Letters are done:)

I put another layer of paint on the metal pantry cabinet.  Denny started to print the Christmas letter I finished while I was playing pickleball.  He figured out more info on the printer so it feeds thru the cardstock thicker paper.  There were 7 of us playing pickleball.  At home I did some laundry and stuffed letters in envelopes.  We left for Awana about 6:15.  Hurrah!!!   All the envelopes are stuffed, return address labels and addresses are on.  All ready to put stamps on and off to the mailbox you go!!  Photos from N.  Nutcracker school production. 

Full day!!

Slow awakening ... just the way I like it.  I helped at Orphan Grain Train in the morning, but scooted out for an hour to play pickleball at the rec center.    Now that's fun!!   I have started painting the pantry shelf 5 1/2 foot unit and should have taken before pictures.  My plan is to store different patterns of dishes on each shelf.  I wonder what the real name for it is???  At home we wrapped some more presents, I made soup and kettle bread and Denny started working Christmas list addresses.  Uffda!!  Now it is time to compose ... Lord, guide my thoughts as I write.   

Happy 15th Birthday TJ!!

We are wishing you the best birthday ever!!!  As you get older we are thankful for the character and caring heart that you show to everyone.  Have a great birthday, TJ!!!

Missy started a zoom call a before 7 to see some of the videos from the Nutcracker production.  It was so fun to see the little clips.  Denny went to work for Larson's but the tractor hoses weren't hooked up right and so he came home.  I played pickleball from 9 - 11. then went to check the car tire and get $ from First state to pay for Dubuque stay.  I had texted Jeff M. and bought an old medicine cabinet from home.  I think it will be pretty cool in the bunk house.  We wrapped Christmas gifts after lunch.  Denny went to Denison to do some shopping and I brought in the metal storage unit to clean and paint.  At night there was a home school mom's Christmas dinner. 

  

 

Headed home

At 6:30 Jason got boys ready for eating and playing with magniblocks down at the breakfast area.  I spent much the early morning in the breakfast area.  It's a good place to touch  base with family as they come to eat.  Our kids left after a 9:30 breakfast.  Lord, thank you for the time we could spend together.   We checked out about 11 and drove to Manchester.  It was so good to spend some time with Pat and Dureen.  We ate at a Chinese restaurant and went to their home for dessert.  It took us about 4 hours to get home. Great weekend.  

  

  

Saturday December 4 in Dubuque

 Up and down to breakfast area.  Jack joined me around 6:30.  The area was filled with family.  The boys sat so nicely with me while Jason went out for a run.  Mandy wasn't feeling the best, she spent most of the day in the hotel room.  Swimming for all others from 9-11.  I visited in the platinum room that our family rented for the day.   At 11 the food came.  At 12:45 Santa, Granny Claus and the elf appeared with gifts for the kids.  (It took 2 of us to replace Mandy's turn as Mrs. Santa.    Then charcuterie boards were the hit at the children,  Fun time, but missing the Henderson jokesters.  I love this weekend to reacquaint myself with the lives of siblings, children, nieces, nephews, and all the Grands.   So much to be thankful for.  We ordered pizza and swam before it came for supper.  

  

East to Dubuque

 I love to spell Dubuque .... lots of constants with 3 u's.  The boys were awake about 5:30 so I went in to lie with them for about an hour until we got up.  Denny made breakfast and they played so nicely, sharing toys, moving chairs (working together). Denny was outside getting acquainted with his new truck.  We left for Dubuque.  Tyler was asleep before we left Arthur.  Jack was asleep about an hour into the ride.  The truck travels pretty smoothly.  We made plans to stop to see Pat and Dureen on the ride home Sunday.  I worked on putting some pictures together on PicArt.   Jensens are part of the Nutcracker production for KISC.  It makes this Gma's heart sad to have them so far away, but my heart is encouraged and challenged by their first Friday letter.  Lord, Thanks for equipping and leading them in N.  May Your will be done.  We plan to get to Dubuque about 3 ish.  Matt & Kane are riding with Luke's family.  Cooks are coming after work.   It should be a fun weekend with the Newhouse crew (minus Gail and the Hendersons and some others).

December 2 Cherokee night-time Christmas parade and NEW Truck!!

It was a slow wonderful morning.  Snuggling, falling back to sleep and then coffee in the sunroom.   Great to be with my honey!!  There was a big funeral today and so we had to wait until the afternoon to go to the bank and Beckman motors where we bought a 2014 F 150 Ford Platinum ruby red pickup.  So sweet.  I drove so I could head to study at Ginny's when we were done in Odebolt.  I made a quick stop at Doses (got some hats)  and Dollar General, then I met Denny and we took our new pickup to Cherokee.  We used Jason's Jeep and picked up the boys at Daycare and then drove home to their home.  I fixed brats and we headed into town a little before 6.  At 7:30 we are headed home with the boys in the back seat.  They will spend the night and go with us to Dubuque tomorrow.  They slept on the floor. Nice day!!!