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1. Let the Festivities Begin!<\/span>\u00a0 And so begins the most festive month of the year!\u00a0 With a flip of the first card on our Advent Tree, the boys delve into their flannel snowy sheets, or at least Muma puts them on the beds.\u00a0 This year, Alex, Aidan, & Papa will spend this first December weekend up at our favorite Camp for the Father\/Son Retreat, and Lucas and Muma will spend some special time at home.\u00a0 (Lukie slept in Muma’s bed)\u00a0 The boys know the first card is\u00a0always<\/em> “Snowman Sheets” but\u00a0 why not?\u00a0 We’ve had a balmy fall so far, but they say the snow is just around the corner, and this house of boys is ready and waiting!\u00a0 We’ve got beautiful white lights on the house, and the trees and Christmas decorations have been up since Thanksgiving Sunday but that just leaves more time for soaking the simple joys of the season.\u00a0 Let the fun begin!<\/p>\n 2. Muma and Lukie Time<\/span>\u00a0 Family at Father\/Son Retreat | Quiet Sabbath | Reading Stories | Watching Read & Grow Jesus Story | Neighborhood Walk | Favorite “Blind Man” Worship- leading each other around the house with a blindfold, some tasters.\u00a0 Tricker than usual in a still-new house! Learning to Trust Jesus when we feel scared, following Him wherever He leads, learning to need Jesus to help change our hearts (open our eyes!)\u00a0 We did this several times | Smoothie and Toast supper; making popsicles with leftover smoothie.\u00a0 “In Winter!!!??!…”\u00a0 | Our card today: Play a Family Game.\u00a0 Not Rudolph Memory or Candy Land but…\u00a0 Return of the Bup-Bumm game!\u00a0 Oh the happy Lucas! Being the pizza delivered to the BupBumm’s cave- with RASPBERRIES on top!\u00a0 He has so much fun, but gets so into it- maybe actually a little scared | Quick Jaunt out to Target fun being in the holiday festivities |\u00a0 Jennifer Arrives!\u00a0 Chatting with a sleeping Lucas on the couch.<\/p>\n 3. A Sparkling Return<\/span>\u00a0 Adventurers followed by a twinkle-light stop and Birthday-bin fill-up with the Lucas man topped off our morning.\u00a0 With a honkity honk honk the boys returned in the afternoon from “Man Camp” and gave big and happy hugs to the waiting Lucas and Muma.\u00a0 Today’s card: One Early Present<\/em> intrigued boys to their utmost delight, until clothes!!! grrrr… (matching jammies and socks) tamped down their enthusiasm at least until a little later.\u00a0 But a sweet evening ensued with Lucas and Aidan playing happily together again; cars, Lego, Duplo, and when bribed, the dirt pile in the sideyard.\u00a0 Alex and Papa put up the rainbow lights along the house,\u00a0 (Alex was allowed up on the ladder, much to his delight) and fished extension cords through the muddy pipe under the driveway to make way for Muma’s new twinkle ball tree.\u00a0 Wrapped in green lights with Alex climbing high to place the Purple (pink), red, green, and blue twinkle balls the happy family tree has a good friendly start but it’s lacking a golden ball for our yellow guy.\u00a0 Muma ran errands for the hard workers, and enjoyed Christmas Light company in the near balmy (50’s) December air.\u00a0 After sunset, Jennifer returned home from her meeting to a happy spaghetti family dinner and later a Treehouse Masters with three clean-bathed boys snuggled now-happily in their Christmas jammies. They ended the evening with a slumber party in their snowman flannel sheets in the 2-boys room, playing stuffies and giggling (with some help from Papa) until nearly 10pm.\u00a0 After some nice grown-up chatting it was time for a tuck in of our own.\u00a0 So happy to have our family back together.\u00a0 So happy for Christmas Merries!<\/p>\n 4. A Favorite Cookie Tradition<\/span>\u00a0 It was a special evening for a favorite tradition.\u00a0 Nana brought the big boys home from school and we jumped right into making cookie dough for the night’s big event.\u00a0 After a favorite family supper (Lucas and Muma made loaf during today’s 10 o’clock ‘kitchen time’),we had a bit of time for some violin practice with some Christmas Songs- Jingle Bells, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, O Come Little Children, May Song, and the ever-agonizing Rudolph.\u00a0 Alex delighted in showing Nana his winter village he’s set up on his bookcase and bed-shelf in his room.\u00a0 A collection of Lego and other treasures through the year, his love for his winter village began with Nana’s Santa Village at her house, so he’s always happy to show her his improvements and rearrangements.\u00a0 After the chores, the boys were eager to pick their favorite cookie cutters and jump right into the rolling.\u00a0 Being the first year in or new house, we had to figure out all the logistics but ended up punching out the cookies on the breakfast counter so all the boys could be the right height.\u00a0 Alex took charge right away, an old pro at this now after 10 years, he jumped right into the rolling and giving instructions, transferring them onto their cookie sheets with his spatula or fingers.\u00a0 Lucas was most excited about his puppy and big red snowman cutter Muma had to keep flouring for him.\u00a0 Aidan was happiest with his big Michigan cookie cutter, and Alex just wanted to get as many on as fast as he could.\u00a0 Nana got to watch more than usual this year with the young ‘uns taking charge, but still had helpful tips and kept everything running smoothly.\u00a0 Of course there\u00a0 were lots of smiles with festive Christmas music and a little Silk Egg Nog for Nana and Alex.\u00a0 We wrapped up the evening with boys in their matching jammies (Alex had worn his new favorite socks all day) and worship in the Living Room.\u00a0 With cookies now made and ready to decorate, I think it’s pretty safe to say the season has officially begun!<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0 Hot Cocoa Bar!<\/span>\u00a0 Tuesday is our crazy day of the week.\u00a0 We don’t usually get home from the day until nearly 10pm.\u00a0 Today Muma spent the afternoon running errands and Christmas (and Birthday) Shopping!\u00a0 What fun treasures were found!\u00a0 But the three boys were excited for their ‘Holiday snack’ when they arrived home.\u00a0 We had Hot Cocoa with Marshmallow snowmen you could make with a cute little head and then one or two ‘shmallows’ for their body, and pretzels for arms and legs.\u00a0 Lukie opted for one marshmallow, because everything he makes he likes to be the cutest, littlest one.\u00a0 Aidan put cute sprinkle buttons on his that Papa tried to copy.\u00a0 Alex had his floating in a foamy hot-tub (with whipped cream).\u00a0 Muma added a bath-bomb (red sprinkles) to her snowman in the hot-tub.\u00a0 Papa liked the bubble bath idea so he added whipped cream even though he doesn’t even like it.\u00a0 They were super yummy and so cute- at least until the melting began.\u00a0 Of course there were lots of pictures to take, and at the end lots of teeth to super-scrub.\u00a0 Being so late, we wrapped up a short worship talking about things we appreciated about others from the day- sometimes a mind-stretcher for boys to notice all the kind things done for them (or others) throughout the day.\u00a0 One thing Muma appreciated was the hard work Papa’s been doing moving field stones to the retaining wall, even in today’s blustery wind.\u00a0 And seeing as we all overslept today and are all pretty tired, another thing we’ll appreciate sooner rather than later is our soft pillows and warm comforter… Now on to wrapping a gift or two before bed…<\/p>\n 6. A New Garland<\/span>\u00a0 Working with Lucas on the Christmas Puzzle | Teaching Lucas how to knit | Christmas Shopping with Lucas & Papa | Picking up brothers from School – haircuts & Cinnamon Crumb Cake treat at Starbucks | Our Christmas Cards arrived in the mail!\u00a0 Addressing the first one!\u00a0 | Finishing the Puzzle with three boys together | chores & Christmas song violin practice | Watching a Christmas Light Fight while Muma makes supper | Making our new Christmas Garland (Years ago Alex and Muma (with a little help from Aidan) made the first of these tree and mitten garlands, and it’s been hung in the boys’ room every Christmas.\u00a0 But this year we thought we’d make a second, created by\u00a0three<\/em> kiddos for the other boy’s room. It turned out really sweet) | Boys decorating their Duplo houses with a variety of ‘Christmas Lights’ (duplo blocks light bricks, whatever they can imagine) to be judged by Muma’s bear Sam\u00e3<\/span>o on Friday | Papa’s home just in time for worship | Aidan’s cuddle & massage night & chatting about the day.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0 Nana’s House Deco\u00a0<\/span> Today was the first day of real snow!\u00a0 Though it didn’t stick, it sure made for slow roads!\u00a0 But on Thursdays, Muma teaches French and spends the day at the school.\u00a0 Even though it doesn’t look like it, a lot was acomplished today in terms of moving books around and sorting them to their correct categories.\u00a0 Perhaps part was due to the fact that Lucas stayed home with Papa and Muma had less distractions.\u00a0 In French we reviewed some holiday vocabulary, sang Vive le Vent<\/em> and watched a short video about Christmas with a French Family<\/a>.\u00a0 The kids seemed to like our lesson today quite a bit.\u00a0 Alex says he really likes when Muma is at the school all day.\u00a0 Lucas and Papa came to the school just in time for lunch.\u00a0 Lukie loves being with the other students- especially at lunch and recess time, but we also come in for worship with the Pastor most mornings and participate in any other less intense learning times.\u00a0 Sometimes Muma works with the first graders on spelling or reading and Lucas can join in there as well.\u00a0 Today we also worked on yearbook in the afternoon, so Muma took shifts of grades and taught them about creating a spread and had them do a spread each and write a story.\u00a0 After school we took the boys over to Nana’s for an evening of Christmas decorating and sleepover at her house.\u00a0 It’s always a special event and Muma got to faceTime to join in the fun for a little bit.\u00a0 They put up the cr\u00e8<\/span>che<\/em> (one of our French vocab words), mini tree and little stockings underneath it.\u00a0 Of course they set up the winter village too (still one of Alexander’s favorites) and other little decorations here and there.\u00a0 Muma made a quick stop to pick up a bonus gift we found for Aidan from FacebookMarketplace (more on that another time— so excited!), and after a snowy drive home, enjoyed an evening of supper with Papa, playing with Aidan’s new toy and wrapping a few gifts while Papa read a book (The Miracle of the Seventh-Day Ox<\/a><\/em>)\u00a0 Papa doesn’t particularly like to wrap, but I enjoy his company and we can read something together.\u00a0 Not too late of a night tonight!\u00a0 A reasonable bedtime tonight is good news because there’s a big weekend ahead :)!<\/p>\n 8. First Fire<\/span>\u00a0 A very busy day\u00a0 |\u00a0 an excellent violin lesson with a happy heart and improvements on those Christmas songs \u00a0 |\u00a0 furnace company quotes\u00a0 |\u00a0 a Meijer not-so-quick trip\u00a0 |\u00a0 welcoming Sabbath with our traditional pancake supper\u00a0 |\u00a0 building our first fire in our fireplace\u00a0 |\u00a0 Reading the Christmas Story by the fire\u00a0 | Alexander’s Christmas program with special music “O Come Little Children” by Aidan and his violin, Muma tried to play her ukelele during song service\u00a0 |\u00a0 Sabbath bath time\u00a0 |\u00a0\u00a0 Reading our Seventh-Day- Ox together with David\u00a0 |\u00a0 David preps for Sabbath School\u00a0 | Sweet Sabbath rest before the busy weekend.<\/p>\n 9.\u00a0 Cookie Decorating!\u00a0<\/span> And here comes the snow!\u00a0 A beautiful Sabbath where the snow is falling (and sticking!) and the roads are beginning to slow.\u00a0 But not so much that after church, we were invited to one of our A2 friends’ homes for some practice and recording of Daniel Chapter 6 for the Pathfinder Bible Experience.\u00a0 What fun we had to join families and dramatically read parts for a memory tool that the little ones can use to help them remember the chapters for the competitions in 2018.\u00a0 This sweet family is such a blessing and inspiration to ours, and the whole idea of reading and recording parts just makes Alexander so very happy.\u00a0 Aidan and Lucas were willing to say verse numbers but nervous (unwilling) to do much more.\u00a0 But they still loved being part of the crew.\u00a0 Even Papa got in on the action.\u00a0 Lots of smiles and laughter and lovely fellowship this sweet Sabbath Afternoon.\u00a0 This evening was the great cookie decorating event, though a bit more subdued this year.\u00a0 Aunt Nancy decided to postpone her drive from Chicago due to the weather, and Nana wasn’t too keen on making the trip, but Kamran and his crew came to join in the fun and they decorated some very festive and sprinkley cookies this year!\u00a0 It was our first year without Nana, and we certainly didn’t have as many to do, but of course Muma has that lovely cookie talent, and Papa did a few, ate any that didn’t turn out, and made a cute squinty-eyed snowman to flirt with Muma’s purple-scarved one.\u00a0 A bit later after good-bye’s and it was clean-up time, (though Muma stayed to do a few more), Papa took the boys out for our first sledding outing of the new house.\u00a0 In the dark and cold, and not-much-snow, the whoops and hollers of their backyard adventure could be well heard in the house.\u00a0 Of course, the longer they rode, the faster the trails grew, and tales were told of sledding into the woods, and even Lukie hitting a tree when he didn’t ‘bail!’ on Papa’s command.\u00a0 At nearly ten, four soggy boys came back into the house for hot cocoa, exciting tales to tell, and eventually toothbrushes and bed.\u00a0 Muma and Papa enjoyed some quiet time to decorate cookies with lovely music before a bit o’ shoveling, more clean-up and computer work to round out the evening.\u00a0 There are seemingly endless things to be done, and tomorrow promises to bring another happy holiday event!<\/p>\n 10.\u00a0 Schaper Christmas.<\/span>\u00a0 Nancy made it in from Chicago today, and after weeks of pulling everything together, our Schaper Christmas Gathering day arrived.\u00a0 It was nice that Bill and Carol arrived early, and we got a little chance to chat and visit before all the commotion of the festivities began.\u00a0 Alison, Ben and little M. were the next to make it.\u00a0 Little M pretty shy and unsure at first, but eager and playful with the boys in no time at all.\u00a0 Nana and Nancy brought the casseroles, sprinkles, appetizer veggies (everyone was hungry and thankful for those!), and super yummy pumpkin walnut cake and it wasn’t long before a traditional Schaper feast ensued with Hamburg Noodle Bake (vegetarian to some’s dismay), green beans with mushrooms, Cesar Salad, Bread and<\/em> the Winkler Twist and Aidan-request of Pepperidge K loaf.\u00a0 It was yummies all around with a full table and happy hearts.\u00a0 Later we did a white elephant exchange.\u00a0 Alexander ended up with Papa’s gift of crazy elf slippers.\u00a0 It was quite all the commotion as we-thinks he really liked them but was a bit embarrassed by them, in the end Papa ended up snagging them to wear to a work meeting, and Alex ended up with a Peanuts Christmas Tree, which he later traded with Nancy (the Peanuts lover who doesn’t have a Christmas Tree) for a cozy blanket.\u00a0 But most people ended up with things they liked or could use— more or less.\u00a0 We all exchanged gifts with Nancy, who gave the boys some especially sweet gifts they loved including the puzzle cube that continues to keep the boys busy and they even brought in the car the next day!\u00a0 After sweet desserts of Apple Pie (thanks again Costco!) a la mode, Pumpkin cake, and of course Christmas Cookies, there was more time to visit and play and chatter before the Chelsea crew had to depart.\u00a0 Nancy stayed later for a fireplace fire, and tuckered out boys to tuck in.\u00a0 They have been amazing today- helping Muma all morning in all the preparations and cleaning, as well as sweet hosts through the evening.\u00a0 What a good day!\u00a0 Thank you everyone for making the trek and the priority for some holiday family fellowship.\u00a0 And the fun gifts were a treat too.\u00a0 Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!<\/p>\n 11.\u00a0 More Snow!<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Oh how the boys are super excited for the snow– especially Lucas, he knows his birthday is coming!\u00a0 In fact, today we sent out his birthday invitations,ordered some supplies for his party, and did some brainstorming about his special day.\u00a0 But today was in fact a pretty heavy work day for Muma.\u00a0 Dishes galore from last night’s event, laundry from hampers and a naughty kitty.\u00a0 Planning for the week, and party preparations for next weekend filled up most of the day.\u00a0 Papa came home though and ran his tractor out in the snow and got the driveway plowed.\u00a0 He was also able to drive us in the bad roads to pick up the boys from school, enjoy a very un-merry visit to the dentist, and then round two of a nice leftover meal with Nana and Aunt Nancy at her house.\u00a0 Since Nana got a super-cool card shuffler from Aunt Nancy for Christmas, we couldn’t leave however, without a hand of UNO.\u00a0 The boys told stories of their day at school celebrating a friend’s birthday with pizza and a pinata, and making salt-dough ornaments for their classrooom tree.\u00a0 What fun!\u00a0 14 more days to go!<\/p>\n 12. Violin Rehearsal.<\/span><\/p>\n 13.<\/p>\n 14. Snow Day!<\/span>\u00a0 What a day!\u00a0 No school for the boys today, so we got lots of shoveling and plowing done with Papa’s tractor.\u00a0 We strung twinkle lights on the sledding hill and the boys took some turns, but the snow was too big!\u00a0 So they mostly worked on ‘insulating’ the little pallet shack we built earlier in the week.\u00a0 Wrapped a few presents and finished a couple last Christmas shopping gifts!\u00a0 Two huge packages arrived in the later evening, so we waited until Papa arrived home to open them and put wrapped treasures from Minnesota under (or beside!) the color tree :).\u00a0 Muma got about half her cards ready to mail and boys also watched a Christmas Light Fight and we made cupcakes for Lukies party on Sunday.\u00a0 Then wound down the evening with a kids’ Bible Study conference call with Pathfinders and a touch of Lego fun.\u00a0 Sounds like a pretty good snow day to me.\u00a0 Did I mention we were in our jammies until nearly noon?\u00a0 Yup- hooray for snow days!<\/p>\n 15.\u00a0 Rehearsal<\/span>.\u00a0 Only a half day of school today, but just enough time for some cookie-making, and some rehearsing for their program tomorrow in church.\u00a0 We also made a Meijer trip for Lukie’s party supplies, and weekend potlucks (yes, that’s TWO potlucks this weekend!)\u00a0 Made it home through the snowy drive just in time for boys to have a few minutes to relax, and then finish frosting Lukie’s bear paw cupcakes for Sunday.\u00a0 Boys always enjoy a long Sabbath bath, pancake dinner, and\u00a0 a very special worship this evening.\u00a0 We’re reading through the Christmas Story in Luke and taking it piece by piece, but jumped ahead a little bit this evening to ‘act out the Christmas Story as a family.’\u00a0 This time Lukie got to be the sheep and Papa didn’t have to be the donkey\/sheep\/camel (he’s always the rideable animal) because he got to be Joseph.\u00a0 It’s fun to see the boys become more mature in their acting out as they get older– using real scripture for their lines instead of squeaky voices (that’s still Lukie), but they still enjoy scavenging costumes, props, and kings’ gifts around the house.\u00a0 It’s always a fun part of the holidays and brings us back to the real reason for Christmas. (sorry picture hasn’t been updated- some glitches here with wordpress– will work on it maybe after the weekend! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n 16.\u00a0 School & Church Christmas Program.<\/span>\u00a0 What a day!\u00a0 Sabbath School was first and Muma joined Lucas with for a special Kindergarten Sabbath School about Angels and the Christmas story.\u00a0 Then, for the church service, a beautiful combination of musical arrangements, school performances, and sermonette by Pastor Choi.\u00a0 All of the students did so very well!\u00a0 They had a skit where L was the mother for the kids, who each kept coming by to ask her to join them in one or another of their service projects- but she was too busy with coordinating the season.\u00a0 Then 4 Christmas angels, Love, Joy, Peace, & Faith remind her the true meaning of Christmas.\u00a0\u00a0 It was humorous and still had a wonderful message.\u00a0 There was a lot of interaction with the congregation laughing and connecting with the themes.\u00a0 Even little J who is usually very shy did a great job with his many lines.\u00a0 Aidan had a small part “Hi Mom,” which he managed to pull off, and Alex did great with all of his part talking to “mom” as well.\u00a0\u00a0 Mrs. Canada also led the students in three lovely songs, my favorite- Celebrate the Season.\u00a0 Lots of enthusiasm, and great direction by this fantastic mom, friend, and former Zork student.\u00a0 We didn’t want to drive back and forth to home, so we had planned to hang out at Nana’s but ended up just staying at the school and visiting with friends.\u00a0 The boys got involved practicing their PBE skills, and it was such a blessing to see them so enthusiastic about delving into God’s Word.\u00a0 Aidan and Lucas even were in the mix for most of it.\u00a0 (A2 getting frustrated when grown-ups are around and not being able to write his answers fast enough in the time given).\u00a0 But it was a really nice Sabbath afternoon, when we weren’t exactly how things would end up.\u00a0 Finally it was time to be off to Aidan’s Nutcracker recital.\u00a0 He was nervous, but we had 3 other Adventurer friends playing as well, and when he was in the mix and Muma left him alone, he did just fine chatting with friends and comrades.\u00a0 He played all the simple songs, as well as Jingle Bells, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Lightly Row, and French Folk Song.\u00a0 He bowed out of Allegro because he just doesn’t have the tempo- but it was a little bummer because he missed O Come Little Children, and another that he did know well.\u00a0 But he was happy to just play the songs he’d mastered, and I know that each year, he’ll be comfortable playing more and more.\u00a0 We wrapped up the evening with dinner out with Grammy & Grampapa, then home for the party preparations, and Lukie’s sponsored\u00a0 card of hosting a Christmas movie.\u00a0 He served little snacks while they watched Charlie Brown’s Christmas Medley before bed and getting to sleep in each other’s beds.\u00a0 Muma and Papa burned the midnight oil creating an amazing cake, baking 2 loafs for tomorrow, and decorating for the Woodland Birthday party tomorrow afternoon.\u00a0 Adventurer mornings come way too soon, when you go to bed after 3am!<\/p>\n 17.\u00a0 Woodland Palooza<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Happy Birthday Lucas!\u00a0 Today was a special day with Adventurers in the morning with a focus on families and family traditions, and in the afternoon a grand celebration for our littlest soon to be six!\u00a0 For more details, you can read all about them here, but it was a crazy and fun day for our special little Lukie.\u00a0 With friends and family to play with, yummy and creative food, warm-weather sledding by the twinkle lights, and gifts to make Lukie’s heart sing, three boys went to bed with happy sleepy smiles, but still asking, “How many days until Christmas?”<\/p>\n 18.\u00a0 Welcome Chewey!<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Last Christmas Lunch for boys\u00a0 | \u00a0 Mama’s Holiday Hair Appointment\u00a0 |\u00a0 Finished the Christmas shopping with Lucas\u00a0 |\u00a0 Browsing at PetCo and getting first hamster supplies\u00a0 |\u00a0 Hot Cocoas to pick up the boys from School\u00a0 | Shopping for Lukie’s New Hamster\u00a0 |\u00a0 Phone calls to the grandparents about Chewey\u00a0 |\u00a0 The joys of the hamster set-up\u00a0 |\u00a0 Lots of weekend and party leftovers for supper\u00a0 |\u00a0 Watching a Great Christmas Light Fight together\u00a0 |\u00a0 Worship & a little more Chewey play time\u00a0 |\u00a0 After boys in bed- wrapping gifts together\u00a0 |\u00a0 Planning TPC!!!<\/p>\n 19. Happy Birthday Lucas!<\/span>\u00a0 Today was a Muma and Lucas Day!\u00a0 He opened the last of his little gifts in the morning after breakfast and then it was off to drop the boys off at school.\u00a0 The brothers at school visited Woolf Aircraft to present their Christmas Program.\u00a0 Though I asked Lucas if he wanted to go, he preferred some Muma time.\u00a0 We had a grand day together.\u00a0 Made a post office stop to mail a few Christmas cards, then a toy store stop (it was his birthday after all) on the way home.\u00a0 Upon arrival at home we played some Paw Patrol together (Christmas of course!), watched a movie (a real treat for Lucas), made lunch together, played some tickles and bup-bum upon request, and played with his birthday floof<\/a> making really funny little snowmen.\u00a0 Muma made the typical little snowmen but Lucas had a funny flair to his– sometimes half-melted, or quirky with a tip of the head, tiny with long arms, or upside-down in a handstand.\u00a0 With a laugh and smirky little smile on his face he’d show me each of his creations- I tried to mimic some of his silly designs, but he just had his own cute way of doing it.\u00a0 Before long it was time to pick up the brothers from school and begin the Tuesday evening craziness.\u00a0 This week, I allowed Aidan to miss his violin group, so we had a little extra time to get a couple presents for Papa (shh don’t tell), then ran errands for the boys to get secret gifts for their friends at school during the others’ gymnastics class.\u00a0 It was certainly a scurry-about evening!\u00a0 But it’s also a little fun in the festiveness of the season.\u00a0 Upon our typically late arrival at home, we wrapped the boys’ secret and class friends’ gifts, and wrote cards for a church friend we hadn’t seen in a while while waiting for Papa to come home to celebrate with Lucas one last time.\u00a0 It was one last hurrah of a song and candle blow-out for our little guy with a pinch of cake and ice cream before bed.\u00a0 Yes, this was not a very wise and healthy decision- but tomorrow is the boys’ last day of school and today was a special birthday.\u00a0 (Excuses excuses…)\u00a0 Happy Birthday, sweet Lukie!\u00a0 We love you so very much!<\/p>\n 20.\u00a0 Class Christmas Party<\/span>\u00a0 Oh these crazy boys.\u00a0 Alex has had his outfit for the day laid aside for nearly a week; new Christmas pajamas, glowing Christmas Light necklace, reindeer antlers or elf hat, reindeer socks, and for Alex- the crazy elf slippers from Schaper Christmas.\u00a0 They had such fun passing out their secret gifts and gifts to their classmates, playing games and decorating graham cracker houses with Mrs. V..\u00a0 Mrs. H. also made some beautiful custom pencil holders for each child with their name on them- with fabric from the kids’ favorite things.\u00a0 Such a thoughtful gift.\u00a0 The crew were all in great spirits and came home with armfulls of treasures and cheery ‘see you next year!’s to their classmates.\u00a0 These are some of the best childhood school memories.\u00a0 :).\u00a0 To celebrate the last day of the year, we also stopped for lunch at Crepes and Games.\u00a0 The boys have been wanting to go for quite a while, so it was a treat to eat something yummy and play some new games.\u00a0 We tried Hungry Hungry Hippos, Mouse Trap and Don’t Spill the Beans.\u00a0 Papa introduced the crew to Operation, and Lukie had fun with an Angry Birds one.\u00a0 Alex and Papa and Muma really liked one called Concept,<\/a> even Aidan joined in for a little bit.\u00a0 Then Aidan and Lukie discovered one where you can build fun mazes for for the marble to go through with Maze Racers<\/a>.\u00a0 Lucas liked making traps for the marble, where if you landed in that pocket, he would shut the passage way with a mischevious giggle. \u00a0 The rest of the evening?\u00a0 A treehouse Masters, a late supper, some gift wrapping, last Christmas cards to write, (laundry), and a few chores and bit o’ playtime.\u00a0 Whew!\u00a0 So happy we get to sleep in tomorrow…\u00a0 maybe… \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n 21.\u00a0 Parties for Hosting<\/span>\u00a0 A first day home for the boys, there was much to do but also plenty of quiet time for good egg-sandwich breakfasts, wrapping of Papa’s gifts, and starting some serious house cleaning and floor mopping (a couple hour-long process) for the holiday weekend.\u00a0 Papa also took the boys to a private gymnastics lesson (always a favorite) before friends came over in the evening.\u00a0 We hadn’t seen David’s good friends from his youth\u00a0 in a few years and it was a\u00a0 bessing to visit and share new experiences, and get advice about repairs and projects.\u00a0 Aidan and Tate were happy to share in Lego delights and common interests like Titanic and a hundred other things eight-year-olds have in common.\u00a0 Big kids (and Lukie) chased around with swords and nerf and giggles.\u00a0 A very late night for little boys, but a sweet evening especially for Papa and his buddy reunion.\u00a0 Boys counting down Christmas- just two more days for us! 22.\u00a0 Getting Ready for a White Christmas<\/span>\u00a0 A busy Friday as usual, but Papa’s first day home for Christmas vacation.\u00a0 Worked on fixing the tractor belt to be able to snowblow the upcoming threats so he can get up our driveway! :O\u00a0 Also took the boys for a ride (and even let Alex drive) the tractor up to get the mail.\u00a0 With the warm temps, it seems our white covering will be more of a brown smushy Christmas.\u00a0 But you never can tell…\u00a0 Lots of housecleaning and finishing Christmas cards to take to Church on Sabbath.\u00a0 Happy for a very special snowman pancake supper with marshmallows for snow, stripple scarves, raisin smiles, and m&m buttons.\u00a0 Always one of our Christmas tree cards the boys enjoy. Of course warm soaking Sabbath baths, followed by a special Sabbath Christmas worship.\u00a0 All is calm… 23. Quiet Christmas Sabbath<\/span>\u00a0 A lovely Christmas Sabbath, but a very sick little Lukie.\u00a0 He fell asleep on the pew in church with a moderate fever, and since there were not other children, Aidan moved up to the big kids’ class and Muma took little Lukie home to rest on the couch.\u00a0 He was awake by the time we arrived home, and eager to do a little Sabbath School of our own, so we did our little class for him right on the couch.\u00a0 We even pulled out the felts.\u00a0 He really likes Sabbath School, but didn’t feel too much in the mood to do the craft, so Muma did most of the work on our little nativity silhouette.\u00a0 We had a bit of warm soup for lunch before Papa and the boys returned from Potluck.\u00a0 We’d planned to do some family outreach but with Lukie under the weather Papa went alone for a quiet afternoon with Muma and the boys at home.\u00a0 When he returned for the shortest Sabbath (daytime) of the year, we gathered together to sing some Christmas Hymns and finish our readings of Jesus birth from the Biblical account.\u00a0 We have a fantastic book with the scripture texts and amazing artwork that is one of our favorite Christmas Eve traditions and the boys all gather around to see the pictures.\u00a0 Then somehow, miraculously, Lucas was in perfect form for stocking opening.\u00a0 They were a little lighter this year, but happy family had lots of smiles for simple treasures and lots of chocolate.\u00a0 Playtime of course, with a mini phone-microphone, a balloon helicopter, a small lego to build and lots of excitement for tomorrow.\u00a0 We wrapped up the night with a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” (though we’ve never done Santa with the boys they still like the poem and story<\/em>) and boys giggly to bed.\u00a0 Now…\u00a0 to the build of Lukie’s store-gift for tomorrow, last minute wraps, tree-stocking, and some snuggle time on the couch before bed…\u00a0 Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! 24. Just us.<\/span> 6am pouncing by Aidan, followed by another little excitement ball. Muma gets a few extra minutes then guilted out of bed by 4 Christmas merries. Down to the Family Room with 3 bouncing balls of energy entranced by the large chair-like gift. DONT sit on it! Torn open to be a little store and gifts passed out in a scurry.\u00a0 What fun.\u00a0 Happy faces with each gift.\u00a0 Alex enjoying the nature \/ camping wrap on his gifts as much as what to be inside.\u00a0 Aidan super excited by Lego Boost.\u00a0 Lucas thrilled with Sphero Mini.\u00a0 Fun opening Minnesota gifts and lots of treasures for the outside as well.\u00a0 Hammock, games, BeanBoozled…\u00a0 Shirts and legos for Muma, clothes and tools for Papa.\u00a0 Our quiet day of the week… boys absorbed by Sphero and Boost, Muma and Papa resting, playing, all eating too many yummies and still in our pj’s well after noon.\u00a0 Later, a quick trip out by Muma and Papa when the snow begins to fall.\u00a0 Boys make themselves lunch (for sale at Lukie’s store) and we bring home Pizza for supper.\u00a0 Putting together Muma’s Lego Friends ski resort, and watching some Puppy Dog Pals save Christmas.\u00a0 Boys too excited for tomorrow to go to bed.\u00a0 All three sleeping under the Christmas tree in the little boys room.\u00a0 Love that they’re still small enough to enjoy all these holiday delights.\u00a0 Loving this new home holiday season.<\/p>\n 25. Grateful, thankful, blessed.<\/span> Up early this morning. David picking up Nana from the snowstorm- in an accident but no one injured- just some vehicle damage. Arrivals and super excited boys. Happy helpers all day. Lovely brunch and some dishes. A new sense of wonder in the new house. Boys so excited, polite, thankful, working together. So proud of them! Thrilled with each gift and giving hugs and super big smiles. Quiet afternoon of Cozmo and Lego, snoozies by some. Later sledding in new sleds in the fresh powder. What a winter wonderland today! What a perfect white Christmas! Nana’s Chile to warm up with later and breads and veggies to counter so many yummy snacks throughout the day. Men took Nana home later and shoveled for her. Sharing pics with Grammy, enjoying toys, and quiet time. Later, movie night, worship and finally sleeps after sitting one more quiet moment by the tree with my favorite. Merry Christmas.<\/p>\n 26. Downtime.\u00a0<\/span> So happy that Grammy and Grampapa could stay over and enjoy Christmastime just a little bit longer.\u00a0 The day was a recovery from the two-days snow storms, and happy time at home.\u00a0 Lukie changing Cheweys cage, and escaping from his ball- to be stalked by Tatou, but quickly caught by Muma to live another day.\u00a0 Each boy with their toys.\u00a0 Between Cozmo, Boost, remote control cars, and a new supply of Lego-put togethers, boys happy and contentedly playing together, jumping from one thing to another.\u00a0 Leftovers mean no cooking for Muma.\u00a0 Papa and Grampapa shoveling and snowblowing, Watching Treehouse Masters with Alex and Grammy (little ones with their toys).\u00a0 Later Papa and Alex go out and do some planning for their own treehouse that Alex is so excited to build this spring.\u00a0 Alex can hardly contain himself- walks around wearing new harness, caribeaners and helmet, dreaming about zip-lines and saving his money and Home Depot Gift cards for ‘treasures he wants that Papa won’t buy.’\u00a0 Happy boy.\u00a0 He later said that he loves everything about his new house.\u00a0 That’s really nice to hear.\u00a0 Christmas has really made our new house a home to us.\u00a0 So thankful for all the holiday memories this year- even when busy, and sometimes overwhelming- quiet days like today make everything worth it.<\/p>\n 27.\u00a0 Out and about.<\/span>\u00a0 Today Papa left early with Alexander to work on finishing Grammy & Grandpapa’s basement.\u00a0 So it was a quiet morning with two little boys.\u00a0 We decided to go out and about to Ikea and Costco (with a stop at Toys R Us in between) to get some shelving and a new Lego Table for the Lego kingdom.\u00a0 The world sure was a bustle about, but the boys were happy and at peace with the errands.\u00a0 We stopped for lunch at Panera.\u00a0 It’s just sweet time to be with the little ones and chat with them about their world.\u00a0 It usually includes conversations about ‘moo-cows’ and punny jokes they make up about the things around them.\u00a0 On this event… “What is Trump’s favorite instrument?” asked Aidan.\u00a0 “A Trump-et??”\u00a0 haha…. “Do you think it’s funny, Mama?” One of the boxes at Ikea was so heavy Aidan and I could barely lift it.\u00a0 But he put in such a great effort.\u00a0 Love this boy getting older and taking more pride in his abilities.\u00a0 I love to hear him talk to me about things he’s proud of in his ‘low’ little voice, so matter of factly, with his head tipping this way and that way and his hand making various gestures– his eyebrows up with a smirky smile.\u00a0 Fun to watch him tell me all these things as much as it is to listen to them…\u00a0 Later tonight, organizing Legos a bit, last minute tidying and Jen and Jason’s arrival and a long happy chatty night.\u00a0 Happy for friends… Happy for Holidays.<\/p>\n 28.\u00a0 More Building<\/span>\u00a0 We all jaunted up to Saginaw today to help with the basement finishing.\u00a0 Jason was a great help with the electrical, and the boys were happy to try out the new Christmas toys for Grammy & Grandpapa’s house.\u00a0 Jen and I played clean-up with the vaccuum and played games with the little boys while the big boys worked.\u00a0 Warm soup and grilled cheese sandwiches were a perfect lunch.\u00a0 Stopped for some shopping at Birch Run on the way home, before happily boys returning to play and show Jason new toys and a quiet evening of haystacks and chatter.<\/p>\n 29.\u00a0 Day with Friends<\/span>\u00a0 Favorite pieces of today:\u00a0 A slow lazy morning of boys playing, showing toys and girls sleeping in.\u00a0 Putting new Lego shelves together with Alex and Jen.\u00a0 David and Jason figuring out electrical here.\u00a0 Working on the Lego World for the boys and seeing things neaten up and come together.\u00a0 Watching the boys sledding and taking pictures.\u00a0 Seeing the boys so eager to make it down the hill on the snow surfer.\u00a0 Who can make it the farthest?\u00a0 A quick Kroger trip and good chats with a good friend.\u00a0 Later, lots of fun with the BeanBoozled from Minnesota– laughter and faces from Lukie- the bravest to try any flavor, Alex tried a few, even Aidan.\u00a0 Thankful for grapefruit juice to swallow after a ‘lawn clippings’ jelly bean.\u00a0 Jason teaching them how to tell the difference– it didn’t work every time…!\u00a0 A favorite Sabbath tradition- pancakes with the family on new woodstick placemats.\u00a0 Wrapping up Lukie and helping him out of the tub, later tucking him in, writing on his back, and hearing him chat about Chewey… “Muma, why do I like Chewey so much?”\u00a0 “Because God has given you a compassionate heart for his little creatures…”\u00a0 “But not big bears…”\u00a0 He’s getting more mature in his little face, and I miss my baby Lukie.\u00a0\u00a0 On early Sabbath nights- David reading stories with the boys on edge- always wanting another chapter.\u00a0 Aidan’s wide listening eyes.\u00a0 Aidan was happy today- even handled his broken sled okay.\u00a0 Cheerfully helping with unloading the dishwasher and making supper.\u00a0 Yes a good day.\u00a0 Winding down the year.<\/p>\n 30.\u00a0 A Wii Night<\/span>\u00a0 A Sweet but short Sabbath with friends.\u00a0 David preaching at Lakes Area with Aidan and Jason, and Serena teaching children’s Sabbath School for two.\u00a0 Potluck with a reunited crew and Grammy and Grampapa too.\u00a0 A quiet afternoon of coloring and GYC.\u00a0 And Serena falling more and more under the weather.\u00a0 After a short end of Sabbath Worship, some time for games and fun, fruit and snacks and smoothies (and a little more coloring).\u00a0 Lots of fun with Wii- the old\u00a0old<\/em> one, with bowling and frisbee, running, sword fighting and ‘water sports.’\u00a0 Lucas as the frisbee champion, Aidan a stellar bowler, Jason taking the medal in the wakeboarding, Alex- swordfight champion, David conquers on the skidoo.\u00a0 Jennifer star coloring queen.\u00a0 Serena took pictures.\u00a0 Oh the fun and smiles on all five of those boys faces!\u00a0 Good fun for a very\u00a0very<\/em> cold Sabbath night.<\/p>\n 31. Happy New Year from the Rockwall!<\/span>\u00a0 Friends departed this morning, a little delayed because a couple more chapters turned into a couple-hour long reading session to finish our book on Cabin on Trouble Creek<\/a>.\u00a0 Muma was down and out for the count this morning, so a dozey, listening morning sounded pretty good.\u00a0 After making quick lunches for friends to take on the road, and boys to put in their tummies- the house was very quiet.\u00a0 Muma rested on the couch in the living room while boys played quietly for a couple of hours.\u00a0 Mid afternoon, David took the boys to meet up with friends at a New Years Eve free shindig in Livonia with swimming, rockwall, playground & more.\u00a0 Alex got to take his new Christmas climbing gear, and they actually let him use it on the huge rockwall.\u00a0 Aidan and Lukie loved the play area, and everyone had a grand time in the pool, lazy river, and waterslide!\u00a0 Lucas went down with Papa once, then he was hooked- going down again and again on his own, barely able to peek up over the huge innertube, you could hardly tell it was was his scraggly blond hair and goofy goggles peeking up over the edge, pouring into the pool.\u00a0 Aidan’s favorite was the relaxing lazy river- floating along.\u00a0 Alex liked being spun around in the whirlpool.\u00a0 Little friend enjoying the time with his buddies.\u00a0 Later, a meet with the Mamas for dinner but not wanting to wait in the hour-long lines elsewhere, ended up a the classic Red Robin to share stories and yummies.\u00a0 Lucas fell asleep on the way home, and missed the evening snacks- but the rest of us rounded out the evening with Phase 10 until big brothers got to enjoy a sleepover in Alex’s room- Aidan cozily camping out in his tent- a reunion of room-sharers from a house ago.\u00a0 Midnight “Happy New Year!” texts bounced around the house, though Aidan missed his- he was already fast asleep.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 1. Let the Festivities Begin!\u00a0 And so begins the most festive month of the year!\u00a0 With a flip of the first card on our Advent Tree, the boys delve into their flannel snowy sheets, or at least Muma puts them on the beds.\u00a0 This year, Alex, Aidan, & Papa will Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/winklerworldonline.com\/sda2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2577"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/winklerworldonline.com\/sda2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/winklerworldonline.com\/sda2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/winklerworldonline.com\/sda2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/winklerworldonline.com\/sda2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2577"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"http:\/\/winklerworldonline.com\/sda2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2639,"href":"http:\/\/winklerworldonline.com\/sda2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2577\/revisions\/2639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/winklerworldonline.com\/sda2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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