Dec 18th, Kids Praise Singing

 This will be the only year both Elli and Micah can be in the Kids Praise Choir together.

 Elli was once again part of the ballet.

 She and Caleb Masters also had solos at the beginning of the first song.  They both did a great job.

 Micah and Gloria were hilarious.  Gloria was very busy, including telling Micah what to do, fixing his shirt, and just moving around.

 Micah sang like every 5th word even though he knew all the songs.  He was sleepy and distracted:)

 See?  Sleepy.

 They both did such a good job.

 Missing the soloists.

 Just busy

 Part of the ballet.

 Sweet ending to the song.

 Their faces.  Gloria tired of standing, Micah looking to her for what they should be doing?

And, shot of all shots.  Double chance for picking a winner!

Dec 17th, Later that night

 Ellianna participated in the second annual cheerleading clinic at school for 2-6th graders and then got to perform at half time of the varsity game on Dec 17th.

 She was very excited and did a great job.

 All ready to go.

 Getting warmed up before the big show.

 Lots of her little friends participated as well.

 Micah loved the basketball part of this whole thing and was tired of standing around waiting on Elli to perform.

 Lining up.

 She is the third girl back, facing the other way.

 Getting ready for the dance.

Her cheerleader and the girls she was with.

Saturday, Dec 17, Surprise 40th Birthday Party at Scene 75

 I seriously couldn't believe it when I saw Sarah step out from behind some others.  She drove in from Washington DC to be here to celebrate with me!!!!  I cannot believe it !

 Sherry and Heather

 I gave them my phone to snag a few pictures of go-kart fun.  This is what I got:)

 Matt and Oliver

 Brent and Micah

 I may be smiling, but I was out to get everyone!  I was a speedy driver, well, I guess I always am.

 Dad and Wesley

 Another with Matt and Oliver.

 Brent and Micah and Leah and Luka.

 Sarah and McKenna.

 Heather and Francine.

 Gary and Gloria

 Elli won one of the times she drove.  That's my girl:)

 Micah going down the huge slide.  Elli went too quickly and I couldn't get her picture.

We really had so much fun and I was actually surprised.  Brent had me convinced we were going shopping in Tipp City and he wanted a pit stop for some fun on the go-karts on our way.  When he turned down a hallway instead of going to the go-karts, I knew something was happening.  Sure enough, I walked in to a room full of friends and family.  I was explaining that I thought Brent was going to have my party on Sunday afternoon, when Sarah walked out from behind someone else and then I just started crying:)  It was a super fun day with a great surprise and yummy cake.
People there: Brent, me, Elli, Micah, Mom, Dad, Heather, Gary, Gloria, Francine, Leah, Matt, Wesley, Luka, Oliver, Ruby, Aunt Cheryl, Ben, Amy, Curtis, Callie, Keith, Kyle, Megan, Seth, Rayna, Rett, Grant, Travis, Sherry Caleb, Madilynn, Cody (Masters), Cathy, Marc, William, Matthew, Sarah (Hollins), Barb and Randy (Franklin), Sarah, Caleb, McKenna (Pifer), Becky Butterfield.  Matt, Lauren, Stephen, Eleanor, Annette (Wolf)

Sweet

One of my students, Grace Flint, came to my final exam with a gift for my family.  It was so sweet of her.  I let the kids open it that night and it was a puzzle of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea.  Micah helped me work it.

Funny Pics

 Sorry this is upside down, but Micah drew this picture of Donald Trump.  Not too far off:)

This is Margaret Grigorenko.  Her office is next to mine but is also about 10 degrees colder.  This day it was not even registering 60 degrees!  She was freezing and had to go home to finish her work.  Williams Hall at its best.

Dec 15, Elli Band Concert

 Elli is one of 4 girls in the 5th grade to play flute this year.  She is doing a really good job.

 She practiced these songs over and over!

 The band all stood and bowed.

 Gonga came with us. Papa had to work late.

Daddy thinks she is really talented.

Sunday School, Kidz Worship

I have taught in kids Sunday School since before Elli was born.  I really do love it.  This past Sunday, I taught on the gift of eternal life by using the imagery of a stick/wood through the Bible.  We started with the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, then to Noah's ark, Abraham's altar wood, sacrifices on altars, Jesus in the manger, Jesus carrying his own stick (the cross), to the Tree of Life.  So fun to see them so engrossed in this story and imagery.  I hope they remember.  Micah is in my class now but he really wanted to go hear daddy sing instead of stay with me.  Oh well.  Elli came in as my helper.  Micah told me he would come in next time I was his teacher:)

Dec 13th, the first Snow!!!!!

 Look at these big kids.  How are they mine?

 Goofy Micah at it again.

 Close up of Elli.  She is still missing many teeth:)

 Showing off. Goofing around.  Being crazy.

 Bellah wanted to run around and eat the snow.  It was deeper than she is tall in many areas.

 Falling off.

 Elli has always, always loved to eat the snow.Here she is, letting Micah sled while she takes a snow eating break.

 Sledding selfie.  All three of us did fit on the saucer but I am not sure this will happen much longer. it was rough.

 Snow angel.

 Being silly and making us laugh.

 Sure do love these two.  They played very well together while sledding on the "hill" at the end of our street.

I pushed them down before they were totally ready and they both fell off, laughing all they way!  So fun.  I really do love playing with them and the snow seems to make us all happy.  We played out here for about 2 hours.  Pure fun.