Happy Birthday...to me!

Yes, I survived a major birthday this year...the big 4-0! My family made my day special. It was busy with soccer, field trips, and school, but still lots of fun. I feel very blessed and loved!

The "birthday table" in the morning

The kids made a special sign for me.

Scott and I drove out to Oak Glen to meet up with Kam's class and have lunch.

My humongous birthday pie that we had on Sunday with In't Houts. (This pie looks a little sketchy, but it is from Oak Glen and one of the best I've ever tasted!)

Scott go creative with the candles-"39 plus 1". Nice!

Christmas Tree-2010

So, for different reasons it took us a while longer to get our Christmas tree up this year. The main issue was finding a time where we would all be home. Well, Tuesday night was the night. We double checked the calendar and were amazed to find it clear! After dinner, we loaded up the minivan and headed out to our local big-box home center store to find the perfect tree. We were blessed to find a great one quickly and for a great deal! Our kids have become quite the traditionalists (no idea where they get that from!) and so they are very relieved to have a REAL tree in the house and decorated.

The crew. Love being able to hunt for a tree in shorts!

Troy was a great helper again this year.

Kam helped too.

The finished product.

First Concert of the Season

Tonight we participated in the Christmas party at the "Village" here in Redlands. Scott sang in a men's group and Kamryn and Troy were part of the children's choir from church. It was a nice start to the Christmas concert season. Everyone did a great job!

Scott and the guys singing beforehand in the courtyard.

Their performance for the residents.

The kids' choir.

Kamryn saying her part: "He wanted to have a relationship with us so much that he reached down to us and was born on earth in a manger."

Troy said: "Who wouldn't want to make room for Jesus?"

Everyone was treated to olie bollen afterward. You gotta love it!

The Unexpected Guest

Katie has enjoyed being a part of the drama programs during her time in high school. She was blessed with making the play again here at her new school. Last night we were able to attend the second performance of the murder mystery, "The Unexpected Guest", put on by ACA. This was a very different experience than we were used to in GR, but it was a nice intimate setting. The audience sits VERY close to the actors and you really feel like you are a part of the play. The kids all did so well. They have some really talented performers. Katie plays nurse, Angel, and we get to see her evil side. It was fun to see so many friends from church who came out to support her and enjoy an evening out. Troy even made it through to the end which was about 10pm!

Before the play began.

The actors walking off the set.

Proud siblings

Katie's friends, Libby and Erin.

Bowling-A Day Late

The kids were a little disappointed that we could not keep up our tradition of bowling on Thanksgiving. (The bowling alley in Redlands was not open yesterday.) So, we asked our friends, The Wiers, if they wanted to go bowling today. They were up for the challenge and we had a great time playing a couple of games this afternoon.

They're glowing because of the neon lights behind them.

Katie and Josie.

The group.

Thanksgiving 2010

Although we missed being with family this year, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We enjoyed a great service at our church with lots of neat music and kids' involvement. (Katie did a reading with three other high-schoolers and Troy was part of a recitation of what they were thankful for. He was the letter I-ice cream, igloos, and iguanas!) We were very blessed to be invited to share the Thanksgiving meal at some friends' from church who just moved into a beautiful home. It was extra neat that we were able to spend time with some Visalia friends (The Westras) who were also here visiting family.

The Westra bus parked in front of our house.

Richard and Scott "manning" the deep fryer.

Scott lowering the bird.

Richard carving up the turkey. (It was one of Scott's best!)

Scott and Donna

A group of us in the kitchen.

The kids entertaining themselves with a puzzle.

The view out their front yard.

Thankfulness

In preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday we celebrate tomorrow, I thought I would document some of the things we are thankful for. A biggie this year is the fact that Scott is now back in full-time ministry and loving his role as lead pastor of a wonderful church. We are thankful to be done with Seminary. We are thankful for smooth adjustments for our family after a big move. We are thankful for sunshine in November. I was even thankful that I had to mow the lawn the other day (and that it wasn't covered with white, cold stuff!) . We're thankful for new friendships. We're thankful for cars that still work even with many, many miles on them. We're thankful for friendly neighbors. We're thankful for soccer teams. We're thankful for great Christian schools to be a part of. We're thankful for a wonderful staff at church that likes to have fun and support each other. We're thankful for a family from church who is including us in their Thanksgiving celebration (and even letting Scott deep-fry the turkey). We're thankful for a loving God who is always with us. We're thankful for many family and friends. We're thankful for a safe journey to Israel this fall. We're thankful to be done with Seminary. (Oops, I think I already mentioned that!) Anyway, Scott and I are very thankful for the relationship that God has blessed us with and that we have some pretty awesome kids! We are thankful for...

Katelyn Joy~

and the way she works hard in school, performs on the stage with dramatic flair, makes friends easily, tears up the soccer field, has improved in her driving ability, shows her love for God through her singing and worship, and does it all with a smile.

Kamryn Elise~

and the way she works for justice, asks the tough questions, likes a good laugh, loves a good book (or two at the same time), reminds me that she's "in that awkward stage", is a good friend to others in her class even though she is "the new kid", still asks me to do her hair in the mornings.

Troy William~

and the way he is "all boy", has to read his minutes at night "because the teacher said so", keeps his card from "getting changed" at school, plays hard at recess and always comes home with grass stains, still likes to cuddle with his mom or dad, tries to take advantage of being "the baby", makes friends easily, and sings his heart out with the praise songs at church.

Thank you God!