The Gifts of Christmas:

Merry Day after Christmas ya'll!! I wanted to share a few moments from our Christmas day. Unfortunatley, I hadn't charged my camera battery, so I missed a few special moments, but here are some I did catch:
1st: The great game opening:
Next: I had an idea in early December for a gift for Josh. I ordered it right away, but it wasn't sent for a week after. Those Jewish people don't seem to understand the Christmas rush! ;-) So I made Josh a unique little card:
Yup: A cut-out jewish dude
And inside was a "Tallit" or prayer shawl to put on him. Josh loved the card and gift idea. he even thanked me for thinking of him in purchasing a gift he hadn't asked for (although he said he thought of it) but really wanted!!
Luke had meticulously saved ALL his birthday and Christmas money planning to buy a guitar. Little did he know I had secretly ordered the one he wanted so he had it for Christmas. he was pretty creative with his picture taking of the Seagull mini-jumbo acoustic electric

I hear Zuri got alot of dolls for Christmas. Charlie and I bought her a very life-like little doll that comes with accessories and says 28 phrases, giggles, and cries, depending on how you hold her and which accessory she is using. Even I want to play with that doll!!Hosanna enjoyed her keyboard from super grandma. Zuri had a giant horse from super grandmaAnd Josh's brother Matt particularly enjoyed his Disney princess collection:

Christmas CookiesI

I have made these same cookies since my youth.. back when my favorite cookie cutter was a fancy reindeer cookie! The tradition continues:Luke made a santa-ish thing out of dough

The C-Zone 4 Lukes B-day

Saturday night we hung out at the "C-Zone" or "CornerZone" where Hannah is getting a coffee shop ministry going in connection with Youth For Christ. It is right across the street from our house.. so how much fun is that? Son-in -law Josh and son-of-an-old-friend Seth were among the acoustic offerings provided

Luke chillin' and listening to the music with friends

then we surprised Luke with cake for all:We sang to Luke:

luke sang to us:
Happy Birthday Luke!!!

catching up...

First; Hannah bought Renee a lady bug outfit. Pretty.. uh, cute, huh?

And equally cute was Zuri and Hosanna at our first visit to Marquettes Childrens Museum. We played grocery store for a while: Zuri had fun playing drums

Hosanna was a little uncertain when Mr. Turtle came out to greet her:

And she got to slide down a tongue. How much fun is that??!!

We also got to attend Lukes first wrestling meet with Marquette. He had two great matches.

Its blurry but I had to add it: The Winner!!

Happy Thanksgiving to All and to all a good night!

Before I begin my long journey downstate to see the Trojans play for State Championship (woot!) I thought I'd share a few scenes from the day with ya'll!

Calling All Relatives!!

For the FOURTH year in a row those Forest Park Trojans beat the odds and are heading downstate to battle for the title of State Champions! I will be travelling via the fan bus to the event this year... all alone... so I am really, really hoping that my sisters love me enough to show up at Ford Field Friday to watch the team play!!! Here is all of us Red & Black girls at the final playoff game Saturday: (even our eyes are red)

It was nice having the last playoff games at the Superior Dome close to home. They were great games too! Very close scores. That Trojan team just rises to whatever challenge is given them very impressive.

The 50's & Sleep Seripis

Our Church hosted a 50's party October 31st. Joel was a little worried his "costume" wasn't an accurate portrayal of the 50's and he wouldn't fit in. You decide:

My friend Tammy looked awesome:

Luke contacted a band he loves "Sleep Seripis Sleep" who, for the cost of a sticker for my guitar case, crashed at various places throughout my house after an all-night youth lock-in they played at. Pictured here after they ate all of Charlie's Peanut Butter Captain Crunch and other breakfast type items as well as lots O coffee:

It was fun having them!

The Legend of Sleepy Holler

Luke has done it again! Another entertaining and fun play starring the one and only... (drum roll begins) Son of Joni... (increase tempo of drums here) LUKE WOOLLEY!!!

Let us begin with Luke introducing himself to a villager:

And a brief dancing scene:

And lastly, Ichabod is pursued by the 'Headless Horseman:" (a bit blurry to start)

The things of fall

The weather this weekend was perfect! Peak colors and 70 degree weather! Here's some of what the U.P. does best: produce beautiful fall colors.
Charlie and I walked up a local "mountain" here and snapped some nice fall samples:

And Fall, of course, also means Football:

Joel plays football, Charlie has a birthday

Joel is playing a little Pop Warner football. Here hr is, No 10 walking off the field
And an action shot! Go Joel!

Afterwards there was a little party for Charlie. Son Zach worked hard on a great dinner
Hannah made the cake
Hosanna brought alot of cuteness

And of course a birthday song:

Ontonagon, MI

Charlie and I discovered a really beautiful strech of beach when we drove to Ontonagon to see Lukes football game yesterday:

And Check out Luke in great form....
And making a tackle! Woot!

And just cuz God Loves Luke He placed a rainbow at Lukes game: