Reindeer Games

Chase and Dylan's school has Reindeer Games. This year, the game was ultimate frisbee. I only got to see Dylan's portion because Nate had a program that night. Mark stayed with Chase and Dylan while Cade and I went to Nate's program. Chase talked about how bad his team was and how there was no way that they would win. Whatever, his team won the whole thing. Of course, I don't have any Chase pictures.

Can you spy Dylan?

A buddy of Dylan's

School "Winter" Parties

This year I became Chase's room mom by default - meaning no one else signed up. Luckily the class party was a joint party with other classes. They had a chocolate fondue party. Nate came along to "help".

He is cute help.
The spread before the demolition.
Chase - thrilled that his mom was taking a picture ;)
Dylan's party was going on at the same time, so Nate and I ran upstairs to Dylan's classroom to peek in for a minute. Nate needed to go potty, so he ran into the little boy's room. I waited, and waited, and waited, and waited. Since I could not go into the little boy's room, I had to go nab Dylan to help. It seems that Nate needed to go to the BATHROOM. Poor Dylan had to clean up his brother. What a great brother!
Dylan with his buddy.

Rest of Bunco Pictures

I am not fond of the new blogger format.  I can't put pictures or text like I want them.  And some of the pictures are not even showing up.  Here are the rest of the pictures that I "borrowed".

We had a gift exchange.

  There was a reindeer poop tasting contest where you had to guess the flavor (jelly beans)
There was a snowball fight where you had to throw marshmallows into a teammates mouth.

Reindeer Bash Bunco

December was my month to host Bunco.  (Sidenote - if I ever feel the urge to host in December, then please smack me.  Thank you.  Really, I am kidding, sort of).  (Another sidenote, I didn't take a single picture that evening.  Charis and Jeanie, thank you for letting me steal your pictures even though you didn't even know about it).  We had a reindeer party, but since there are 12 of us and only 9 reindeer, Santa, Buddy the Elf, and Christmas Tree had to join the party.  The best part of the evening is that everyone was able to make it. These girls mean so much to me. I am truly blessed to have them in my life.  And since I am still feeling so emotional about Tim, my lucky readers are going to get to hear why.

I absolutely love Jeana's outlook on life.  She is such a positive person and sees the good in things and in people.  She LOVES her family.  She sees God's beauty all around.

I am enormously jealous of Jennifer's organization skills.  I love how intentional she is in parenting her boys.  She has all of these great traditions and does all of these wonderful activities with her boys.  She is a fabulous mother and a wonderful friend.

Laurie is one of the nicest people that I know.  She is kind, calm, and thoughtful.  She is quick to serve and quick to listen.  She loves her boys and takes their normal boy antics in stride.  I love spending time with her.

The words that come to mind when I think of Shanon are strength and grace.  She is kind and loving with a great laugh.  She is committed to her children and loyal to her friends.  I know that 2010 will bring her loads of blessings.

I have been so blessed to have Charis in my life.  I wish I had more time to spend with her.  She is smart, articulate, and a great deal of fun.  Oh, and in case you didn't know, she likes the University of Texas just a little bit.  She may have a different opinion than you, but she is always respectful of you and open-minded.  I truly love her.

Tonya is always loads of fun to be around.  I enjoy her sarcastic sense of humor.  She loves her family and her friends.  She has fantastic kids.  She is doing a wonderful job of raising her children.  She takes their spiritual growth seriously, and it shows.

Mistee has the most wonderful laugh in the world, and she uses it often.  She is tons of fun.  I love talking with her, and I miss seeing her as often as before (you too, Tonya). 

Tami has the best sense of humor.  She always makes me laugh.  She is someone who sees a need and does what needs to be done - I really admire that.  You can count on her at any time.  She is fun and a fantastic friend.

Shannon is so kind, calm, and intelligent.  I love how easy-going she is.  We have tons in common, and I always love spending time with her.

Diane has a shady past (just kidding).  She is fun and joyful.  She laughs and smiles often.  She has a beautiful spirit and a beautiful family.

Pam has faced health trials with grace.  She loves to laugh, and she loves Elvis.  She has a great sense of humor and wonderful wit.

I am blessed.

Everyone picked a name out of a bowl and that was who they were that night.  I picked the ugliest hat - Christmas Tree.  I really should have rigged it!

Today

Every single seat taken.  Extra seats brought in and quickly filled.  People standing.  People out in the foyer watching on television screens.  Laughter, tears, hugs, reunions.  "I can't believe this" stated over and over again.  The impact that Tim Head had on others was very evident today at his funeral.  I have never seen such a large crowd at a funeral.  A visual example of the influence that Tim had on people.  Tim loved, and it shows.  Tim lived a Christ-like life, and it shows.  I hope that I can live my life more like Tim lived his.  I want to love more like Tim did.  I want to invite more people into my heart like Tim invited people into his heart.  I want to tell more people what they mean to me while they are still around for me to tell them.  I want to live my life in such a way that my funeral is packed.  I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to know Tim.  I just wish it had been for longer.  Please continue to keep his family in your prayers. 

Tim

Today we were supposed to be on a bus with church friends heading to Colorado for a fun ski trip.  Instead, we are all heartbroken by the tragic loss of one of those friends.  Tim was an amazing man who influenced many for good and continues to influence many for good.  People are writing notes about him on Facebook.  The same words come up over and over again because they are all true of Tim.  Godly, friendly, funny, compassionate, happy, and kind.  Those are just some of the words.  It struck me that I could not think of a single negative thing to say about Tim.  I know that everyone has faults, but I just can't think of any for him.  He loved God with his whole heart.  He sung praises to God with feeling and joy.  He loved his family, especially his wife and precious daughter.  He loved life!  He was always looking at the good side of things, even when he was facing hard times.  He loved to have fun.  He loved singing.  He was a happy and joyful person.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always fun to be around.  He was friendly and kind to everyone!  He had a servant heart.  He would be there for you at any time if you needed help, and he wouldn't let you apologize for asking for his help.  There are not enough words to describe him.  He was simply a great guy, and his loss will be felt deeply by many for a very long time.  Knowing him made me a better person.  Losing him makes me want to work at being an even better person.  I don't know why this happened.  I really cannot believe that it has.  One thing I do know is that his life had great meaning.  He served God well, and he IS singing in heaven.  To Amy and Samantha, your family is in our hearts and prayers and will continue to be.  Amy, your strength and grace throughout this time has inspired me.  We ache for you guys and will do anything we can to help.  I am so very sorry. 
           

Nate Quote of the Day

While dancing to his new music played by his new music player, Nate
was interrupted by his cousin. Nate's quote, "Drew!! You are messing
with my skills."

Holiday in the Park - Take 1

We took a trip to Holiday in the Park with my sister and some friends.  My sister-in-law was going to meet us there with my nephew for part of the day (she had to leave at 4).  We arrived at Six Flags only to discover that they did not open until 2!  Guess I should have checked operating hours first.  We all went to see "The Princess and the Frog" (I was not so impressed.  I thought it was boring and filled with too much voodoo.)  Then we made it to Six Flags - minus my sister-in-law and nephew.

My sister with Nate

Yummy hot chocolate

Random Pics from Phone

Santa, Baby

Nate's preschool Christmas party was on the 16th. He had big fun! He especially enjoyed getting to wear his pajamas to school. He even wore them to church that night. At preschool, his teachers made a Santa using his picture. Cracked me up. My boy is stinkin' cute.

Like My Daddy

Mark gave this hat to Nate - which thrilled him.  He enjoyed modeling it for me.  He is stinkin' cute.

More Football

Look at the short sleeves - my boy is crazy!

Reader's Theater

Cade's class presented a Reader's Theater. Their production was "The Gingerbread Boy". Nate and I were honored to attend.

Nate was thrilled to spy Cade.

Cade's role was the sheep. Isn't his costume divine!

Saying his lines.

Cast picture :)

Chase's First Band Concert

These pictures are in crazy order because I changed my blogger settings, and I can't quite figure it out yet (and I am too lazy or busy to mess with it).  I can't figure out how to get the text in the right places either.  Chase had his first band concert on the 10th.  He had to wear dressy clothes, which he hates.  I had to take a lot of pictures, because I don't know if he will ever be in dressy clothes again. 

Searching for the Spirit

Things have been just a little bit off this Christmas season.  Decorating has been slow, slower than Christmas :)  Chase commented about how it doesn't feel like Christmas because our decorations weren't up yet, and he was right.  We finally got the basics up.  This year is going to be a bit scaled down.  My Christmas spirit has been missing, and I don't know why.  I usually love listening to Christmas music, but I just haven't been in the mood.  I better get in the spirit quick, since Christmas is just 8 days away!!

Chase had star duty this year, and he did a great job.

Our elf, Scout, has returned this year.  Cade is especially thrilled to search for Scout every morning.  Most mornings Scout remembers to move.

The Naughty List

Waiting in line to see Santa - notice how Cade is standing right next to the naughty list :)

Cade touched the red keyboard, and it fell off!! I told him that it was not a good idea to break Santa's things right before you see him. That is a sure way to end up on the naughty list!

This one is trying to earn his way onto the naughty list. See the Advent calendar that Grammy sends every year. Somehow, most of Nate's candy got eaten before the appropriate dates. Nate's explanation? Santa must have eaten it!!!! Another sure way of getting on the naughty list is to accuse Santa of your crime. Naughty, naughty, naughty!