Raffle Dinner

Pretty much every semester the senior class raffles off dinner with the staff. We always laugh at this, because we have students over for dinner at least three nights a week, usually more. So, doing the raffle dinner is never that big of a deal, except occasionally we get students over that haven't yet been, so it's nice.

This year I decided to make it "fancy". Well, as fancy as I know how to do. I even broke out the "Christmas china". Basically I got some Christmas china as a wedding gift, but I rarely get to use it, because we are usually gone at Christmas.

Well, last year we used it (maybe?) and then we used it Monday. :)

We had a good time having our "regulars" Jesse and David over, and some new students, Spencer and Lisa with their baby girl Abby.

It was a fun night. We are glad they put their tickets in our bag. :)

All of us for the raffle dinner.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

Sunday evening we spent as a family decking our halls with boughs of holly. Well, maybe not "holly" per say, but we did put up the tree! :)
We were so glad that three special students, Jenna, Liz and Sarah, were able to come and decorate with us. These girls have become part of our family, and soon two of them will graduate. We will miss you Lizzy ba' dizzy, and Battle axe!
We are getting excited about Christmas here. What a great time of year. Josie and Emma love singing songs of Jesus birth, and writing their own. It's very merry around here. :)
Here are a few pics of the night. Josh was there, but he was the photographer most of the time. :)

Addie is such a cutie! She did not want to hang ornaments, just hold them. :)

Sarah and Emma giving Sonny some lovin'.

Josie thinks she is Clara from the Nutcracker. I wouldn't doubt for a second that she thinks this nutcracker comes to life at night. :)

Liz, Addie, Jenna, me, and Emma hamming it up for the camera.

Emma got to put the star on the tree this year. Her pose makes me laugh. Such a drama queen.

Over the River and Through the Woods...

...Well, it may not have been exactly like that. I should have said "Over the pot holes, and down 127, to Grandmothers house we go!" :)

After our time in Howell with my folks, we travelled to Ohio and spent some time with Josh's other sister Sarah, as well as her hubby Steve, and Livvie, Simeon, and Sophie at Grandma and Grandpa's house. That would be Josh's parents if you are not following. :)

They just moved into their new home a couple weeks ago, and we "broke it in" so to speak. We had a really wonderful time with Grammy and Grampy, and the Curry clan. Boy did we miss Ben and Emily and the Snyders though!

On Saturday, we made it to cousin Ron and Jeanne's house for a Mathew family get together. It was so good to see everyone, and have a great time visiting. A lot of these family members we had not seen since Ben and Emily's wedding a year and a half ago, and some even longer!

Me being the genius I am, actually didn't get any pictures while we were there. I did bring our camera, but completely forgot to use it! Josh assures me that is a Mathew trait. :)

We did get a couple of pictures with Grandpa Hertel. :) We were so glad to be able to visit with him while we were down there.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. We got home on Saturday evening, and got to go to church this morning. After naps we decorated our tree! Those pics will be coming soon. No students wrapped in Christmas lights singing "Jingle Bells" this year though. :)

Josh and the girls with Grandpa Hertel. :)

Josie and Grandpa making corn bread. Gluten free, of course. :)

Grandma reading one of a gazillion stories that she read that weekend.

Uncle Josh teaching Livvie how to whistle different notes. There was a whole lot of whistling going on that weekend!

Thanksgiving with the Frazier's

Wednesday evening we headed to Howell to spend Thanksgiving with them. We got there pretty late, and put the girls straight to bed. Josh, Dad, Mom and I watched "Christmas in Connecticut" while I made a pecan and a pumpkin pie for the next day.

We woke up and watched the Detroit Thanksgiving day parade then the Lion's football game while mom and I finished making the meal. We did pretty good I'd say. It was delicious! :)

After our 2 o'clock dinner we just lounged around, and visited. I even got a nap!

We did miss my brother and sister and their families, but we are looking forward to getting together for Christmas at my sister's new home in Indiana!

Even though they were all missed, we still had a great time. Thanks for inviting us over Mom and Dad!

Addie and Josie "patiently" waiting. :)

Thankful Hearts!

We have had a wonderful few days with family. I am so thankful for the time we were able to spend with Ken, Chris, Winston and Cora on Wednesday. They were able to stop by on their way to Grand Rapids to be with Ken's family. The kids had some fun playing in the snow. We had some potato soup for dinner and then some of Chris' famous blueberry pie! We were sad that they all couldn't stay longer, but we are looking forward to Christmas with them!

Addie stayed inside while the rest of the kids played in the snow.

I said snow, but maybe I should have called it slush. It was melting fast that day!

The girls warm up with some homemade cocoa and a little "Christmas in Connecticut".

Our lovely meal together.

Turkey Bowl!

Saturday was the annual Staff vs. Students football game, aka Turkey Bowl!

Even with the temps in the low 20's and snow on the ground, we had a great turn out for this fun Campus Life event.

The students beat the staff this year by one touchdown. I'd like to say that I saw the end, but the girls and I only made if for a little longer than a quarter. It was COLD!

A little later that night, they had a bon fire. I also missed that because I was home with the kiddos, but Josh said it was great fun. The fire was big enough to keep everyone warm.

Staff are in red, students in yellow.

Emma's look of concern wasn't for a play, but for...

...Rhett with shorts and no coat! Is this what guys do when they are away from their mother? :)

The girls thought flag football was too wimpy, and tried some tackles out on daddy.

The Three Little Princesses

Things are going well. I just wanted to post some pictures of my pretty little ladies on here. I love them so!

Emma

Jozo

Addie

There Shall Be Showers of Blessings...

I am so overwhelmed by what just happened. I don't normally make two posts in one day, but I had to come on here and show all who read this blog how our great God has provided for us. Jehovah Jireh!
This afternoon two couples from our church brought over a truck load of food! I have never seen this much food in one place at one time, not inside a store.
I am floored. I really don't even know how to describe it, so here are some pictures.
Thank you Cascades Baptist Church! With all this food, plus the deer Josh got, we could eat for a year!
Thank you Lord, for your blessings on us today!

Hmm, thought I was exaggerating? Told you! :)

Look at all of this! There is even a ton of food you can't see. I stacked it in the back. TONS!

Yum. I think this will be opened soon. :)

Josh made me take a picture of this. He loves the name. :)

My Hunter is Home...

...and he came home with a 10 Point Buck!!!
Josh had been gone since Thursday night. We missed him so much! That's a long time away from someone you love.
We are all so proud of him.
The girls kept saying over and over, "Thank you, Daddy!"
Josie kept looking at the deer and saying "He's so tasty!" Hilarious! :)
Here are some pictures Josh took while he was up north. Enjoy!

This is where Josh spent hours and days waiting for a shot. (Don't tell the deer!) :)

My burly hunter. Doesn't he look very grizzled? That orange was so bright you can even see it in black and white! :)

Even in the woods he has an artistic eye. Awesome shot, babe!

That's right! Ten Points! Pretty good for only his second time hunting!

Seriously, this guy is HUGE!

I'm so happy he's home! My Hero!

Missing the Man in Our Life...

Josh has been off in the cold, wet woods, trying to bring home a deer for our family so we have meat this year. We are all very grateful, but are missing him so!

How do we stay busy while the main man in our life is gone? Besides me speaking at a youth retreat, going on a shopping adventure with Nana on her birthday, carpool to school, work, church, choir practice, youth group home invasion, more school and work... we mostly just like to play dress up at home. :)

Jesus, please keep our Josh safe and warm, and bring him home soon!

Emma likes to play Mom. Who was surprised by that statement?

Peek-a-boo Addie!

Sonny pretending to be one of the girls. Hey, at least we didn't dress him up in a tu-tu!

Daisey Joy Troyer is Here!

Our sweet, dear friends Keisa and Clint had their fourth baby today! Daisey Joy was 7lbs 11oz and 21" long. They graciously let me come and meet their sweet little one.

So, here is a post for all their family and friends far and away to get a glimpse of little Daisey.

I think it's time for another little girl Josh. What do you think? :)

Clinton with his two princesses.

A beautiful Mama with her beautiful baby.

Look at those cheeks! Keisa made her that little hat too!

Such a precious gift from God!

End of Block Party!

Last night when I got home from youth group, I was greeted by a houseful of students! :) I simply forgot, it was the end of the block, meaning no one had homework last night, and party at the Mathew's!!!

I think the last student left at 11:59pm. So it was a late night, but a good night. :)

Everyone looks grumpy because this is my third attempt at a group picture with me in it, and they are trying to watch a movie. :) Who cares if I cut out six people, when I got myself in, right? Ha!

Born in the Wrong Decade!

Last week was spirit week at Emma's school. Each day they got to wear something other than their uniform that corresponds with the theme of the day. Let's see, there was favorite sports team day, favorite color, crazy hair/crazy socks, and western wear. My favorite by far was decades day. They were assigned different decades by the hall they are in. The K/1st grade hall had the 1980's. Oh! I was so excited! Check out my 80's chicky! :) She was definitely born in the wrong decade!

That's right! Complete with side ponytail and purple eyeshadow!

Don't miss the tight rolled (or "pinch rolled") pants and slouch socks!

Trunk-or-Treat and Jack-o-lanterns So Sweet!

This year our trip out to Rives Baptist church for their annual trunk-or-treating party was great! With the time change being later this year, it was still light out for most of the evening. It was so neat because you could see everyone's costumes. Emma was a medieval maiden with a dress grandma made her for her fourth birthday, and a long wig. :) Josie was Blue from Blue's clues, and Addie was the rooster that Josie was last year. Oh, and we can't forget Sonny! He went as Underdog. Yes, we took our dog. :) He wasn't the only dog there dressed up either!

We had cider and donuts, listened to a band play praise music, went for a hay ride and pony rides, and we can't forget all the candy! It was a fun time for all.

Meet Underdog! Or as our friend Amanda put it "Under-bite dog"! :)

My little cuties. They were NOT wanting to do a photo shoot.

Before we went we carved some pumpkins.

Josie still hates getting her hands all "gooey".

Emma likes it! :)