School Christmas Fun...

Good Shepherd Nursery School Christmas Program-

Landon and Bethany were so excited about their Christmas program that morning when I dropped them off at school. I don't think they had a clue about the large crowd they were about to perform in front of.
They just love helping out in any way they can. They are so cute!

Bethany knocked my socks off by her performance. She sang her heart out...

did All the hand motions...

and kept a smile. Brian and I were so proud of her!

Brian has always been a "Big Kid" at heart. He was the only parent in the whole room sitting on the floor with the kids. Don't you know Bethany was loving every minute of it!

Bethany and Jack Vourdouris are in different classes at school, but have been good friends since birth. They were born only 10 days apart.

Bethany was so overwhelmed after the performance that getting this picture was a fight.

Enjoying some sweets with Grandma Marilyn.

5th Grade Christmas Party-

The fifth grade class made gingerbread houses at their class party. Love the smile!

The amount of food available at these class parties always amazes me. The kids eat like royalty.

Mr. Wickline had just as much fun as the kids.

Siblings rake out pretty good at the class parties, too.

Keagan is loving school this year...especially when the class store is open.

Making paper Christmas trees at the class party. Brian supervised this station. The kids just love it when Brian works in the classroom. Notice Keagan's "Christmas" shirt. Brian and I had no idea what he had on under his sweatshirt until he came home from school that day. Boys...Boys...Boys

5th grade Mission trip-

Hailey had a great opportunity to spend the day serving the less fortunate in our community.

The day started out at the Craftsmen For Christ warehouse assembling care packages.

Kids will be kids. If there is down time...they will find a way to fill it.

Friends always make work fun.

Next, we traveled to the Rescue Mission in Marysvillle for homeless men. This was definitely an eye opening experience as the kids toured the housing facility, smelled the filth, passed out scarfs which were made by students at F.C.S. and shook hands with the residents.

Then, we traveled to a residential care center for the elderly, sang Christmas Carols, and greeted the residents. Again, the kids were touched by the love and appreciation that the residents had for their visit. It was evident that many of these residents do not see visitors on a regular basis.

The day ended with a pizza feast at Primetime Pizza in Marysville.

Brian and I are so blessed to be able to participate in most of our kids' school activities. We just love being engage with the things that are important to them.

Decorating for Christmas...

This year I was a little apprehensive about pulling out ALL the Christmas decorations. With a baby on the way and the many holiday events to attend, I wanted to make sure that Brian and I were not getting ourselves in too deep. Christmas is behind us now and I am so glad that the clean-up is light. Here's a look into our families holiday preparations...

In early November I purchased, Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas Treasury for Kids.

We read a story a day from December 1 through Christmas day. The kids looked forward to this special time together each night before bed. The week before Christmas we included our traditional, kid-friendly, interactive nativity, What God wants for Christmas.

The kids had fun taking turns with the guitars and singing Christmas Carols.

Hailey has always wanted to string popcorn for the Christmas tree, so this year we popped the popcorn, popped in a movie and started stringing. Two hours later we were no where close to being done. We all have a deepened appreciation for the numerous popcorn strands on Grandma Warta's tree because of the love and sweat that went into making them. Next year, we will try to add to this years collection.

Hailey was still having 'fun' in this photo.

It is our tradition that the youngest child gets hoisted up by dad to place the star on the top of the Christmas tree. This won't be Bethany's last year but her years are numbered. The grand finale of our evening has traditionally been for each one of the kids to open a new ornament from Brian and I. The new ornaments usually represent something special in their lives for that year. The kids really look forward to this tradition.

Hailey is in her second year playing the violin and still loving it.

Several years ago, Grandpa Loren wrapped up a jar of mini dill midget pickles as a prank. Every year since, Keagan counts on a jar of pickles in his gift from Grandpa and Grandma Warta. His new ornament was a "pickle in a jar".

Bethany loves purple and wants to be a ballerina when she grows up.

Hailey helped Bethany decorate the tree that Landon cut down for her. Thank you, Big Sis for always stepping in when your needed. Dad and I appreciate you so much!

Thank you Cousin Landon for thinking of me again this year!

Yes, Bethany and Keagan are on the roof helping daddy put up the Christmas lights. I couldn't look so Hailey snapped this photo.

Hailey won First Place for the 12 and under category in a gingerbread contest for the Plumas stroll. She received a $50 savings bond from Butte Community Bank for her Fire Station 4 Gingerbread House. We are all so very proud of her.

Bethany and mommy skipped a nap one day while the big kids were in school to make a gingerbread train. We had a blast!

Our Thanksgiving Festivities...

A Fire house Thanksgiving-

Brian was on a 72 hr. shift over Thanksgiving so the kids and I spent Thanksgiving at the firehouse with about 2o other fellow firefighter family members; some we met for the first time while others we have known for years. This was the first time in Brian's career to host a Thanksgiving dinner at the firehouse.

Before dinner, Brian took Keagan (8) and Austin (8) out behind the firehouse to shoot bows. Austin's dad is the firefighter who works on Brian's shift. Earlier this year, the two boys traded their quad and motorcycle for one week. The two boys have gotten to be pretty good friends. Brian and Chris will be working together in 2010 so the boys will get to see each other a lot.

There is always plenty of food at the firehouse! Thanks Captain Dave for cooking!

Hailey (10) and Shawna (12) have palled around together now for eight years! Brian and Dave have worked together for so long they qualify for a Common Law Marriage.

Dining in the apparatus bay.

Penterman Thanksgiving-

Traditionally, we all get together the day after Thanksgiving.

There's still 21 of us. Next year we will be adding at least one more family member. Pretty soon we will not fit into the camera's frame.

You two started ALL this!

Soon to be married- Destiny and Brandon Holloway

The empty nesters with their two grown children, Destiny and Josh.

The Penterman 6- Brian, Michele, Justice & Triplets- Trinity, Journey & Felicity

The Brown's- Cameron, Lacey, Randy, Amber, Corey & Foster baby girl

Brian shooting the 22 with the boys before dinner.

Brian, you're shrinking!

There is too many of us so Thanksgiving was moved out to the garage.

Great-Grandma Freida Brugman(94) and Great Aunt Karen joined us for Thanksgiving!

Cute Justice!

The young adults.

Keagan and Corey decorating gingerbread boys.

Hailey & Lacey won't let Grandma Marilyn's tradition of decorating gingerbread houses die.

The Wii buddies!

Felicity is always full of grins.

Journey enjoying a story with Aunt Angie and Cousin Bethany.

Felicity and Bethany are two peas in a pod!

What a blessing it was to all be together for the Holiday!