The first real snow . . . and other tid bits:)

So . . . we got our first "real" snow of the season . . . which means the first snow day for the kids of the season!  We met up with some friends for some sledding . . . and although I would be the first mama to admit that sledding/bundling up isn't my "favorite" bonding activity to do with the kids -- it really was fun to be together!  

Joshua heading down -- of course, head first:)

Kayla and her friend

Tyler -- he was the youngest, but had no trouble at all keeping up!

The uphill walk -- such a bummer!  This hill was great because there were NO trees/obstacles at the bottom!

Joshua on the double sled -- fun!  Hindsight, I am SOOO glad we expended some energy:)  

It was a very, very good idea!

Yesterday, Joshua's "Treble Makers" group from school had their first concert!  It was actually held in the evening, but since both Bryan and I had really big rehearsals that night, we were able to watch them perform for their school assembly.  They all played various Orff instruments, and considering this is the first year the school has ever had a group like this . . .they did really well:)  We were pretty shocked Joshua even wanted to audition for this group as music doesn't seem to be his "cup of tea" but he has really enjoyed it -- even with the before school practices!

It was eye-opening to see how long it took to file everyone in for the assembly . . . here was Kayla waiting with her class.

Tyler had "Elf Day" and didn't see us from the back of the gym:)

And they finally started!

The last piece, Joshua played the "drums" -- 

 . . . and then took delight in showing his buddy his "battle wounds' when it was completed!

A "deck the halls" photo . . . I wanted to go with a more "rustic" look.  So, it's amazing what a 40% off coupon from JoAnns and a $22 bolt of burlap can get you:)  I made new stockings from the burlap-- and it was fun doing some "personalization" with stenciled letters!  Can anyone decipher who's stocking is who's?

Last week we went to a performance of "Many Moods of Christmas" to support one of my piano student families.  It was like a trip down memory lane as I remember several of those pieces from my college days!

Tyler's "present" for Joshua that he wrote all by himself this week . . . 

Translation:  "Joshua, You are nice to me because you are nice to me.  Yes. " 

Love this stage!

One day this week, some friends hung at our place for a bit before school to help out their parents with scheduling stuff.  This is Joshua and his friend -- and no, the matching hoodies weren't planned:)

As I have been writing this post, I realize how very thankful we are for this past year and all of the connections we have made -- at school, at church, with neighbors, etc.  So very blessed!