Christmas: Pageants and Presents

 Christmas Eve Eve
Our annual Barman Christmas was held on December 23rd this year...or as the kids liked to call it, "Christmas Eve Eve". We enjoyed Chick-fil-A catering and lots (LOTS) of treats!  Becki's mom put together another wonderful pageant with the kids acting out the story of Jesus birth, from the viewpoint of the shepherds.  We even had sheep this year!

 The Shepherds and Angels (Luke 2:8-10)

⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

 ^{Luke 2:13 & 14
13} Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

 Luke 2:15-20

¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. ¹⁷ After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, ¹⁹ but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ²⁰ The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

 After the pageant and talent show, we introduced the kids to some games. The first game was the Saran Wrap Ball game.  You unravel the ball until the person ahead of you rolls a double. Then your turn is over and it moves to the next person. There was lots of candy and a special surprise at the end of the roll! It got intense a few times!

 We finished our night with presents.  The kids took turns opening their presents - because they all had the same things in their stockings, Will chose to turn his back so he couldn't see what he would be getting.  While turned around, he admired all of Grammy's ornaments...

While Matt got some ear bling...Grammy & Grandad each got a Fitbit to help track their steps and activity (like they really need that...I don't think they ever slow down!)

 We finished our night with a few rounds of Heads Up.  A fun, interactive game - similar to Charades or Catch Phrase. The kids did great (adults still kicked their butts though!). It was fun to play something as a whole family!

 Christmas Eve
It has become a family tradition to attend the Christmas Eve service at church and then eat a later lunch/early dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  Judging by the calendar, I'd say it's a good tradition!

 The kids started a new tradition this year - they became "Secret Santas" to each other.  They each drew a name from a hat and did some shopping over the next few weeks.  With a $5-$10 limit, they each knew what they wanted to get!  No one knew who got who until Christmas Eve. After Texas Roadhouse, we watched the Nativity Story and then they opened their presents from each other.

 Kaitee received a Harry Potter Pop Funko doll from Will.

 Will received more baseball cards from Kaitee.

 Alex received some make up brushes from Maddie.

  And Maddie received a bulletin board from Alex.

 A very successful gift exchange!  We look forward to amping it up a bit next year and continuing this tradition!

 After the kids were in bed, Matt & I enjoyed the quiet stillness of the night. 

 Christmas Morning!!
 I love that the kids sleep in on Christmas!  It gives me a few extra minutes to sleep in, yet still start breakfast before they wake up.  I got the egg casserole in the oven and then started making the monkey bread.  We then enjoyed opening some presents!

This year, all the kids received a "Cubs" item...
Will opened two boxes of baseball cards.

 Maddie & Alex each received headbands.

 And Kaitee received a Bryzzo t-shirt.

 While most of the items weren't surprises for the kids...I still tried to find a few things for each of them that they weren't expecting.  I love seeing their faces when they are truly surprised...and like the gift!

Maddie is my "headband girl" and LOVES the TV show Survivor.  A buff from the show is a perfect gift for her!  And yes, she was shocked! She also received two Lego sets and a new volleyball.

 Will received one present - the one thing he REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted...Destiny's Bounty Lego Set!

 Alex asked for a new music player and some clothes.  She also received a scarf and an Eeyore Pop Funko.

 Kaitee - she asked for Pop Funko Dolls and things that were out of print!  Well, considering I had a tight budget, I scraped the out of print things and went for the Pop Funko dolls.  I surprised her with this t-shirt and pencil case (little characters from Hamilton).  It's amazing what you can find on Etsy!

 Matt gave me this box, haha!  Luckily, the inside items were wonderful! ; )  A Cubs fluffly blanket and a Cubs license plate frame.

 Some of our gifts from the kids - our last year of shopping at the Awana store. 

 Matt was in need of a new bag for letterboxing - we'll give this one a try!

 We finished our Christmas morning with yummy monkey bread and egg casserole!  Merry Christmas everyone!

Music, Cheer & Legos - Winter 2017

The twins performed at their first choir and band concert (for middle school) a few weeks ago. All of the kids did such a great job!

Cheerleading clinics were held at the end of the school year, last year. Alex said that she would like to try out.  With no tumbling or dance background, and a shy/quiet personality...we encouraged her to try but didn't truly think she had a chance at making the squad, given her competition.

Well, she tried out and MADE IT!  While she awaited the phone call, I kept playing the scene from The Middle in my head!

We've enjoyed watching her as she cheers for the boys basketball games.

 While Alex was in full swing of Cheer practice, Will participated in First Lego League. It wasn't what he anticipated (I think he thought they'd build with Legos) but he absolutely came to love this club and thrived in it.

From the First Lego League Website...

Tomorrow’s innovators practice imaginative thinking and teamwork. Guided by adult Coaches, FIRST LEGO League teams research a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS^® technology, then compete on a table-top playing field.
It all adds up to tons of fun while they learn to apply science, technology, engineering, and math concepts (STEM), plus a big dose of imagination, to solve a problem. Along their discovery journey, they develop critical thinking and team-building skills, basic STEM applications, and even presentation skills, as they must present their solutions with a dash of creativity to judges. They also practice the Program’s signature Core Values.

Will especially loved helping with the robot build and programming. 

The first Saturday in December, we spent the day at John Deere Headquarters (just down the road) where the team presented their project as well as competed on the tables with their robot.  While we didn't advance to State, we had fun and learned what to expect next year!

We're on the big screen!

After all of that excitement, Will was super excited to open his new Ninjago City Lego Set.  This set - all $299 of it - was purchased by Will!  He saved his money, sold some of his old Lego sets, did odd jobs around the house, etc.  He saved and saved (and amazingly didn't spend!).  It's a pretty cool set if I say so myself!

Here's the Finished Product!  He had a blast putting it together and playing with it.  It has even motivated him to put together other sets that have fallen by the wayside.  He displayed the set on the kitchen floor than set the timer on the camera to take his own picture!

Merry Christmas - 2017

Dear Family & Friends,           
                                                                                                       
It is 67° outside and sunny – hard to believe it is early December in Illinois!  It seems hard to get into the “Christmas Spirit” when you would rather be outside, enjoying the fall like temps!  However, the calendar and my “to do” list show that Christmas is a few short weeks away so I guess I’d better get to work!

We continue to be a very busy family.  I honestly think our schedules get crazier with every passing year!  It definitely makes us thankful for the quiet nights at home. 

This past year was a fun year with a big vacation to the East Coast.  We toured DC and the surrounding area (so rich in history!), traveled down the Outerbanks of North Carolina, and ended our time in Baltimore for a Cubs game!  Ten great days with lots of wonderful memories made!

Matt just passed his 1 year anniversary with Northwest Respiratory Services.  He is still delivering oxygen to Vets and drives up to 200-400 miles a day!  We are very thankful for God’s protection while he drives that many miles.  He stays active in church with bible studies, helping on the security team and meeting with a few men during the month for prayer and fellowship.

Kaitee – 15 ½ . **Deep breath** She is looking forward to taking Drivers Ed in January. When did this happen? Kaitee has a joy and love for life that I don’t find in many other people.  She always has a hug and a smile on the ready.  Most days, you will find her with her ear buds in, listening to a Broadway musical. This summer she was given a life changing opportunity to travel to Guatemala with church.  She LOVED it!  Another highlight of her year was being elected Treasurer for the high school French Club.

Alex – 13. Alex keeps our calendar full!  She loves music – flute, saxophone (jazz band), school musical and choir.  She auditioned for the Select Choir as well as tried out for cheerleading – making both! She is also involved with WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) as an 8^th grader this year. She had a long summer of Physical Therapy to work through some knee/leg pain she was having. Because of this, she wasn’t able to participate in Cross Country as a runner. She did enjoy being the manager though! We are thankful that most of the pain has disappeared.

Will & Maddie – 11. They are loving Middle School.  This is the first year where they are in different classes – I would say that they like that!

Will joined Cross Country this fall and then participated in First Lego League. They just finished their “season” with the regional competition this past weekend, held at John Deere Headquarters.  His teacher pulled me aside and told me that Will has found his niche with the programming and Lego Robotics building.  What a wonderful thing to hear! The trombone is still his choice of instrument.

Maddie also ran Cross Country – she was given the recognition of “Most Improved” for the 6^th grade girls. She and Will are both in the 6^th grade choir.  Maddie also is on the yearbook and newspaper committees (with Alex). Her favorite school activity is decorating lockers for birthdays. She’s used her own money to purchase streamers, tape and candy! She has many ideas and is ready to present one of them to the school counselor this week (regarding a new club). She’s always two steps ahead of us – keeps us sharp, I guess! Ha!

All of the kids are involved with church activities – childcare, worship team, youth group. After 13 consecutive years attending Awana, we are in our final year (seems hard to believe!). Alex and Kaitee volunteer their time while Will & Maddie complete their last year of participation.

We adopted two guinea pigs this spring – Rosie and Carmel.  I never thought I’d give in to having animals in the house.  It was a nice surprise for the kids and they do a pretty good job of taking care of them. 

I am busy shuffling the kids back and forth to school and activities. I enjoy it most days! During the quiet evenings, you will find us at home watching the latest episodes of The Middle or Survivor (and the Cubs during baseball season) or playing games as a family.  I am still with Chick-fil-A (7 years) and love how the job fits my strengths. Last year I was given the “Employee of the Year” recognition.  It was a humbling honor, to say the least.

We pray that you are doing well and finding joy during this Christmas season. 

Have a Merry Christmas & a Blessed 2018!

With Love,

Matt & Becki Hart

Kaitee, Alex, Will & Maddie

Grandpa Ken Visits - Nov/Dec 2017

Grandpa Ken flew in for a week long visit earlier this month.  We had a wonderful time with him!  The kids were in school all week, so he got a taste of what our typical week looks like. 

He got to watch Will participate in the First Lego League competition.  This was held at John Deere Headquarters - so we got to explore some pretty amazing tractors! The second picture is of the family while we watched the competition, high in the rafters!

After the FLL competition, we loaded into the van and headed to Peoria for the remainder of the weekend.  We were looking forward to showing Grandpa a few of our Christmas traditions...

Saturday night, we drove straight to the Festival of Lights in East Peoria.  Here's our annual "waiting in the car" picture! 

We were lucky and didn't have to wait too long to get in to see the lights.  We headed to dinner than found our hotel for the night. The kids swam for a bit then everyone headed to bed.  It had been a long day.

 

The next day, we woke to sunny skies and headed out to show Grandpa some of fun things in Peoria.  We were surprised to see this new statue along the riverfront.  Doing some research, we found out it's called "Return Visit" and that Peoria just got the statue from Chicago in September.

Our last stop for the day was The Community Festival of Nativities. My sister told me about this last year and we decided to give it a try. We were so glad that we took the time to see it.  Here's Kaitee, admiring a set from Guatemala.

Of course, our time with Grandpa would not be complete without a trip (or 2...) to Whitey's to indulge in delicious ice cream!!  Will decided that he wanted to savor his ice cream, so he asked for a sample size spoon every time.  I'd say that his face shows the pure delight that Whitey's brings!

We've often wondered why Whitey's includes a straw...They just don't work!!

Our time with Grandpa was wonderful!  Here's a few pictures of us just being funny. 

At one point, Matt tried to put this box over his body (the same box that went over Will's body...completely covering him!).  It was pretty comical as Ken walked over to Matt for a nice Father/Son picture.

New Christmas Ornaments - 2017

 New Christmas Ornaments - 2017 Edition!

We put the Christmas tree up over Thanksgiving break and decorated it the day after Thanksgiving.  As is tradition, the first ornaments to go on the tree are the new ones we present to the kids.

Alex was first this year.  We couldn't decide on the flute, saxophone (learned to play so she could join jazz band), guitar, choir (plus select choir which she had to audition for) and the school musical.  Because we noticed a musical theme, we went the "general" route and found this beautiful snowflake made out of old hymnal pages.

 Kaitee, Kaitee!  The highlight for her year would be the mission's trip to Guatemala!  We saw this passport ornament and knew that would be ideal for her!  We also found a map of the country online, which included Guatemala's flag.  We shrunk it down and adhered it to the back of the ornament.

 Maddie and her Shopkins!  While she could care less for the show, she loves to collect the pieces!  She comes up with some creative games as she "plays" with the pieces too.  Sometimes it includes her collection of bouncy balls!!  Don't ask me, I'm clueless!

 As a reward from one of the summer reading programs, Will picked out a Sudoku book.  He didn't know what to expect when he picked it out.  We left for vacation the next day and he quickly figured out how to do the puzzles (driving for 14 hours allows time to figure out things like this!)  Since August, he has gone through 5 books and continues to take a book with him wherever we go.

 I added some new ornaments to my collection as well - a few to remember our vacations as well as a Cub's World Series Trophy and Marquee!  I love our Christmas Tree and the many memories it holds.