Here are a few videos from the NWIPR School chapel that was held this morning.
What a blessing to hear our children speaking and singing the praises of the Lord!
Our kids had a full 2 weeks off for Christmas this year, so we were able to squeeze everything in - Christmas with both sides of the family & extended family, a trip to Illinois, an indoor waterpark, sledding, dentist appointments, and more… : )
We were able to spend time with both Great-Grandmas while in Illinois.
What a blessing to be able to visit them and sing praises with them!
We always try to swing by our “old house” when we are in the area.
Yes, the swing is still there. : ) We have fond memories of this little house, the first we ever owned, which is well over 100 years old.
Lunch time with the DJ cousins
Ryan using his pants as a holster : )
Ballerina girls – Kara, Emma, Kaylee, & Brianna
Jenna & Kaitlyn were busy in the kitchen
We decided to take the train downtown to see the annual light display
at Lincoln Park Zoo…
Riding on the train
Ryan really enjoyed the train ride!
We made it! : )
With 15 kids 11-and-under and a single stroller in 25-degree weather…
We just barely caught the Metra train into Chicago, and then walked 2 blocks to get on the CTA train, which we thought would take us to the zoo. Unfortunately, we didn’t research this aspect of the trip very well, and ended up having to walk a full mile from the train station to get there!
We very nearly missed the Metra on the way back, and learned that if you stick your foot in the door to stop it from closing, and then put your child on the train with the conductor, they will hold the train while you go back for the rest of the kids that are running through the station trying to keep up with you!
Needless to say, the trip was a little more than we bargained for,
and it was an adventure we will never forget! : )
Making Christmas cookies with Sierra & Brooke
Posing in their new pajamas
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Making gingerbread houses with the VE cousins
Ryan really likes this book! : )
Sisters… Anna Joy, Valen Kay, Sarah Marie, Erin Lea, Sherry Ann, & Bethany Rose
Years ago we would ask our Dad if we could get a dishwasher…
He would tell us he already had 6 of them. ; )
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Making a splash at Key Lime Cove in Gurnee, Illinois
Jenna & Luke racing down the tube slides
Evan was trying to figure out when Jerron was going to pop out of the slide ; )
Water basketball
Ryan eating the last of the powdered sugar from the funnel cake fries. Yum! : )
Floating down the lazy river
Ryan jumping up and down… so excited about bowling! : )
Ryan, Paul, Jerron, Evan, & Luke driving racecars that bounced around when they went off the track or bumped into things. It was pretty funny to watch! : )
