Grace's Choir Performance

This year Grace was able to join the kid's choir at our church. This worked out well because my practices were at the same time as her choir practice. She loved practice each week. However, on the morning of her performance she woke up with a very grouchy attitude. She was not going to sing in front of all those people! Gramy & Papa were able to come for her performance, but I was very doubtful she would do it. However, Gramy worked her magic and convinced her to participate! Here she is eating with the red plate because we were so proud of her. Gramy treated us to fast food, a very rare treat these days. I even let them get a Happy Meal. The girls couldn't understand why their food was in a box.

I forgot my camera, but got a few pictures from another mom. They sang "Away in a Manger." When the older kids performed they used tubes to play a song. One of the songs was "Jesus Loves Me" Another mom told me she heard Grace gasp and say, "That's my song!"


After their performance there was a children's sermon. Faith bravely went to sit on the steps, but Grace was back to her timid self by that time so she sat with us instead.

First Snow

The first snow this year was on a Sunday. The kids were ready to go out and play the minute they saw the snow. So it was a great opportunity to talk about making going to church an important part of our lives. When we promised they could play when we got home they willingly put on their dresses. Jeremy took them out while I was getting lunch on the table. They enjoyed sledding in our backyard. Oh, the joys of living in Hannibal you can sled in your backyard. (everything is on a hill here)

Lately I have caught Faith with her tongue out in a lot of pictures. She sticks it out when she is climbing, running, etc.

Polar Express

One of our bigger Christmas activities this year was going to a Polar Express event at Wildlife Prairie Park. Gramy and Nana both came along for the fun. I was very thankful as I'm not sure I could have navigated this event without extra helpers. We started at an area with crafts & activities.

Here the kids are painting their own Christmas ornaments. A whole glass of paint water got spilt on my mom. She is such a trooper, she always ends up messy on our adventures. (Remember when the goats climbed up her jeans at Grant's farm?)
A skunk came out and opened a "gift" of food. Titus was pretty curious to watch.
When it was time for our train to depart we went to an area and listened to the beginning of the book. Then we got on a tram to take us to the train. While on the train we listened to some of the audio from the movie including the Hot Chocolate Song, Grace's favorite.



After we arrived at the North Pole we took another tram to pony rides. The girls loved this. Titus didn't take a ride, he stayed with Nana.
Faith's pony ride.
Jessica, Carter, & Ellee also came with us. Here is their pony ride.
Grace's pony ride.
Gramy with the kids waiting to see Santa.
Grace & Carter love seeing each other. They think they are cousins.
Such a long wait to see Santa.....


Grace tells Santa she wants a scooter and Faith tells him she wants a bike.
After the long wait they had a quick cookie & hot chocolate before checking out this blow up slide.
Titus' was very ready to get down and check things out at this point.

It was such a fun night for the kids, which made the 6 hours of driving worth it. (although I wouldn't drive it all again without stopping at a grandmas house)