Christmas Piano Recital 2017

 Sunday afternoon was Madi's annual piano recital!

 We met Grandma, Grandma B, Aunt Shelle, Uncle Cody, cousins plus my cousins Kirk, Melanie, Klay and his girls and my Uncle Junior at Rosa's for lunch before the recital. 

 Our girl is officially getting older since she was on the back of the program this year. 

 It's adorable to see all the kiddos, especially the little ones, up there playing.

 Madi's turn . . .

 She messed up and started over then played it beautifully!

 Ms. Amy's whole crew!

There's something wonderful about hearing your daughter play beautiful music!

Cousin Sleepover!

 Day 16:  Fred left another scavenger hunt of clues all over the house.

 Biscuit kept wanting to help too! 

 The scavenger hunt ended with a cute Christmas mailbox and elf notebook under the tree!

 The day had finally come that these two had been waiting for! 

 They had a daddy-daughter Star Wars movie date planned for months complete with their matching shirts.  They reserved the perfect seats too!  I enjoyed getting my hair done while these two were gone.

 Saturday evening we had the little cousins over for a sleepover which worked perfectly since we had been planning on getting them to go look at Christmas lights anyway. 

Baths, pajamas, ice cream, and off to look at lights!

 Day 17:  Winter came along with Maci and Tucker so we were excited to see what our two elves came up with Sunday morning.  Winter had been sick with a cold so they tried making donuts it appears!

 Thankfully, Daddy/Uncle Matt came to the rescue with the perfect donuts for breakfast.

 Next up was getting everyone dressed and hair done for church!

After church, we're all in for a treat of more Christmas music at Madi's piano recital!

More Christmas Music!

 Day 11:  Fred brought Madi some root beer disguised as reindeer pulling his sleigh!

 Monday

 Tuesday

Day 12:  Madi hid Fred in the Santa cookie jar.  Daddy found him first!

Monday night and all day Tuesday Tech hosted the US PREP convening.  I usually have to travel this weekend every year so it was nice being in town.  Casey's kids spoke since their teacher (a Tech Teach alum) was the keynote speaker.

 Wednesday

 Day 13:  Fred brought Madi some sour Pez for her Santa Pez dispenser.  She ate some before I got a picture.  :)

 Wednesday we had PD for the Site Coordinators and we all wore ugly Christmas sweaters and brought yummy food for lunch.  This is a great group of ladies!

 Wednesday night Madi sang at the nursing home with her church group. 

 I love that they do this every year.  I especially love how the kids walk around afterward and tell the people how much Jesus loves them and to have a Merry Christmas. 

 Devyn and Madi had a wonderful semester at Missions & Music at church.

 Day 14:  Madi hid Fred deep in her stocking.  I found him first!

 Thursday

 Thursday night we had the privilege of watching Maci's Christmas concert at her school.  She had the best grin all while singing!  They sang songs in all different languages even sign language.  It was a very moving concert.

We had to get a picture with the star of the show after it was over.  :)

 

Day 15:  Fred left Madi a challenge to try and find the 10 candy canes he hid around the living room in under 2 minutes. 

 Her reward was a bank of her favorite candy Tootsie Rolls!

 Friday 

This is the last weekend before Christmas!  Last minute gifts and some family fun are in store!

Christmas Concert

 Day 10:  Fred left trivia questions for Madi to answer that led to a new snow globe.  We put a family picture in it!

 Sunday morning, Madi and the children's program sang in both services.

 Madi and her church friends!

 Kinder through 5th grade singing.

 Matt and I knew Madi was part of the praise team and that they had been practicing each Wednesday night but we were both surprised when she started singing a solo! 

 And she had three sweet back up singers too!

 Sunday evening the children's program sang before the Search for Baby Jesus event started.

 Technical difficulties meant they sang without music!  

 And they did a great job! 

 Then it was our time to tour the Search for Baby Jesus program. 

Last year we played the family traveling for the census.  This year our friends the Wharff''s played the part.

Our children's program at church does a great job keeping the kids involved!

Gingerbread House

We bundled up and went to Cold Stone for ice cream for Madi and then looked at Christmas lights around town on Friday night.

 Day 9:  Fred left a scavenger hunt for Madi that led to a gingerbread house kit.

 Saturday morning Madi's friend Elly from school and swim team came over for a play date.

 I had stuff for them to bake and decorate Christmas cookies plus they ate lunch and played in the hot tub.

 It warmed up Saturday afternoon so Madi and I enjoyed a quick bike ride around the neighborhood.

 While dinner was in the over, Madi decorated her gingerbread house.

 All done!

We enjoyed a quiet Saturday evening after the crazy day we had!