More Christmas Togetherness 2019

This Christmas season went by very quick, in some ways it didn't even seem like it was Christmas! Between the kids' school schedules and Matt's work, it seemed like our windows of time to do our annual traditions were small. We were able to accomplish some things and had to be content with that.

After putting up the tree, we try to snap our family picture. This is something that we started when Kaitee was a toddler and have done almost every year since. It's fun to look back at the pictures and see how the family has grown. Of course, we have to reward the "good" picture with a funny picture!

I loved finding these pictures on the camera as I uploaded them to the computer...

I love taking pictures of the different items around the house during Christmas. I also enjoy sitting on the couch with my feet up, soft Christmas music playing in the background and just simply enjoying the beauty of the lights.

We did do a bit of driving to enjoy some lights throughout the area. We stopped in Kewanee one evening to walk around Windmont Park. Of course, we can't drive to Kewanee without stopping in Annawan for a yummy treat at Paxton's Corner Coop. We always enjoy their decorations as well.

Another evening we enjoyed a handful of the "dancing light" houses in the area as well as a quick trip up the river to drive through the Symphony of Lights in Clinton (we even tried out a new pizza place!). Coming back home, we were amazed at the beautiful tree outside of John Deere Headquarters. We ended our evening around 10:30 at Henry's Christmas Yard.

We spent an evening in Dubuque - visiting the "Reflections in the Park" drive through light display. We also found this crazy Griswald house!

Lastly, we spent an evening outside. We watched the "dancing lights" at Fejervary Park and then walked around Vandeveer Park.

We love Christmas and the many traditions that come with the season. This past year was a bit harder due to schedules and a shortened time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We made the most of our time together - realizing that sometimes it is okay to let a tradition go for the time being.

Merry Christmas 2019

Dear Loved Ones,

Somehow December has arrived and the Christmas hustle is in full swing! I’m not sure how that happened, but I am enjoying it! Listening to Christmas music while surrounded by the beautiful glow of Christmas lights is the best way to work on this letter.

2019 was a very busy year for us. I’m always amazed at the amount of things a family can fit into their day to day schedules. Just when I think we are maxed out, we have another commitment pop up! We are thankful for the time & energy that God provides us to accomplish these things!

We were able to visit some new states this year! Our Spring Break trip took us down south to finish out our Civil Rights tour with the kids. Over the summer, we drove to the Smoky Mountains and south into Georgia. It was a great trip with lots of fun stops to see God’s beautiful country. In June, we spent a weekend in Chicago to explore downtown and to take in a Cubs game at Wrigley. It was a great weekend – topped off with a “W” at home.

Maddie will turn 14 in January. She keeps busy at school with yearbook, choir/select choir, newspaper, art club and crime stoppers (she was elected President!). She made the volleyball team and they had an amazing season, going 14-0 in conference play. We just started practicing for Winter Club Season, which will go through April. Last March, we found out she had a lesion on her ankle and had to be in a cast with crutches for 2 months. Just about did her in! We praise God for complete healing!

Will also turns 14 in January. He tries his hardest to keep his schedule open - prefers to be at home as much as possible. He continues to play trombone in band/jazz band, sing in choir, helps build data programs for First Lego League and participates in Chess Club.  His passion is electronics and figuring out how things work. Last year, he started helping in the Tech Booth at church during the children’s service. This year, he has expanded his time to helping during youth group.

Alex is getting closer and closer to her 16^th birthday! We have a few more months before that happens, but it won’t be too long! She starts Drivers Ed in January. She, by far, is the busiest of the kids. She auditioned for Symphonic Band and made it (making 2^nd chair flute). She also participated in Marching Band – playing her tenor sax. Pep Band will be starting up in the next week or two, which she is pretty excited about. Her big event this year was the mission trip to Guatemala. What a wonderful trip for her to be a part of!

Kaitee is 17 and is enjoying her Senior year! She is definitely our homebody. She is also the first to offer her assistance if we need help with anything. Her & I went out twice this fall to snap some senior pictures – taking advantage of the beautiful fall colors as backdrops. She isn’t sure what next year will bring – possibly working full time? A few classes at our local community college? Time will tell. She loves to listen to all kinds of musicals, scroll through social media looking at cute animals and reading funny memes, watch Wheel of Fortune and read.

In April, Matt & I celebrated our 20^th! How did that happen? Due to a snowstorm (in April!), we ended up in Chicago for a few days. Even took in a Cubs game one of the afternoons. Matt is still working at NRS, delivering oxygen to vets. I am celebrating my 10^th year with Chick-fil-A this next summer. God continues to bless us with jobs we enjoy.

As we wrap up 2019, we look back and see God’s handiwork throughout the year. Next year will hold a graduation, a long trip out west to visit Matt’s family, another driver, the twins moving up to the high school, the last two out of braces and many more things that come with having 4 teenagers. Matt & I are thankful that God’s grace is sufficient for our every need!

We pray that you see God’s love for you throughout this Christmas Season. His greatest gift of love was given in the form of a baby – The Perfect King sent to Earth, to be a sacrifice for us. There is no greater love than that.

Merry Christmas & God’s Blessings in 2020!

Love,

Matt & Becki Hart

Kaitee, Alex, Will & Maddie

www.hartx6.blogspot.com

First Lego League Competition 2019

After months of practice - team building, researching, building prototypes for their project & their obstacle table and writing programs for their robot - Will and his team competed in the First Lego League competition. It was held at the John Deere International Headquarters.

Will's favorite part of FLL is the table. He loves to build the robot and attachments, he loves to write the programs for the robot. He takes ownership of it and does a very good job!

Pretty cool to be seated among the huge John Deere machinery! Will's team is seated in the far back left corner (under the back steps) behind the combine.

Unfortunately, we missed the cut to go to the state competition. Even though he won't move up, he has learned so much and will hopefully continue with robotics at the high school level.