It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The girls arrived safely!

Tyler performed in Get in the Spirit

Finally had Marisa- the 1st time in 2 years- to help set up the tree

Ugly Sweater Day! I nailed it!

Lebkuken!

And so it begins…

Star Wars Jammies!!!

Charlie and the 3 piggy angels

Now that the girls know our secret we have been keeping, I can share that we got a new bunny and we named it Charlie!!!  Also, after having him over a month, we took him to the vet and found out Charlie is actually a girl!

Well, Charlie definitely wasn’t in our plans.  At work, on the faculty loungge table, there was a black and white photo copy of a bunny ina cage that said anyone could have him.  It sat there for weeks.  I asked Bob, and being smart said no, we already have 3 guine pigs and 4 kids to take care of.  Then the next Saturday, while doing housework, Bob suprisngly brings up the bunny, wanting to know more about it- WHILE ALAYNA WAS IN THE ROOM!  All she heard was “free bunny” and we were toast.  I checked with the lady and she said no one wanted him- it belonged to her niece.  I said we would love to try him out and see how he does with the bunnies.

So, the Monday before Thanksgiving, I followed this lady to her house.  They have 3 kids under 5, 3 indoor dogs, 2 indoor cats, and many outside animals as well.  As soon as I walked in, I saw two HUGE dogs, kenneled in small cages, barking like crazy (a little on the scary side)  Animals were everywhere.  then I saw, on top of the shaking , rattling dog cages, there was a bunny in a small cage, where apparently she stayed all day.  I decided right there and then we would be keeping her.

She is so sweet!!!  She was super shy the 1st week, now that she knows she is safe, she is all over.  She can jump super high and uses the living room furniture as an obstacle course.  We just love her to death.  Now if only we could potty train her!!!  She loves to go by the cages and converse with the guineas.  Daisy will chat but the other two run for cover.  The other day, we found out that she had been jumping into and hanging out in the guinea cages- giving them quite the scare!  She just wants friends…

Here is when we found out she was actually a girl:

She is truly a Ninja.  She appears out of no where and never makes a peep- unless she senses danger from somewhere outside- then she thumps, loudly.

So, welcome Charlie to the family!

Catching up

 

Alayna making Gingerbread houses at YW

Blessing dress Kayla made:

Posted in the Iowa Reading Association Newsletter!

“Kristina Hart, library specialist for the Anamosa MS & HS, was our speaker in October. Her topic was “Ignite the Love of Reading from Within” on how to encourage reluctant readers & whet the voracious appetites of students who can’t get enough of the adventure of reading. Kris piqued our interest about web sites, resources, YouTube videos, graphic novels, and many more multimedia resources available to EVERYONE! Her excitement was contagious! Who do you know in your area with that kind of enthusiasm? Ask them to speak at one of your meetings this year or next.”

Catching up

Alayna making Gingerbread houses at YW


Blessing dress Kayla made:

Posted in the Iowa Reading Association Newsletter!

“Kristina Hart, library specialist for the Anamosa MS & HS, was our speaker in October. Her topic was “Ignite the Love of Reading from Within” on how to encourage reluctant readers & whet the voracious appetites of students who can’t get enough of the adventure of reading. Kris piqued our interest about web sites, resources, YouTube videos, graphic novels, and many more multimedia resources available to EVERYONE! Her excitement was contagious! Who do you know in your area with that kind of enthusiasm? Ask them to speak at one of your meetings this year or next.”

It’s official!

Last night Brandon asked Kayla to marry him and she said yes!  I will let her share details, but he asked her at a park pavilion- all decorated and lit up.  All around it were 16 pictures (for 2016) of the two of them, and on the back of each one, he had written a reason he loved her!  Then when he proposed, his family came out of the bushes and surprised her.  She said it was perfect!!!

We got a sneak peek of Tyler’s show choir when parents were invited to come watch a dress rehearsal after 2 days (13 hours) of dance camp.

Ive been trying out some new dinners:

Ive been doing Star Wars Kahoot with my classes at work.  One day when we went to sign on, I saw this.  Mr. Vaughn had logged on as this in another room.  What a stinker!

Kayla and Marisa :)

Cute stuff Kayla made: