Wrapping Up 2019

Merry Christmas 2019 and Happy New Year 2020!

It's been a good year and I am looking forward to the journey of 2020 with my crew.

This is my favorite moment

If our church ever stops doing candle light...hmm, what is this actually called? Well, if they make us stop playing with fire during the Christmas Eve service I will probably have to attend a different church once a year. I love the symbolism of sharing the light of Jesus. As we stand in a completely dark sanctuary singing "Silent Night," one candle is lit and within minutes the entire room is filled with light. Even the memory of it warms my soul.

Selfie with my favorite girls

Every year we take a family picture at church. This year we arrived entirely too early because I was concerned about getting good seats, so the five of us messed around taking pictures. Unfortunately, after church we were in such a hurry to make it to our dinner reservations we didn't get a family photo taken. I'm glad we got these. For the record, Nana and Papa came to church with us.

Christmas Eve PJ photo

No Christmas card and no Christmas Letter in 2019. 

What will I do in my Christmas scrapbook...leave a page blank?

Through the ups and downs of every day life I have decided to find joy. When I look for it, I find it! My prayer for my friends, family and fans (ha ha I don't have fans but it sounded good) is that they all find joy in the mundane, the challenges and other people's successes. 

Merry Christmas and God Bless

Reagan's High School Graduation Party

It came

It went

It was a success!

We had over 210 friends and family come through the doors to celebrate Reagan. I'm sure we greeted each person but there were some who I hardly remember having much of a conversation with. But thank you all for sharing your Sunday afternoon with us.

My people came to the rescue

Susan and Kimberly, you are AWESOME! Thank you for everything you did to help us set up, serve food and clean up. You get me. You make me smile. I miss you both!

School Friends

Girl Cousins

Mark & Claire from CORE PT

The Grandparents

Colton and Reagan

Will S

Kenzie B

Kaylee B (almost family)

Cece B

 Cookies and More Cookies

Reagan wanted Chocolate Chip cookies...we had 600. I couldn't help but order the cutest sugar cookies in the midwest from Angie Foley of Branson. I wish I had a better photo of her designs. They look amazing and taste just as fabulous!

 The menu - Walking tacos and Chocolate chip cookies.

In case you were wondering, 45 lbs of taco meat fits in a 22 qt roaster oven

I was so busy getting ready for the party I didn't focus on getting good pictures of all my decorations. These center pieces were simple but just what I wanted. I spray painted books, placed on burlap wrapped in red and black ribbon and 2 framed photos; an early childhood picture and a senior picture. To finish off the look we added cups of m&ms and 2020 confetti. 

When I track down a few more pictures I will be adding them. It's truly more for me to look at years later than for my blog readers. 

What a great day of celebration!

She Sings, She Dances, She Acts

The month of December took us to several auditoriums to watch our rising star perform.

2 Sing Omaha concerts

It's so nice when Oma can make it to a concert. Luckily it wasn't too cold, she's becoming a softy now that she spends half her time in Texas.

 Olivia played the part of Bulda the rock troll and towns person

3 FROZEN JR musical performances

Show choir dresses are not in yet so they perform in school choir shirts. Competitions start in January so throwing up some prayers for delivery so the director doesn't have a nervous break down.

School 8th grade concert

Nana and Papa enjoy "all things grandkids" 

We are fortunate to have them near by.

ENCORE Show Choir

14 and Lovin' It

8th grade

Oh Livy! Aren't you still a toddler? I have no idea where the years have gone but in a blink of an eye you have grown into a lovely, talented young lady. Oh the JOY you have bring to this family. We love you and celebrate you!

Liv's birthday fell on a Wednesday night which is the night she babysits for our bible study. She didn't mind hanging out with a bunch of wild kiddos because she knew Michael was making her a birthday cake. Look at that 4 layer cake of chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, oreo cookies and fudge. That's pretty much the definition of heaven to this girl. :) 

cake with Kaitlin & Grace

Presents

We have hit that stage of life where gifts are no longer a surprise. With that said, she was still very excited to have a new outfit, blanket, stocking cap and GC.

I forgot to take a picture the night we had a family dinner. Emma came home (brought Joe) and the Raabe grandparents joined us too.

Happy 14th year of life sweet girl!

Friend Birthday Party yet to come. This girl had so many concerts, musical rehearsals and musical performances we couldn't get a party on the calendar. It will happen...soon.