Christmas in Minnesota

We had a white and wonderful Christmas at Grandma's...

A Christmas brunch with Lyn...words can't explain how much we all miss dad...Lyn made us a beautiful memory book of him...there were many tears. Christmas with dad last year...Grandma Dot's Christmas party...Precious, amazing, wonderful Gram!
Ron, Darla and the girls came all the way from North Carolina...what a treat!


Christmas morning at Grandpa and Grandma's house...

Bedtime Blessings...by Chuck Swindoll

As the year draws to a close, Christmas offers its wonderful message: Emmanuel. God with us. He who resided in Heaven, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, willingly descended into our world. He breathed our air, felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins. He didn't come to frighten us, but to show us the way to warmth and safety.

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people." Luke 1:68

Believe

There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:8-14 NIV

CHRISTmas parties

What a fun day! End of the year parties. Austin's party was at the Ice Den. It was so fun to see these Arizona kids with hats, mittens and ice skates...

food...

friends... Mr. Bynum...

Coyotes practicing on the rink next door...

Jenny's party at the Horner's home...won the peppermint count!

class photo...

food...

Mrs. McArthur...

crafts...

snowball fight...marshmallow fight...so fun!

roasting the marshmallows...same ones???

Beautiful moms...

Too cute...

The parties were fun and it was great to see the kids come together to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. At Austin's party they ended by having the whole 5th grade sing Happy Birthday to Jesus at the arena...Jenny's class exchanged ornaments they had made that represented what Jesus meant to them. We have been blessed with amazing friends...being able celebrate the miracle of Christmas together!

Mug Exchange

Austin with his teacher Mr. Bynum...

With my camera not working too well today, I tried to get some pictures of Austin and his friends at one of the class Christmas parties. Today they had a mug exchange. Each person brought a mug filled with something fun. Austin got candy canes and Silly String. He scored!

We had a great time with Mr. Bynum, parents and classmates. Mr. Grant brought his famous butterscotch oatmeal cookies in, and yes, every single one was eaten. They were delicious!!!

Austin has a great group of kids in his class and we are so blessed with Mr. Bynum. One more day and three more parties until Christmas break officially begins.

Gingerbread house

Today Jenny had a gingerbread house party. You could tell the kids had so much fun. They used little milk cartons for the house and added frosting and graham crackers...an ice cream cone was used to make the Christmas tree!

Jenny is in the picture with her amazing, sweet teacher, Janka McArthur. She is wonderful! The last couple of weeks they have been learning about Christmas around the world. Because Mrs. McArthur is from Romania, she has been able to tell the children all about her traditions as a child. Jenny's favorite was, leaving your shoes by the door before you go to bed and in the morning they are filled with treats! That does not happen at our house.

She was also taught about her dutch heritage...it reinforced what grandpa Harvey had told her about his childhood.