VF Family Cooks up Holiday Cheer

The second half of our group arrived Tuesday night while we were out bowling. So Wednesday we could gather completely and let the fun begin.

Some years back we started a little tradition whenever possible of doing some type of service project as a whole family. Ken usually is in charge of getting it put together and the family supplies the labor. This year we made and decorated cookies to take to a shelter.

Ken and MarGene got us all aprons to help in our decorating efforts. Each family was a different color and we all had our names on them. The kids loved getting in their aprons and couldn't wait to decorate. No one complained or bickered one bit. It was a nice group effort to help all the little ones get creative.

I don't think any two cookies really looked the same. We had plenty to decorate so even the adults got a chance to show off some creative talent. We had a variety of different looking cookies when all was said and done.

The cookies were baked and frosted Thursday night while we were gone. We got to help with the decorating which was really the fun part. Kids would shout out which shape cookie they wanted to decorate and then what color gel or sprinkles. We had plenty of adults around to help out as the shout outs came.

I think it was fun for everyone to get in the kitchen and do their part. In the spirit of service it all went smoothly and everyone was happy.


After the decorating efforts the kids just played and hung out till our next event. We were gearing up to deliver the cookies to the shelter on the way to the Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park. I can't believe how well behaved our crew of 9 kids were. I think we are moving on for the constant supervision and on to the next stage of growing up.

Nice Try & Good Job

Jeff got a fun work Christmas party this year to help celebrate the season and all the hard work. In the past the parties have been more geared to adults so Jeff has usually gone solo. In addition, our kids have been a bit too young for some of the things that they have done. This year however was a bowling party and families were invited.

It did come on a night during our VF family gathering but we decided we wanted to go and celebrate with the UR company. Megan and Andrew were really happy for the chance to go and were excited for night time to come on Tuesday so we could go.

There was a nice buffet spread that we all enjoyed. The kids were super good for us and loved bowling. Andrew started off using a ramp to bowl and got sad after his first couple for tries when it didn't go the way he wanted. After that he abandoned the ramp and bowled regular. He had better success and was much happier. He would sit patiently and wait his turn. After each of my turns he would say to me "Nice Try Mom or Good Job." He was super cute and a great sport.

Megan had an equally good time. She was having a blast trying to get a strike. She was a good example for Andrew and a great helper. She took a few shots with the camera for me as well as would sometimes hand me my bowling ball to help out. As the kids get older these type of outings become a lot more fun and much easier to manage.

I'm glad we had the chance to go and mingle with Jeff's coworkers. It was really fun and nice to see my kids grow in their maturity. I look forward to our next family outing and the fun we'll have.

Dan & Roxi's Fam land in WA

Dan & Roxi's family arrived first for our annual VF gathering. Megan and Andrew were super excited to see their cousins. We didn't waste anytime with making plans as to what we wanted to do. First up was a sleepover of course.

I took the girls, Taylor, Megan, & Brianne. I then sent Andrew over to Ken & MarGene's so he could spend the night with Alex and have a boys night. I think this was the most peaceful over night I've ever had. The girls got along really well and I had no problems at all. We had movie time, popcorn, played Wii games, went to the mall and had a yummy McD's lunch. It was a really fun day for us.

I'm told that Andrew and Alex had an equally fun time. They played Wii games and had McD's as well. They were like two peas in a pod and got along great. It is nice to see him actually have a friend to play with and enjoy so much.

After we were done with our separate days we waited for Jeff to get home from work and gathered for some Round Table pizza dinner and then Zoolights. The weather was cold but it was a nice clear evening and we didn't get any rain. We had some spare gloves and hats to gear up with and enjoy our night together.

It's kind of hard to explain the beauty of Zoolights. The pictures don't seem to do it justice. It is really a very nice set up and well done. I always enjoy just taking it all in and marveling at the hard work to put it all together.

We had a great couple of days visiting with Dan & Roxi. It was nice to have some one on one time. We were also excited for the second half of our group to arrive to make us complete. We really enjoy all the times we get to gather as a family. Each year we make some great memories and this years gathering was just getting started.

Cookies and Milk

Jeff is known around work as the "snack shack" or "special events coordinator." He is always putting together pot lucks or some type of eating event at work. Most often they are chili cook offs or BBQ's. They have had Mexican fiestas, pancake breakfasts, thanksgiving feasts, appetizer spreads, deep fried paradise, cookie throw down, salad fixings, grill cheese & tomato soup combo and more. Whenever they can come up with something new and interesting it becomes an event. Around this time Jeff is usually off shopping or messing up my kitchen.

Recently for the Christmas spirit they had a cookies and milk event. Jeff actually sent me pictures of the spread this time. He was thrilled with the turn out. He made something new called peanut butter and jelly bars. I haven't tried them but he tells me they are good. He even brought home a sampler platter for the family to try. We've been grazing on the left overs for a few days now. It was super fun to see what people made. I can't wait to see what the next event will be.

Our Little Reindeer

Megan had her 3rd grade concert today. It was the North Pole Musical and she was Comet the reindeer. She has been practicing in her room to a cd that they each got. I've been hearing these Christmas songs coming out of her room for a few months now. She has excitedly told me about practices and who was cast as which part among her friends. She was very excited to perform today.

Megan had a few solo lines in the concert as well as getting to sing a solo sentence in a song. She tried out for Crystal Snowflake because she liked the idea of being a fairy but when the parts were handed out after auditions she was given comet. She wasn't upset one bit and actually got into her part. She liked getting the fuzzy antlers and face paint on her nose. When she was lined up before the performance I got to see her and she was all a glow.

She did a great job and I'm so happy to have had the chance to go. They have 2 performances today. One this morning for the school and one tonight for families with working parents. It was cute to see Andrew watching her from his floor seat. We'll be going back again this evening for the encore performance.

I love the chance to support Meg in all that she wants to do. It warms my heart to see her grow into the big girl she is becoming. I'm her biggest fan and hope she continues to put herself out there and do the things that make her happy. Go Meg!!!

Award Winner

This last week I was the proud parent of Andrew. His support center teacher nominated him for an award in cooperation. Not sure his main stream kindergarten teacher would agree but we'll take it.

Andrew still struggles with main stream and wishes he could be back in the support center full time. It is a challenge for him to fit in socially and behaviorally. We are still working on issues although he has done a much better job lately. I'm proud of every little progress he makes and do my best to help him through the rough days.

Turkey, Family, Shopping & more

This year for Thanksgiving we headed to Jeff's Aunt's house to celebrate. It was so nice to see family and catch up. We had a great time and the kids were much better behaved than previous years.

A few of the ladies headed out for a quick thanksgiving day shopping trip to one store. We had some time to kill while we waited for the bird to cook so why not? Didn't find really anything but it sure got me jazzed for the black Friday shopping.

We had great company and yummy food. Megan even wrote a song that she sang to the group. I was impressed that she actually had the nerve to sing her solo. She was all grins once it was over and was glad she did it. Jeff's Grandpa entertained us with his 80+ strength when he got down on the ground for some push ups. It was so cute to see and I hope when I get that old I'll be able to get on the ground like that.

I'm so thankful for family and all that they mean to me. Each person brings something different to my life and that of my family. It's heart warming to reflect back on all those that have touched our lives and left us better people. I hope everyone had as nice a Thanksgiving as we did.