Beauty in the Winter

The kids and I got bundled up and took some photos outside this morning.  There was some white frost on the trees.  Along with the white snow, it was pretty bright, but we managed to get some fun pictures.  

Cake Decorating

Eli and Carly spent the night and for fun on Saturday, we baked and frosted/decorated mini 3 tier cakes.  

Each kid had their own cake to frost and decorate as they choose.  They picked blue frosting. 

 concentrating on the frosting

The finished products

We got a good picture of the kids and their cakes...

 Then the fun started.  They could eat them however they choose.  Dig in!

Eagles

For the past couple days, everytime I drive to and from work, there are a bunch of eagles in the same field.  

This picture gives you an idea of just how beautiful this scene was.  

edit:  The eagles were there for about 2 1/2 weeks, then moved on to warmer weather.  

To Honor and Trust 

Bridal Veil Island book 3

by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

This story is based in Georgia in 1913.  Callie Deboyer is a tutor for the Bridgeport family that spends their winters at Bridal Veil Georgia vacation establishment.  Bridal Veil is for wealthy families.  There are many staff that see that all the needs of the guests are met, along with many recreational activities to do on the island.  

The Bridgeport family has 3 children vacationing with them this year.  While getting the Bridgeport son to his tennis and golf lessons, Callie meets 2 gentlemen.  1 is rather straightforward and tries to impress Callie.  The other man is more impressive to Callie with his sincere personality and kindness.  Callie comes to have feelings for 1 of the men.  

Throughout her time on Bridal Veil Island, Callie is struggling with where God is leading her life.  Her parents are missionaries in Africa and encouraging her to join them.  Callie also has received an offer from a school in Chicago to teach.  She also doesn't want to leave the Bridgeport family - as they are like family to her.   

As time moves on, word comes from the Bridgeport family staff at home that there is terrible flooding and they need to get there to take care of things.  As the family is preparing to leave the island, one of the girls gets hurt and has to spend time in the hospital.  Things don't look good for her recovery, and the family's trip home is delayed.  This delay gives Callie a more clear picture of what God has planned for her life and where He is leading her.  

I love that these books are set in the 1900's but as I read them, I feel that the story could be taking place today.  I love the story and the characters in the book.  

Although this is the 3rd book in the series, I didn't feel like I jumped in at the end - I feel like each book has its own characters and story, with the main setting (Bridal Veil Island) as the common theme.  

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Homework - take 2

Some random homework photos...

 Caden doing xtra math on the computer

Allyson reading

Homework

The kids were doing their homeowork assignments and had to write sentences using their spelling words.  This was the end result.  

 Allyson we struggling with being focused on the task, and was ready to be done - taking a long time to get the sentences completed.  Note the 5th sentence - I love the teachers comment when it came back home - "Really?  I don't think so"  

This was Caden's completed assignment.  

Happy 8th Birthday Allyson

To celebrate Allyson's 8th birthday, she chose to invite 2 friends and go roller skating.  So, the next day (after ice skating) we picked up her friends and went out for pizza for lunch, then roller skating.  

 Emily, Krynn and Allyson

The girls had so much fun skating.

Cupcakes after skating finished the celebration

While dropping Emily back at her house, we had to pose in front of the igloo that her family built.  

8th Birthday - Caden

For Caden's birthday, he chose to celebrate with some friends.  They went for pizza and then ice skating.  

They had a great time.  

Caden spent most of the night like this - but it didn't stop him, he enjoyed the night!  (It is only his 2nd time ice skating)

Allyson helping Caden up...

Caden and his friend Will

Caden, Will, Thijs, Drew in the penalty box

a quick pic with mom

Allyson found her good friend Krynn at the skating rink, so she had someone to spend the evening with.  

The ice rink was closing and the boys were taking off their skates.  The Zamboni started to clean the ice.  Well, somehow he found out that it was someone's birthday - so the birthday kids got to ride on the Zamboni around the ice.  

Look at those smiles - so proud!

Then the kids got to see where the slush goes out of the Zamboni - opps~ they got a little wet!

Cupcakes to finish off the night of fun!

Gingerbread Cookies

This pretty much sums up my afternoon - baking gingerbread cookies.  YUM!

Picnic in December

On December 4 @ 4pm - we met Grandma for a picnic.  We had chips, juice boxes and cookies.  What a beautiful day.  Hard to believe that it was nice enough to be outside with only a sweatshirt on.