Dinner and Dessert Fundraiser for ICC

In order to fund the trip to Ignite in Tennessee, our ICC chapter hosted a fundraiser which was quite successful and allowed the kids an opportunity to perform some of their speeches to a public audience.

Griffin serving dinner alongside Selah, Joy, Caleb, and Madeline.

Bryce, Griffin, and Jake perform their ORAD about Joseph.

Griffin MCing with Madeline.

A great turnout and great desserts to be auctioned, one with a rap...

Joy's contribution to the dessert auction.

 

Christmas Tree Time

We were gone for Thanksgiving and then were back at work when we returned, so this was probably the latest we got our Christmas Tree any year recently.  But this one was pretty healthy and didn't drop many needles until early January.  Brett, as usual, was the main decorator of the tree and he enjoyed seeing all the options of ornaments to put on it.  Qi'ra had her favorite hiding place back for a month and she certainly enjoyed retreating and sitting under the tree.

Qi'ra under the tree near the heater.

Full of ornaments--telling the story of the kids upbringing.

The boys work together to pick out a good tree!

 

Thanksgiving in DC

With Brett having Thanksgiving off for the first time since 2017, we took advantage to go to DC to stay with Joy's brother's family who opened their home to us and to Joy's sister, Alecia and her family.  So it was a houseful of joy and interaction, playing together, eating together, talking together, and traveling in the local area together for ultimate frisbee, sightseeing, magic shows, and eating.  What a great time of connection and bonding.  Flights and travel were way smoother than expected for traveling the day before Thanksgiving, praise God!

Ethiopian food, including "edible napkins"

The US Capitol at night, new barricade preventing entry.

Freezing while walking in the DC area.

A pleasant surprise found at the Aerospace Museum--X-Wing.

Kaleb and Griffin admiring the rocks and minerals in the Natural History Museum.

Garrett enjoying his time exploring in DC.

Hey dumb, dumb, you want some gum, gum?

After watching National Treasure, we had to go see the actual Declaration of Independence.

Lining up sides for ultimate frisbee with a few other families.

Cousin picture!

Cutting some veggies with Matt.

Brett and Bryce at the Kennedy Center magic show.

On top of the Kennedy Center on a clear, cold day with Aaron, Kaarli, Kaleb, and Logan.

The whole crew (all 3 families) at the magic show.

Risk challenge among the boys.

Sushi night???

"This is level one sushi, " says Uncle Aaron

Private dinner party at a sushi restaurant, it is good to know someone who knows people...

Lincoln Memorial boy cousin picture.

Whole crew picture at the Lincoln Memorial looking at the Washington Monument.

Naomi couldn't help getting a picture with her Aunt Joy.

Fish Bowl game with the whole crew.

The adult dinner table on Thanksgiving Day!

Cousins relaxing together on the couch.

Ultimate frisbee on turf, game #1 with the whole crew.

Breakfast table time.

Thanksgiving dinner at the "kid" table.

Getting our exercise so we could eat a big dinner!

Whiffle ball in the court with the neighbors.

Family time watching football.

On our way to the airport to fly to DC.

 

Grammy's Birthday

Knowing that we weren't going to get together for Thanksgiving, we had a special get together to celebrate Grammy's birthday.  Wendy hosted and we enjoyed hanging out together.  We were missing Haley and Rachel, but Garrett had just returned the night before, so he got to be back in the family gathering mode.

Happy Birthday Grammy!

Grammy opens her presents.

Capturing the moment on film.

Grammy enjoys her grandsons.