced and I try to use different methods to keep the kids interested.

 The mats are where the kids sit.  This helps with learning "personal" space.

 Back to the science experiment.  We were making fossils.

 Ben and his friend watching the other tutor demonstrate the experiement.

Classical Conversations is a great opportunity for our entire family.  It has revolutionized our homeschool and I'm excited about what my kids (and Paul and I) are learning.

Another Baby Quilt

 I made a baby quilt for a long awaited very special baby and his mom a few weeks ago.  It was a privilege to make a quilt for this baby.  She waited 13 years for this second child.

 It was the first triangle quilt I've made and it went together pretty easily.

 The back was all Snoopy, the dad's favorite.

The baby, Conner, was born on Friday.  He is beautiful and Mom and Dad are just glowing.  God is so good!

Misc. Emma Pics

 Emma is, sadly, giving up her afternoon naps.  But sometimes, in the late afternoons, if she sits still long enough, this is how we find her.

 There's that winning smile and those amazing curls.

 She loves those pink cowboy boots.

 Potty training is going well, if she's naked.

 Yardwork

 Um, yeah.  See how the cushion has torn apart from the back of the couch?  Because of my children doing exactly this. 

Big brother helping.

Christmas Sundays

 This picture is from Christmas Sunday, 2012.  Don't we look nice??  I got to looking at this picture and thought I'd like to compare it with last years Christmas' Sunday picture.  So I did.

 Nice picture also.  I can tell I've dropped some weight between these two pictures.  But something else stood out to me.  Can you see any similarities?

And here is Christmas Sunday, 2010.  I can really see my weight loss here.  And the kids have grown so much.  But, do you see another similarity between these 3 pics?

MY HUSBAND WORE THE SAME EXACT CLOTHES ALL 3 YEARS.  I don't know why i find that so funny, but I do.

Sorry honey.  It was too funny not to post!!

Christmas Day

(Apparently, I only took pictures of the little kids!)

We all were up around 8:30.  One of the sweet young ladies in our church very kindly made us a big pan of homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas.  They were the very. best. cinnamon. rolls I have ever had!!  I was so excited.  I wanted to make a special breakfast, but I wasn't able to pull it together.  So, we were going to have bagels and cream cheese.  But then I forgot to get those at the store.  So I was resigned to having toast.  boring!!  After the Christmas Eve service, she handed me a big pan full of rolls.  That was one of the nicest things anybody has ever done for me!!

After breakfast, the little ones all opened their stockings while we waited for the big ones to join us.  Finally everyone was ready, and the presents were opened.  Oh what fun!  Sam Ben and Emma were so excited.  We had only got the big kids one gift, but it was a great gift and they all were very surprised and very happy!
It was a nice morning.

Then it was off to Nana and Poppy's for a delicious Christmas dinner with the family.  After the dinner the kids played games while we visited.

We got back home around 4, and then the whole tone of the day changed.  Zack was leaving.  He gathered all his belongings and got ready to go.  Paul, Jr. and the girls drove him to the airport and they left around 7:30.  It was a tough good bye.  He had been here several weeks and we were accustomed to having him home.  I hated to see him leave.

Paul Jr. stayed another week and left on New  Years Eve.  Another tough goodbye.  Sigh.  Saying goodbye is never easy.

We had such a nice Christmas season with both boys home, but it went way too fast.

Finally, Christmas Eve Pictures