Third day of Advent

"A mile and a half to the northwest of the town of Bethlehem is a fertile plain with hills rising behind it.

It is to this plain that many shepherds brought their sheep to feed upon the grass.

A shepherd knows his sheep so well that he can call them by name.  Going before them, he leads the way and they follow him.

To the shepherds out on the plains of Bethlehem the Advent Season meant something very unusual and important.  We will want to watch carefully so that we can know what it was that later happened to them."

Andrew's Snowman Ornament

We've had this ornament craft for a long time.  It was buried under a bunch of other crafty things.  So Andrew and I made it today and we both had a really fun time.

Second day of Advent

"Just before Jesus was born, the government ordered everyone to return to his home to be counted and to pay his taxes.  For Joseph, the father of Jesus, this meant going to the town of Bethlehem which was in the state of Judea in the country of Palestine.

It is in and around this little town that many interesting things took place.  We will want to watch very closely every day for a new "adventure" in the town of Bethlehem."

First day of Advent

"A long time ago, long before Jesus was born, many people were not very happy.  These people found it hard to get enough food, clothes, and a home for their families.  They were poor because the government took so much money for taxes.  Still these poor people hoped that a better day would come.  In fact, some of their religious leaders, called Prophets, said that God would send someone to help them,  Later Jesus was born in the country of Palestine."

It's a puzzle kind of morning

The boys and I spent most of the morning putting together puzzles.  We all had a lot of fun.

Star of the Week

Adeline was chosen to be the "Star" of the week!  She had seven questions to answer with drawings or pictures.

1. Favorite place: Grandma's house

2. When she grows up she wants to be a Doctor like Aunt Betsey

3. Favorite sport: Soccer (picture with friends Jersey and Maya)

4. Family picture

5. Favorite food : stroganoff 

6. Favorite Book: Tangled (picture with Rapunzl)

7. And a statement about what makes Adeline so special.

Time to put on the Angel

Both Adeline and Brooklynn wanted to put the Angle on the tree.  So with the help of their dad's they worked together and put it on.  Good job girls!

Bean Grandkids

Adeline 6, Brooklynn 3, Andrew 3, and Gabby 1

Andrew and Gabby

These two really have a sweet bond.  Andrew is so gentle with Gabby and includes her in whatever he does.  I love hearing him call her Gabs or Gabster....it's so sweet.

The two snuggled together to watch a Christmas movie with no coercion.  I don't remember how this happened but Andrew lifted his shirt and Gabby rubbed his back.  It was the sweetest thing. 

Decorating Grandma's Tree

With the Goshen Bean's now here it is time to decorate.

We skyped Betsey right before we started and decided to keep her on so that she could be a part of it.

The final product!!  

All it needs is the Angel.....

Grandma found a Bill Knapp's cake for Josh and everyone else to enjoy....

Andrew and Adeline passed on the cake but instead had huge bowls of ice cream.

Goshen Bean's are here

And that means the Gabster is back!!!

Adeline's choice...

This was the tree Adeline really wanted us to choose.  This year all of the tree's were pretty small.  There were some tree's pre-cut inside the barn that we were debating on getting but I think the ones outside were better.  It was freezing so when everyone took a second trip back outside to the tree's the kids and I went in the car to warm up.  Adeline is pretty confident that they got this tree and I'm not going to burst her bubble.  So good job Addy picking out our Christmas tree.

Picking out the tree

Aunt Erin got to get in this picture!!!

Daddy and Andrew.  

Andrew already has candy cane all over his face.

Adeline and Grandpa looking for the perfect tree.

We always have to get a picture of the kids with a tree and then also the family.  Andrew cooperated in the picture with his sissy but....

...not with us.

Christmas Movie

Andrew had his own recliner set up for the movie.  He did this by himself.

A funny moment

Adeline and Grandma cracking up at something on t.v.

Love it!

The final product

I think Grandpa's is my favorite....good job Andrew

Good job kids!  Now who's ready to eat?

The Green Machine

Grandpa had a special new toy waiting for the kids in the garage.  They were both pretty excited about it.  It takes some skill but I think these two will have it mastered by Spring!  Thank you Grandpa!

Thanksgiving morning

The kids found their spot for the morning in Grandpa's lap

Grandma had a wonderful idea for the kids to make name tags for the table. 

This was right up Adeline's ally.

Andrew was not shy either and really enjoyed tracing his own hand.

Off for the Thanksgiving Weekend

Andrew playing Angry Birds and Adeline playing the Leapster.  We're ready for a fun weekend.

Decorating for Christmas

Decorating this year was so much fun with the kids.  Daddy had the Christmas music playing and the kids were pulling all of the decorations out.  We hope to purchase a new tree at the end of the season because I am tired of this little tree we have.  It used to be our "downstairs" tree when we got real tree's for Christmas.  Since it is so short I put it on the kids table so that it would be taller.  It probably doesn't look that great but oh well.

The kids helped me with very gentle hands to set up our claymation village.

Addy and Andrew had a blast putting all of the ornaments on the tree.  I just love how they are all pretty much just on the bottom.  Who needs an even looking tree?  Not us!

I had to capture a picture of Adeline's outfit for most of the decorating.  She is silly!

Homemade Donuts for Breakfast

With church now at 11 am we seem to have a lot more time in the morning.

Adeline said that it felt a little bit different eating a donut with a missing tooth.

I think Andrew had about ix donuts...maybe more.  We'll see if he gets a belly ache later on.