Happy New Year!!

The kids got dressed up for our New Years Eve celebration.  

 During the day we made noise makers to shake at midnight.  My mom had my brother and I make these every year when we were little for New Years Eve.  So the tradition continues.  We take two paper plates, decorate them, staple them right sides together and leave a small hole at the top and fill with pop corn kernels.   Then staple the opening up.  Shake and make some noise!

Around 9pm Mark lit some fire works he saved from the 4th of July.  This was really fun to watch. 

The kids got to camp out in our bedroom for the evening.  We stayed up and watched Shirley Temple movies.  The only ones to make it to midnight were Lulu, Levi and Mark.  Silas fell asleep first then Ila May and I fell asleep in our bed.  The kids woke me up right before midnight so I could celebrate with them. 

 At midnight we ran outside and used our noise makers and pots and pans to celebrate 2015!

Snow!!!

 Let it snow!

 They ran right out to the middle of the yard to their little fort.

 I ran upstairs to check on Silas who was napping.  So I took a moment to step out on the upper deck to get a picture.  

 We went for a walk around the lot next to us.

The kids did so great shoveling the snow.  

Christmas Eve 2014

 Christmas Eve our kids get to open one gift and it's always new PJ's. 

 The boys got matching PJ's and the girls got matching PJ's. 

 We went to our church's Christmas Eve service.  It's held in our friends barn.  

This is a picture of the church service. Very sweet and so beautiful. 

Lulu's Violin Recital

 Lulu and I have been both taking violin lessons for about 4 months.  Our teacher had a recital with the other students.  I didn't join in but it was sure sweet to see the other kids. 

Mowing the Lawn

 Our home is on an acre so we had to get a riding law mower to do the job! 

 Levi got to ride on it while Mark drove it out to the front yard. 

Mark's mom was in town visiting.  Here is Connie and Silas watching Mark work.