Tis the Season of Christmas Programs

This year we were....ahem...fortunate enough to get to attend not one, not two, but three separate school Christmas programs!

Mason was first up on 12/9/21 with Sutton K-3rd Grade's "Our Annual Christmas Pageant". He sang all the words but was also easily distracted by the antsy little boy in front of him. It is just so difficult to sit quietly when you are a 7-year-old boy!

Next was Jentry on 12/16/21 with Sutton 7-12th Grade's "Sounds of the Season". She sang soprano in the junior high choir and played alto saxophone in the junior high band.

Finally, Tucker got his turn on 12/20/21 with Sutton Preschool's adorable performance. He was so excited to get to be on stage. Apparently he has no fear of public speaking as he stepped down from the risers in the middle of the show to ask Mrs. Mau when it would be his turn to have speaking part.  Maybe next year buddy!

Merry Christmas to all and a special blessing to all those who, like us, were fortunate enough to attend multiple Christmas programs this holiday season!

2021, 69 and 4

Sunday was a day filled with celebration honoring the birth of 3 precious baby boys. 

1. We celebrated the wonderous birth of our Savior Jesus with a children's program at church.

Mason and his preschool buddy, Levi, made the most adorable donkeys.

I was certain that their playfulness would turn naughty but they kept it together!

2. After church, we celebrated Tucker and Papa Bose with a birthday lunch at our home. 

We enjoyed Papa's request of beef and noodles over mashed potatoes. 

Jentry made a colorful fruit pizza for our fruit loving 4-year-old and my niece, Anna, made a delicious white cake with chocolate frosting for our special 69-year-old.

Jentry and Anna created some stunning, holiday nail art.

Jentry helped Tucker create a tasty treat to give to his party goers, classmates and daycare friends.

Tucker is 4!

Let's have a s'more.

May God continue to bless us and these three, precious, December, baby boys.

$M Smile

After nearly a decade of having an appliance of one kind or another in her mouth, this girl finally got the metal out! 

2012 X Bite

Before:

After:

2021

Years and years of every six week appointments.

Miles and miles back and forth to Hastings. 

Countless messages to school about absences and made up lessons.

Hours of time off work.

I have no idea how many actual dollars we have spent on this smile but I am grateful to have the means and even more so for this beautiful, confident young lady.

Parade of Lights

Our small but might community of Sutton officially rang in the holiday season with their annual Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 4th.

This was the first year in the past seven years, that I have not been responsible for making the event happen. This was also the first year that the event has been held on a Saturday instead of the traditional first Monday in December.

As we pulled into the garage at 7:00 PM, Nathan and I both looked at each other and said, "That was the smoothest, most enjoyable Parade of Lights night ever."

The weather was perfect, we hit up the events early, the kids were well behaved, the food was tasty and the parade was lit!

Appreciative

#Thankful  #Blessed  #Grateful  

#Overused

How about Appreciative?

Appreciate: verb 1. recognize the full worth of

I am not worthy of all these precious gifts but I undoubtedly recognize their worth.

BELIEVE

Every year I attempt to round the troops of my busy little tribe and capture some shots of us in a specific moment of time.

Every year I thrash through closets and drawers attempting to find the perfect attire for each individual that not only suits their personality but also mingles well with the others.

Is this one too bright? Will she refuse to wear this? Oh, this is not him at all. This shirt makes me look awful! These colors don't look like winter. A fall theme just will not work with a Christmas card. What do you mean your dress shoes don't fit anymore? The photographer charges how much? Oh you only have this day available? Oh it is freezing, gusting and now snowing. Fantastic! 

I'm fine...everything fine!

Ugh! It is all TOO much. Is it even worth it?

Then after months of planning and fretting, it all somehow manages to happen. The day arrives. Each person wears their assigned costume. We all act normal and strangely even delightful. 

And then, by some miracle, the photographer captures a perfect smiling family. 

YES! It is absolutely worth it!

Perhaps you simple need to BELIEVE.

Photo Credit to the Magician: Megan O'Hare Photography