Star Wars Christmas

When the enticing trailer came out we were overjoyed and looking forward to the movie to come.  While we were watching the halftime show of the Monday Night Football Game, we witnessed the amazing second  trailer that just increased the anticipation for the movie to come.  Following the boys' Christmas piano recital, we quickly drove home and then went briskly to Regal theaters for Star Wars The Last Jedi.  Because they had an intriguing popcorn bowl and a collectible cup for Brett to add to his collection, we bought the pair.  The next day, while eating the leftover popcorn we talked over the ups and downs of the movie.  Because when the second trailer came out, we had watched with Mark, one of our babysitters, so we planned to see it with him on December 15 along with my guitar teacher, Andy.  Overall the Last Jedi was a movie to remember.  Fortunately Dad was off the first two days Star Wars came out!   

We are ready to devour both the popcorn and the cherry coke

Just waiting to see a movie that we have waited for so long

The three intrepid commanders of both good and evil

Before the battle ensues

Christmas Music

This was the most challenging Christmas piano concert for our boys. After returning from Sri Lanka only 10 days before the performance and after not practicing for two weeks, we had to do some serious practicing to pull this off. They played beautifully and even pulled off the second annual Christmas trio. They received many compliments and hopes they do it again next year.

Garrett played Ding Dong Merrily on High.

Griffin played Angels We Have Heard on High.

Bryce played Away in the Manger.

The trio: Silent Night.

Grammy and Poppy came to worship with us on the Sunday in December where the kids sing in the Christmas choir.

Griffin and Bryce sang in the Crosspoint Kids Christmas Choir.

Griffin especially loves the songs with hand motions.

In the middle: Griffin, Kyle, Noah, Bryce

This is Bryce's last year singing in the preschool through 5th grade choir. He isn't too sad. Griffin will have to hold his own next year. 

CC Book Club and Play "A Christmas Carol" and Mini Masters

We were a little jet lagged when we arrived home in early December, but we were able to pull of a book club on Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and then act it out in our very own play in front of parents, grandparents, siblings, and the Challenge students.

Griffin as Young Scrooge with his girlfriend Belle.

Bryce enjoyed his role as the Ghost of Christmas Future.

We also pulled off a Mini Masters Day in which we reviewed all 12 weeks of material in a subject based game stations for three hours before the play.

the first reading of the play and assigning parts.

Book club participation.

Joy's Work Party

Joy's work got together for the annual Christmas Party and gift exchange at a local pizza place. This year we took home a blue tooth speaker.

The whole FPHC clinic staff.

FPHC providers

Christmas Activities

It just isn't the Christmas season without a few of our favorite Christmas Activities.

Our annual trip to the tree lot.

Even if it never came inside, we just couldn't go without picking out a tree this year.

Our outdoor tree this year secondary to our active construction site.

This year we made a few batches of Christmas cookies and our own salt dough ornaments.

Our favorite part of the nativity is getting to pet the sheep.

Enjoying a local live nativity with friends.

Taking on ice skating for the first time in a year or more.

The boards seem to stand up better than these walker things.

These were an extra $5 but didn't seem to reduce the rate of falling much.

The boys decided it was easier to hold hands.

Home group Christmas get together for fun and fellowship.

Look what I found in my pocket when I came home from the party?

Challenge A Class- celebrating the end of the first semester.

Garrett's gingerbread house creation.

December Highlights 2017

December was a month of Christmas activities as we returned to our house in the middle of the home remodel project.