Christmas Eve 2017

This was the 11th year of gathering with the Brookses for Christmas Eve.
It’s hard to believe how much they have grown.  We failed to get a photo that first year.  And we have no proper pattern of collecting photos… 

But here you go. 

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These were really 2008, but the camera had that weird date on it…

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Making music move

The oldest three sang with the adult choir for Christmas, and Tab and Johanna sang with the Children’s Choir.  Both groups went to a local Senior Living facility tonight to share some musical Christmas joy.

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Though you can’t see him… Nigel is there too. 

Gingerbread houses 2017

It’s nice when we can still do an activity with all the kids.  I savor these opportunities.

And though we had so much fun together, I somehow did not save the videos we made from our time.

But this was the boys’.

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This was Marie and Johanna’s

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This was Katriel and Tab’s.  Katriel grew weary of the process, but Tab finished strong.

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Happy Birthday to me!

Like any other mom on the planet (?) I chose Chuck E. Cheese for dinner for my birthday.

It seems only fitting as my friend and co-worker, Karrie, thinks I look like Chuck E. Cheese.  (Really, she told me that.)

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The place was mobbed when we arrived.  This is not how we typically find it.  In retrospect we know we went TOO early; birthday parties were still going on.  Once 6 P.M. hit it emptied right out.

We opened gifts first so that John could get them back out into the van.
I love Johanna’s wrapping.

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We played games until the pizza was ready.

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And after dinner, we enjoyed some amazing cheese cake. 

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Nigel has always been a Ticket Master at CEC.  But what is different about him now is he gave all his winnings to his sisters.

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Here is the close up of the new purse John gave me.
Can you see what makes it extra special?

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(Pssssst – look for Mickey Mouse.)

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.