Now that it’s the middle of January, I figured now would be a good time to show/tell what we did in December. 
The only thing I’ve left out of this post is our annual New Year’s Day (turned Eve due to weather) bonfire. That will be the next post. Then we will be all caught up. 
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Annual Caroling Party
For many years, we’ve set aside an evening to carol through our entire neighborhood. We have fun dressing up in Dickens style outfits, singing 3 or 4 part carols, and watching people’s delighted faces as we sing. Then we all come back for a party at our house!
Ready to carol!
Missy’s friends, Ethan and Adam. 
She wrote them both a letter. So cute.
We split up into two groups so we could cover ground more quickly and make sure we got to every house.
Party/Food time!
Does anyone remember playing “Down by the Banks of the Hanky Panky” when you were younger? Definitely brought back childhood memories. Couldn’t believe we played this…but it was so much fun!
Playing “Down by the Banks…”
After a bit, we decided to get out a couple guitars and do some singing. So much fun!
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Second Annual Christmas Party
Last year, Jen hosted a party for our Evangelism Gathering group. We decided to do it again this year and make it into a college/career age party to make the group bigger.
Can you tell what the theme is?
One of our activities was splitting into three groups and making a list of at least 10 things that changed for humanity when Jesus Christ died and was raised back to life. There were some great answers (try it yourself!). It made all of us think and go to our Bibles.
Then we played a game where everyone got into groups of two, and one person was given a simple picture. The people would stand back-to-back, and the person with the picture would have to describe it to the person behind them, while that other person drawn the described picture. There were some that were apprehensive about this game, but it ended up being really really fun. After the first picture, another picture was given out and the people would switch roles.
WONDERFUL parents!! Thanks for all your help!
Our last game was the balloon tower game. We stayed in our previously assigned three groups and were given a bag of 40 balloons and tape. The goal was to blow up the balloons and a make the tallest balloon tower that would stand for ten seconds without any help. I wish we had a video of this! (and btw…that tower on the right IS taped to the ceiling…we didn’t win, but we got points for creativity )
This went on at the end of the party. lol
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Christmas
We actually celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve since Dad had to work at BGEA on the 25th. We all agreed that it was nice celebrating a day early. We had a great and relaxing time together.
Dad is the master breakfast chef. We had our traditional breakfast pizza. Sooooo yummy!
The girls have a point system at church for the mid-week service. They get points for different things, and those points turn to “money” when they do their Christmas store. This is one of their favorite nights of the year. The catch is that whatever they buy, they have to give away. You’d think kids wouldn’t want to do that, but Missy and Marianna LOVE it. They got some really nice gifts for everyone and were *so excited* to watch us all open what they had given us. Priceless.
Whoever invented this ping-pong net is a genius. It’s portable and doesn’t require a table. It worked perfect on our pool/school table.
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My Birthday
I turned 24 on Christmas. Since we celebrated Christmas early, we actually got to celebrate some of my birthday on Christmas!
We forgot about getting a birthday balloon like we do each year, but Missy saved the day and made me a custom birthday balloon. Couldn’t have asked for a better one.
My birthday dinner request was Mexican Lasagna.
Siblings!
Bethany made a delicious chocolate cake with a raspberry filling and chocolate icing.
‘Twas a wonderful birthday.
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Play Time
Aren’t imaginations wonderful? This is the girls’ tent/wagon.
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Time with Old Friends
Got to see our friend Grace for a little bit while she was in town from TX. Jen surged some baby blankets for Grace’s little girlie she’s expecting. It was so nice to catch up with her!
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Christmas Break Fun
Our friends Hanna and Joseph were home from college, and we spent almost every day of Christmas break with them (at least it felt like it). We played games, ate Cincinnati chili, went to parties, and watched a LOT of the movie Christy. Glad we have awesome friends like them.
Foot picture!
This was actually before my birthday and Christmas. Some of us went over to the Carter’s house after church to play games, and Mr. and Mrs. Carter made me a birthday cake and we had a small party! It was so sweet of them! And the cake and ice cream were very VERY delicious. I even got to lick all the extra batter because it was MY birthday.
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Christmas Tree Hunting
The Christmas Tree Bandits strike again! After Christmas, we went to surrounding neighborhoods and collected Christmas trees that were on the side of the road. We had the truick (which fits up to 13 trees, depending on their sizes…yes, we pack them in…and use lots of rope) and a smaller “scouting car.” This is one of my all-time favorite activities of the year.
Because of some impending rain the following day, we covered the trees the first night. They stayed pretty dry, thankfully.
The McGarty’s and Carter’s helped us on our first round. We had quite a turnout of trees!
The Edward’s and Hanna C. helped us on our second run. We made some more runs, but these were the big ones.
Our total number of trees was around 60. Pictures of the bonfire next.
I guess I could have just left these pictures out and gone onto December pictures, but we happen to like a lot of these pictures sooooo…here goes!
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