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"