A Christmas Surprise!

Dave's mom (Granny) pulled out all the stops this Christmas and surprised the girls with a very memorable experience in Grapevine:  A night at the Great Wolf Lodge and a trip on the North Pole Express train!  They were so excited, and we all had a fantastic time!  Thank you, Granny, for your generosity and the fun time we got to spend with you this holiday season!  

Katelyn and Anna's reaction when they realized where we were going. :)

GREAT WOLF LODGE

 

NORTH POLE EXPRESS

Katelyn's Christmas Ballet Recital!

Katelyn had her first ballet recital in early December. She did such a great job, and we were so proud of her!  Her class is the Dragonflies, and the song they performed to was called "Winter Wonderland."  She is the first one to come out on the back row.

Shoebox Packing Party!

The past few years we have participated in a project called Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse.  It's pretty simple.  We take a shoebox, pack it with appropriate items (toys, school supplies, hygiene item, etc) for a girl or boy in an age range of our choosing, and drop it off at a nearby collection site.  The box is then shipped to a child in one of many places around world.  Although we may not ever know the name of the child who receives it, we know that it has the potential to be life-changing.  God's love is demonstrated in a tangible way and then shared by the local church in that area of the world.  

Because we have enjoyed this project so much (and have had the opportunity to volunteer at one of the collection sites the past three years), we decided to share the love and have a "Shoebox Packing Party!"  So instead of us just packing a shoebox by ourselves, we invited friends to buy items for their own shoebox, and then party while they pack!  We ate breakfast, drew pictures to include in our boxes, watched an inspiring video, and had a blast!  We will definitely be doing it again next year!