From our home to yours

Merry Christmas guys!!!

Emma

What is it about a 3 year old that is so precious? Today at supper she ate her corn on the cob and commented "licious" then added "this corn is 'licious" and "yummy!!" OH, if today could just be frozen in time. She is now on her tenth time around the house, through the front door and in the back door. Happy to be coming and going, saying hi as she goes. I was so proud of her during the Cantata she just sat happily and contented with my friend Gina, and only once thought she should go be with mommy. By the way, my choir did a great job, it was such fun to put it all together. I was a bit worried for them as it was pretty hot and it is a long time to sing with taking a water break, but they pulled it off. Scott's duet with one of our students was great, I could have listened to him all day.

Emma is been playing a lot with Laney's toy houses and people, they are the fisher price family ones that are quiet small. She is really starting to have her characters interact, I love hearing her play it reminds me so of Laney who always had quite the story happening. Christmas is getting close and I can't wait to see her open her presents. She opened a couple one day when Scott and I were at Choir practice and Jonathan was "watching" her. But since then she has joined the other two to just look at the few gifts under our tree and wonder what is in them. I am so thankful for those who mailed us gifts as the things we bought the kids will come with Charis, but thanks to my mom, Marcy, and a church in Maine there are presents under the tree for everyone, and I did hear that Santa was stopping by...

Here are the other pictures that we took of our family that I didn't send in the Christmas card, look at Emma she is smiling for the camera!!! Now that was nice (note, she usually points at the camera and says " no cheese!")

Birthday weekend

I had a fun Birthday weekend Friday I went to Goiania with Scott and my friend Ang and her husband. We went to walmart and Sam's club then on to our favorite restaurant. It was very nice to just take 2 hours eating and talking and laughing. Without a doubt you leave quite satisfied.
Saturday was a nice day, we had a practice in the morning for our Cantata, and the rest of the day I just kept busy at home. It is amazing how much time I can spend just cooking and cleaning. My sister called with a surprise announcement. She got married. She sent a picture today and I am so happy for her. She is beautiful of course!!!

Then Sunday, the day, I enjoyed my morning, breakfast in bed, and then played for the church service here. My friend Gina had has come for lunch and she made a fabulous pork roast, and mulberry pie. That was so nice, we hung around and played password, ouch, my brain hurt after that, so I went home and tried not to pace until Sunday night church.

Sunday night our choir went to the church downtown and participated in the Christmas service. We presented three of our songs from the Cantata, and they did great. It was my first time directing, but I really enjoyed it. And so glad my "first" is over. Now we just have to pull together our last few pieces that need some work tonight, and the whole thing is on for Thursday night.

They were great!!!

Here are all the campers at the beginning of the show
They sang lots of songs, some about scary stories, some about camping, and others about favorite Bible stories

Laney ended the story singing how Angles watch over us It was fun just seeing all the pieces come together after months of practice.

The show went off without a hitch, at least, no major mistakes, and the crowd loved it. I don't know why we are so surprised when they laugh at the funny parts, but we were. Thanks to Karla and Scott and the mom who brought snacks. Karla was my right hand turning on and off lights, getting the kids changed from one costume to the next and opening and closing curtains. Scott helped with a lot of the final details like lights, mics and sounds. And of course, made sure we got a good video recording so that the all our favorite moments can be replayed again and again. The principal was the main character, Headmaster Don, who was only the camp leader cause he wanted it to look good on his resume (he doesn't really like kids) and that added extra meaning to the funny parts!!!!

Emma and Tigey