Monday, December 7, 2009

A Very Busy Month!

Sky's class had the traditional Thanksgiving feast a few days before Thanksgiving. The students made Indians and Pilgrim costumes and were able to choose which one they wanted to wear for the feast. Sky and I made the stuffing for the feast. My mom and Bill attended the feast with Sky. While they were here, I was able to volunteer in Sky's classroom a bit because they babysat Brad and Lila. It was fun to be back in the classroom and also to get to know some of the other students in Sky's class.
Every month Sky's school focusses on a different character trait and compassion was the trait of the month for November. The teacher chooses a student that exemplifies this trait and that student gets to have a special reading time with the principal. Well, Sky was chosen for being compassionate and she received a very nice certificate as well. We are very proud of her!
My mom and Bill babysat Sky and Brad so that we could get together with our great friends from Cincinnati, Joyce and Gary Sallquist. They were vacationing in southern California and they came to our house for lunch one day and we went to their vacation home on Balboa Island one day (without Sky and Brad). It was such a treat to see them!










One night we made gingerbread houses. I think this is becoming a family tradition. It's so much fun and the houses come out so great that they make wonderful Christmas decorations.








Bill loves to plant and grow flowers so while he was here he worked on planting some flowers and sprucing up our yard for us. It looks so much prettier now!



Bill thought it was pretty cool to be able to plant flowers in late Nov./early Dec.









We usually have students here for Thanksgiving dinner but this year it seemed as if all the students I asked already had plans. My mom's husband's (Bill) birthday landed on Thanksgiving this year so we decided to go to Downtown Disney and have lunch at the Rain Forest Cafe. It was loads of fun and we even had a lava cake to celebrate Bill's birthday.












My mom and Bill at the amazing Leggo store in Downtown Disney.










The Christmas tree at Downtown Disney.






One day the kids and I were able to attend a Gymboree class for free through the Moms Club. They had so much fun that day!












Sky has been begging for a tire swing recently and Ken and I keep trying to explain to her that we don't have a suitable tree for it. Anyway, she was in her glory with this tire swing at Gymboree.
















It has been a very busy month for the Ways! My mom and her husband Bill were here over a
2 1/2 week span and we had lots of fun with them! They came to help me out while Ken was gone to his annual SBL (Society of biblical literature) conference. This year the conference was held in New Orleans and Ken was able to try some alligator. He roomed with a good friend of ours from Cincinnati, Russ Mack (also a fellow Hebrew Union student). Lila was so cute when Ken returned home from being gone for 5 days. I think she really missed him and was so glad to see him.











3 comments:

Pepere and Memere said...

What a busy but wonderful time you've been having! And a great oppurtunity to give God thanks for His many blessings! How beautifully your family is growing. Thanks for keeping us updated....Love to you all XOXOXOXOX0

Cup of Joe with three sugars said...

Thanks for sharing, Lori! So cute. I love the one with Lila smiling at her daddy. precious. Its nice to see that your Mom and Bill got to spend alot of time visiting with you guys and the kids. We also enjoy making those gingerbread houses. Only sad part is when Julia has to part with it. Last year she wanted to eat the six week old thing so badly! lol If we dont get to see you this Christmas, have a very beautiful and blessed Christmas! Hugs from CT!

Gram said...

Got to the computer fairly early today and checked out your Blog! How great it is to be able to see so many pictures of your beautiful family and to hear what everyone is doing! Years ago families stayed closer to home but no more. I can't imagine what it was like years ago when mail went by Pony Express. That Brad looks like he is always ready for fun! I can see that you have your hands full. Hang in there!!! Love to all.