Saturday, November 30, 2013

Fun with Pottery

This afternoon, Alli and I picked up her good buddy Alaina for a visit to Java & Clay.
The girls had a blast painting pottery!
They were so cute painting their giraffe (Alli) and Hello Kitty (Alaina).
Both girls are quite artistic!
After they finished their masterpieces, we enjoyed some hot chocolate.
A very fun afternoon and just what the girls needed!!!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Yesterday, during half-time of the Apple Cup, we picked out our Christmas Tree.
Normally, this is a long process of hunting through all the trees,
while Garrett explains to all of us why the ones we chose won't work, but not this time.
Nope, Garrett simply said okay when I said we wanted the beautiful one right by the road.
Maybe he was just so happy that the Cougs were up going into half-time {so sad that it didn't last}
 that he wasn't his usual "critical eye for trees" self but we NEED that Garrett back
because I apparently have NO concept of size ~ our tree is HUGE!!!
Last night was almost comical as we lovingly {sort of!} joked that we got a Griswold tree.
Really, it is gigantic ~ took up half the living room, 
so we moved out the dining room table and set it up in there with the Christmas train table.
In there, it looks stunning and the kiddos LOVE it so much!
They could not wait to decorate it so tonight we got in Christmas PJs,
 blared the Christmas music and got to decorating Griswold.
The Bigs were so into decorating this year and were a hoot to listen to as they 
squealed and reminisced about each of their ornaments.
Mommy even put on a couple ornaments, though mostly just the red balls at the end :-)
Eli's real joy came from getting to put the star on top for the second year in a row . . . 
He felt like such a big helper today . . . first hanging lights outside with Daddy and then the star!
Of course, the little turkeys goofed off plenty too.
Fortunately, only one ornament broke and it was a boring red ball.  Luke was quick to help clean up!

So here is Griswold, all decorated and lovely . . . 
It's starting to grow even on me!!!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

LCS Grandparents' Day - 2013

Another FABULOUS day for Alli and her four grandparents.
{She missed Great Pop being there but understood}
This year, her class performed a skit about the first Thanksgiving, sang songs, 
recited bible verses and read stories with their grandparents.  





Alli started reading a book she had never read before and then decided it would make more sense to read her grandparents one she had practiced ~ much better choice ;-)


It was fun for all!!!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Veteran's Day

"While we are grateful to all the brave men and officers . . . we should, above all, be very grateful to Almighty God, who gives us victory."
Abraham Lincoln

 Once again, Daddy and Ducky Papa were honored, along with many other Veterans, at Alli's
Veterans' Day Chapel at school this year.
Alli LOVES having her Daddy and Papa come to Chapel with her.
It is such a special day where the students thank the Veterans and worship God.
Papa didn't have to carry the flag this year, but Daddy did!  He did a great job too!
It was really neat watching the Marine carry the flag as he was a student's great grandpa
(96 years old!) and WWII vet.
 
Lukey had a great time playing with Gramma during Chapel and eating the treats after :-)
 
It was an honor to celebrate the Veterans and thank God for His faithfulness.