KINDERGARTEN STAR

Last week was a special event in Ella's elementary years. It was her turn to be "Kindergarten Star" and the week was full of special memories for her. On Monday, she brought in a poster of her life -- captioned pictures that included her family, grandparents, cousins, special trips, favorite toys and fun events from her life. Each day she brought in a show & tell (Mr. Bear, Webinz, Littlest Pet Shop digital pet). She also was asked to complete a personal information sheet which she shared with her class. Some information she shared included:

• "My favorite thing to eat is noodles & butter"
• "My favorite place to go is my cousins' house"
• My favorite kind of animal is dolphins"
• "When I grow up I want to be a veterinarian"

On Friday, Eric, Avery, Grandma Susan and I went in to share some fun things with her class. Ella asked Eric to do a science experiment (an activity that they love to do together). So Eric and Ella made a "vortex generator" out of a soda bottle and a tupperware lid and demonstrated a vortex by blowing out a candle from a distance. Avery conducted a "melt race" with ice cubes. And we were each asked many questions by Ella's kindergarten friends (e.g. "What is your favorite wild animal?"; "What is your favorite shape?" etc.)

To finish off her week, Ella was allowed to bring home a giant Pooh bear. Pooh came everywhere with us, including HighSchool Musical on Ice and to Syracuse for an overnight with the Spicer cousins.

It was definitely a week to remember for our precious little 5 year old!

YOU'LL ALWAYS BE MY BABY

"You'll Always Be My Baby" is the perfect daddy-daughter song. Last night at bedtime I caught Eric and Ella dancing in the kitchen as Sara Evans crooned on the radio. As you can see by their joyful smiles, she truly is his baby!

BEANBAGS

The most requested Christmas gift this year? Beanbags! So at the last minute, we re-thought the gift list and on Christmas day Avery & Ella were delighted with one pink and one purple beanbag chair. I must admit, Eric and I have enjoyed them many times after the girls have gone to bed! So comfortable for reading and resting, and I love the removable covers!

SPA DAY

While Mom & Dad were attending a wedding, Avery & Ella got to stay with Aunt Coleen, Uncle Jerry, Sammie & Ty. So much fun! Cousin Sam brought out all of her spa supplies. The girls were pampered with manicures, pedicures and fancy hair-do's -- complete with glitter! Cousin Sammie has agreed to attend Avery's spa birthday party and provide the same delightful services!

SPECIAL TIMES WITH OLD FRIENDS

This past weekend was both joyful and sad. We attended the wedding of Maria's close high school friend, Liz. She married the man of her dreams and she looked beautiful! The reception was wonderful -- the funniest toasts ever and an amazing band. It was so fun to catch up with Robin & Andre, Tim & Amanda, Jackie & Chet, Darcie & Denise. We had a ball.

Upon arriving at my sister, Coleen's house,we got the news that Maria's close friend, Christine's, dad had passed away. I spent many days and nights with Christine (aka T.T.) and her family throughout my high school years. It was bittersweet to visit their home and spend time with their family -- Bud was a kind and gentle man and he will be missed.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Whew! My blog is caught up for 2007 and now we are on to 2008! We brought an extra kid home from the Tillis celebration this weekend. Kelli spent New Year's Eve and Day with us and the girls had a ball. In Kelli's words, they played "Littlest Pet Shop [slash] Polly Pockets [slash] Ello" for two days straight! Eric expressed his gratefulness that our family room doesn't always look like that when he gets home from work (picture a tornado of tiny toys). We are still finding 1/4 inch Polly Pocket shoes around . . .

The three girls and Eric built our first snowman of 2008. There wasn't much snow, but it was good packing!

A TILLIS CHRISTMAS

Christmas celebrations were wrapped up this past weekend in Vestal with the Tillis family. Mom & Dad postponed their trip to Florida so that we could all gather together for some family fun. With 9 cousins (ranging in age from 5-15), who are like best friends, it was a wonderful time together. Highlights included karaoke and dance moves on the Wii, someone ran over "Rudolph" in front of Coleen & Jerry's house, and not enough food (yeah, right!). We missed Grandma Hall being with us.

For more photos of the Tillis Christmas 2007, see our "Christmas Photos 2007" link in the left column.

CELEBRATING CHRIST'S BIRTHDAY

Christmas Day is always a special day at our house. Our good friends, the Dundores, came over mid-day to celebrate Jesus' birthday with a party. Avery recited the Christmas story from Luke 2, we sang Christmas carols (accompanied by Maria on the piano), and we enjoyed a special birthday cake in honor of our Savior. My favorite memory of the morning was all of the kids singing "This little light of mine, I'm gonna' let it shine . . . Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine" while they held their glowsticks high.

Thank You, Jesus, for coming to this dark world to save us from our own sin. Thank You, that You were born to die for us, taking the penalty of our sin upon yourself so that we can be pure and righteous in God's eyes. Thank you that it is by Your grace we have been saved -- that we don't have to be "good enough". Thank You that by our faith in Christ alone, You have assured us an eternal home in heaven. Come soon, Lord Jesus!

To view more photos (taken by Susanna) from our Christmas Day celebration see our "Christmas Photos 2007" link in the left column.

A CONNOR-WEISENSEL CHRISTMAS

The Connor/Weisensel Christmas was a fun and multi-event celebration. On Christmas eve we all gathered at Mom & Gary's house, as traditional, to exchange gifts, play games and enjoy family time. After several rounds of "Apples to Apples" and too many cookies, the cousins exchanged gifts and received fun gifts and stockings from Grandpa & Grandma. The only sad note to the evening was the absence of (Great) Grandpa White, Jeanine and J.R. We missed their presence greatly!

On the 26th, the Connor boys and families joined together with Aunt Sheila and Uncle Emmet for more food and gifts. Again, we missed Jeanine, but this time it was Bailey who was under the weather.

To see a slideshow of photos from this first round of Christmas cheer, see our "Christmas Photos 2007" link in the left column.