Working up to Christmas

This December we were blessed to be involved in a lot of special events.  Here are the girls after we went to see the Nutcracker with our very dear friends and neighbors.  Miss Nicole, the girls' ballet teacher, had discount tickets.  We plan on making this a new tradition. 

Gideon had his first Christmas program.  This one was through his preschool.  He ran out of line when he saw me to give me a big hug.  How loved a mama feels when that happens!!

While the other little ones sang he chewed on his jingle bells.  It was so funny.  He finally got into the last 3 lines of Jingle Bells when he saw me in the audience and I motioned to him to ring his bells with a big smile on my face. 

My bible study (PWOC) had a program with the kids' classes.  Ashton had a part in the play (I only have videos unfortunately), but Thea and Mareea sang.  Here's the only picture I got. 

Bible study had a Lady's Christmas Tea that night and each study decorated a table.  A sister in my study has a huge collection of Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas decorations and she did a great job decorating for us.  I brought a boom box with batteries to play Chipmunk Christmas music under the table!  We won! 

Here are some of the sweet ladies I was privileged to meet and grow closer to the Lord with over the semester.  The woman on the far right was our "Titus 2" woman and I really enjoyed learning from her!  Our leader is the middle with the red shirt.  I just loved her.  Bible study was one of my biggest blessings this past year and I am just so thankful the Holy Spirit laid it on my heart to join since it is way out of my comfort zone personally and I normally don't like to put my kids in childcare.  The kids really liked there classes though!  They did crafts and learned a bible lesson.  PWOC is HUGE.  There were about 12 different studies and classrooms for each kid's age and a homeschool room for 2nd grade and up.  The childrens' teachers were some of the sweetest women and I am so thankful they gave up being in a study to come teach my children about the Lord and keep them safe while I was in worship, listening to testimonies, enjoying "cafe time" with other ladies and having a bible study. 

Before our tea we sang carols.  Isn't it awesome to babywear and play the violin at the same time??  I was impressed!

This is sweet Mareea at her preschool program.  They sang Joy to the World and The Reindeer Boogie. 

After the program we went to their classes for a party. 

Here is Ashton helping Mareea bead her candy cane.  I was watching Evangeline. 

Landon helped with the "tree" and cookie decorating. 

Kama'aina sisters.