January

January held a few unexpected trips and guests for our family.  

Our first jaunt was to Milwaukee and an indoor water park.  Ryan and Rachel were there, looking into a possible move, and Mom and Dad were also there to babysit.  So, we took a day trip to hang out.

Our second unexpected trip was to Grandma Johnson's funeral in Illinois.  Jonathan had planned to fly to Florida for her 100th birthday, but the Lord had other plans.  Instead, we attended her funeral that day.  It was a touching service, led by Jonathan's dad.  Jonathan did the readings, and had a little to say about his grandma during the service.  She is such a special lady, who will be missed by many!

As a result of the funeral, Jonathan's parents and brother spent some time at our house.  They also took a quick trip to Toledo, to see Jonathan's grandma and aunts and uncle there.  

Aunt Mary and Uncle Ken spent a few days with us as well.  We took them on a drive of the area, and  stopped at the carousel.

Here are some shots of the boys putting together their wooden race cars that we got them for Christmas.

Who says you can't enjoy the beach in the winter?!

Here are the boys modeling their Packers' scarves a friend from church made them.  Unfortunately, it did not positively effect the outcome of the game that day!

Hilton Head Christmas

Thanks to Aunt Mary and Uncle Ken, we were able to spend a week after Christmas on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  We met them and Jonathan's parents and brother there for the week.  We had so much fun being with family, exchanging gifts, and being outside in warm weather!

The boys loved the ping pong table at the resort!  There was also an indoor and heated outdoor swimming pool.  We were right on the beach, so we were able to spend some time playing and walking on the beach.

Playing miniature golf.  The men went "real" golfing twice.

In Charleston--waiting to board the ferry to Fort Sumter.

There was an aircraft carrier where we boarded the ferry.

Jellyfish we found while exploring the beach.  We also found quite a few horseshoe crab shells.  We saw dolphins several times while near the water.  And we witnessed a man catch a small shark with his fishing pole!

Fun climbing on the rocks!

View from the top of the lighthouse.

Christmas Eve

The children's Christmas Eve program this year was called, "Exploring God's Promises."  I volunteered to direct it, and it came together very nicely.  We got a lot of compliments--the kids did a great job!

Benjamin was a shepherd and Paul was a sheep.

Grandma and Grandpa made a quick trip to our house to see the program, and celebrate Christmas with us before they drove to North Dakota.

Aunt Rachel, Bella, and Bo visit

Rachel, Bella, and Bo came for a 4-day visit right before Christmas.  She found a good deal on airline tickets, so they flew here before heading to St. Louis for Christmas.  As always, the cousins had a blast together!  Jonathan let Rachel and me go shopping while he took the kids to the bounce house place in the mall.

Thumbs up, Daddy/Uncle Jonathan!

The next day we all went to a children's museum and then out to eat.

Being silly with the buckets!

Story time with Aunt Rachel.

School Christmas Programs

Benjamin had his school Christmas program on the last Wednesday in Advent.  They did a 1:00 and 7:00 service.

Benjamin was Joseph. 

Paul's program was his last day of school.  He was an angel.  Both boys did an excellent job singing and saying their parts.  It always brings tears to my eyes to hear them sing about Jesus!

Christmas decorating

Christmas caroling at the lighthouse!  The boys loved playing with the Christmas village.  It provided a new place to drive their cars and pretend.

Jonathan and Benjamin went to pick out the tree by themselves.  Paul was sick with the stomach flu that day.  We decorated it that afternoon.  The boys loved helping out!

This was a sick day project, after Benjamin came down with the stomach flu.