Friday, December 27, 2019

Happy Holidays

We had a wonderful Christmas and hope you did too!

Our girls had fun matching this year...






"Helping" Mom wrap Christmas presents





Kara made some delicious reindeer brownies for her class Christmas party




Ryan's enjoying hanging out with Hannah during Christmas break




"Mary" (and Rosie) Christmas!








All ready for the Christmas program!




Hannah got a new hat for Christmas




Kara & Mom matched too




She's rolling over & is pretty happy bout it (for a minute or two anyway)




Making some Christmas goodies




One more picture with Hannah baby




And last but not least, here is a video of Mary singing with the preschool & kindergarten kids at our Christmas program. They sang their little hearts out! So cute!


Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Blessed Christmas!


*Jenna (16) has been enjoying the freedom of having her driver’s license, especially for getting together with her friends and getting to & from work at our local grocery store. She had a great time at the annual PRYP Convention in Michigan this summer. We always enjoy her beautiful piano playing, and she’s planning to start teaching piano lessons in the next couple of weeks.

*Evan (14) is our second licensed driver, as he now has his learner’s permit. He’s passed Jenna up in height, and eagerly anticipates playing baseball for Trinity next summer. He diligently practices both trombone & piano, and his efforts paid off when he was awarded 1st chair trombone in the NW Iowa Honor Band. He also looks forward to playing in the All Iowa 8th Grade Honor band concert in Des Moines next spring.

*Luke (12) really enjoys playing the cello. He plays basketball, gave cross country a try for the first time this fall, and especially enjoyed pitching to his Dad during a father/son baseball game this summer. He likes to read so much that and his siblings often have a hard convincing him to put down his book to do anything else.

*Kara (10) eagerly looked forward to getting her ears pierced for her birthday, and has been learning new ways to style her hair. She likes baking tasty treats and crafting all kinds of things, including sewing a beautiful quilt in summer rec. She loves to play the piano, and has also started learning to play the alto saxophone.

*Ryan (7) had a great time in taekwondo at summer rec this year. At school he enjoys being in a classroom of all boys with Grandma as his teacher. He has started taking piano lessons, and really seems to enjoy practicing. He likes to read, and recently discovered his Dad’s collection of Calvin & Hobbes books.

*Mary (3) loves all things pink, sparkly, and having to do with princesses. But she especially loves her baby sister! She is Mom’s big helper while the older kids are at school, and frequently tries to convince Mom to pick up lunch at the “sandwich store” (Subway.)

*Hannah (5½ months) joined our family on June 21, and she is one well-loved baby! She has a pleasant personality, and is a good sleeper (as long as she’s in her own bed.) She brings a lot of joy to our home, and we’re so thankful for her!

We wish you a blessed holiday season! ~the De Jongs

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Christmas 2019 Piano Recital

Today was our kids' annual Christmas Piano Recital, where we enjoyed many beautiful Christmas songs!

This was Ryan's first recital ever, as he just started taking piano lessons this fall.
He played "O Come All Ye Faithful"




Kara played "Away in a Manger"




Evan's song was " Hark the Herald" along with "Angels We Have Heard on High"



Jenna played "Sing We Now of Christmas"

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Photos from this Fall

Happy 14th Birthday, Evan!




He passed his driver's test & is happy to have his learner's permit!



Ryan, Kara, Luke & Mary had fun painting pumpkins




Mary loves to hold Hannah




Sleepy little sweetheart




Smiley baby girl




Mary getting measured at the corn maze





Mary made a snowman out of dough all by herself!




Hannah's happy to be hanging out by Mom




 She likes chewing on her "munch mitt"



Hannah in her pack & play by Mom while she's busy in the kitchen...
Mary's not too happy about it because she can't reach Hannah to give her hugs & kisses!




Baby it's cold outside! :)





Two girls in a blanket fort! Mary's excited about it. Hannah's not too sure.




Three princesses, all pretty in pink.




And last but not least, here's one of the songs from Evan & Luke's junior high combined concert on Monday night. It was a beautiful evening of praise!
(Evan's playing the piano & Luke is on the right side in a white shirt.)



Thursday, November 21, 2019

School Pictures 2019

Here are our kids’ latest school pictures...


Jenna, 11th Grade


Evan, 8th Grade


Luke, 6th Grade


Grades 6-8 at NWIPRS
Mrs. TS, Evan, Kyle, Wyatt, Jacob, Jenna, Katelyn
Collin, Luke, Lanae, Levi, Matthew


Kara, 5th Grade


Grades 3-5 at NWIPRS
Mr. P, Alex, Kara, Kate, Jacie, Charlotte
Calvin, Michael, Emily, Moriah


Ryan, 2nd Grade


Grades K-2 at NWIPRS
Mrs. VE, Tyler, Ryan, Noah & Reuben


Grades K-8 at NWIPRS

Jenna's photo by Lifetouch
All other photos by Michelle VE 

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Evan's Honor Band Concert

A few weeks ago Evan auditioned for the Northwest Iowa Middle School Honor Band. He made it into the band as 1st chair trombonist, and was also selected to be part of the All-Iowa 8th Grade Honor Band, which will play in Des Moines next May. Congrats, Evan! 

Here are a couple of videos from his honor band concert in Storm Lake last Saturday.

New Era Fanfare - https://youtu.be/_Y4z1M7DoyM



You're Welcome (from Moana) - https://youtu.be/2bY0QqJBeHQ

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

2019 Multi-Piano Duet Festival

Jenna, Evan & Kara recently participated in the annual Multi-Piano Duet Festival at Northwestern College in Orange City.
The theme this year was "Celebrate America!" and included some great patriotic songs! 


Kara & Jenna playing "Sleeping Beauty Waltz" & "Chopsticks"




Jenna & Evan playing "Maple Leaf Rag" & "Reflections of America"




A short clip of the finale, "Stars & Stripes Forever", a multi-piano TRIO played by the piano teachers. (And a peek at Mary enjoying the concert.) 😄


Thursday, October 10, 2019

Clay County Fair & More




 Mary waited in line a LONG time for this butterfly hat! 😊



 This entire display was made of balloons, and they just kept adding to it all day every day... It was pretty impressive!



 Ryan, Evan, Luke & Kara... ready to go for a ride!


There they go! 😀



Mary was disappointed that she wasn't tall enough to go on many of the rides, but she sure enjoyed this one! 



Happy Birthday, Luke!




Mary trying out the boys' new catchers' mask




She also likes to try out Hannah's baby gear... silly girl!

   



Hannah is so very loved...




and full of smiles!




Mary building a tall tower with Dad 😊





More baby grins 😄





Mary loves to swim!





Swimming on the last evening of September? Yes, please!




Nighty-night, tired baby girl! 💗