2025 Christmas Music

 Here are a couple of videos from Ryan's first Tuba Christmas in Orange City, Iowa...

and the annual De Jong cousins instrumental concert. Enjoy!😊

Christmas 2025 Piano Recital

Here are some videos from our kids' annual Christmas piano recital. Enjoy!

Hannah playing "O Come All Ye Faithful"

Mary playing "Angels From the Realms of Glory"

Kara playing "Jingle Bells"

And in case you missed it... 

Here is a link to Evan's Christmas concert at Dordt. He plays trombone in Wind Symphony in the second half of the concert. They played so much beautiful Christmas music, and ended the evening with a fun surprise - Sousa for Christmas!
https://www.youtube.com/live/UQhZhhJACT0?si=OznJHdPX01HIqoZs

You can also watch Luke & Kara's Christmas concert at the link below. Lots of wonderful Christmas songs in this one, too, by Trinity's band and choirs. Luke even got out his cello for a couple of songs! :)

https://www.youtube.com/live/77kbJLl2DT4?si=4i9PCpVljGOqo2ck

And last but not least, you can watch our church's annual Christmas program live on Monday, December 22 at 7:00pm at the link below.
https://youtube.com/@doonprc9697?si=JZzOXuXNRFy8vtJZ

To God be the glory for the gift of music and the ability to praise Him in song for the greatest Gift during this joyous time of year!

NWIPRS Chapel November 2025

 Here are a few videos from chapel today... Enjoy! : )

(In hindsight I should have recorded the kindergarteners as well, but I just managed to get the groups our own kids were in, since I had Shane climbing on and off my lap while recording. ;)

Hannah with Grades 1 & 2

Mary with Grades 3 & 4

These are Jenna’s students :)

Ryan with Grades 5-8

Washington DC

 We spent last week in Washington, DC, and had a great time exploring our nation's capital. It's always good to travel and spend time in a big city, just to be reminded how small we are in this world. And it is good for us to remember that God is in control of all things, including the shaping of our nation, and those who He has placed in positions of authority throughout our history.

Here are some of our favorite photos from the trip. If you would like to see more photos, click here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/waFhBjE3CcwX35bm9

Lincoln Memorial

On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

Steps of the Lincoln Memorial looking toward the Washington Monument

We came home with way too many funny photos of the Washington Monument!

 

  

Vietnam War Memorial Wall

Korean War Memorial

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Looking across Tidal Basin with Jefferson Memorial in the background

Iowa pillar at the World War II Memorial

Washington Monument

At the top of the Washington monument

View of the White House from the top of the Washington Monument. Marine One was picking up President Trump! We did not see him, but we saw the helicopter take off a few minutes later.

In the nave of the beautiful National Cathedral

Kara & Jenna and Evan & Shane by the National Cathedral

 

They escaped from The Depths!

Shane looking patriotic at the US Capitol

In the Library of Congress

In front of the US Capitol building

Waiting for one of many Metro trains

Supper at Carmine's family style Italian restaurant. It was delicious!

By the US Navy Memorial

In the Museum of Natural History

Museum of Natural History selfie with a dinosaur

Walking past the White House. This was the closest we could get to it. Secret Service closed the sidewalk past it just as we walked up. Notice the snipers on the roof!

In The People's House, a full scale replica of the Oval Office

 

In the alley John Wilkes Booth escaped through after assassinating President Lincoln

They escaped from Prison Break!

Last night at our hotel. We all had a great time and gave Washington DC a 10/10! :)

If you want to see more pictures, click here:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/waFhBjE3CcwX35bm9

Spring Break 2025

Here is a little recap of our adventures last week...

In the airport elevator... headed to Florida!! :)

Hannah & Mary exploring the mangroves of the Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve, which was right behind our rental house.

A 6-person golf cart came with the rental house, and was great for getting to and from the beach!

Lunch at Frenchy's, thanks to a recommendation from one of the kids' teachers. The grouper sandwich was delicious!

Shane just taking a break on the steps of one of the shops in Clearwater. :)

We enjoyed the pool in the backyard of our rental house.

We took a really fun speedboat ride on the Sea Screamer, and got to see wild dolphins jumping and surfing in the wake behind us!

Next we visited the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where they had us pose for these entertaining photos. I couldn't pick a favorite... they're just too funny! :)

Time to build some sandcastles at Indian Rocks Beach...

And bury big brother Luke in the sand!

Getting some sunset pictures over the water... it was beautiful!

The next day we drove to Orlando to Disney's Animal Kingdom. We saw lots of animals on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, including flamingos. :)

Here we are by the Tree of Life

Same spot in 2021... thankfully no masks this time around!

And in 2015...

Hakuna Matata :)

Riding Expedition Everest... the main reason we wanted to come back to Animal Kingdom was that Mary didn't quite dare ride this one in 2021 and she always regretted it. She rode it more than once this time around and liked it way more than this picture shows. :)

Heading out on the Kali River Rapids

They got a little wet, but it was hot, so it was okay!

We spent the next day at Magic Kingdom...

Same spot in 2021...

And 2015...

About to set of on Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride (multiple times in a row.) Good thing for motion sickness meds for Mom or she would never have made it through! :) 

Headed into Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger spin... as with everything we did the entire day, Shane's reaction was, "Again! Again!" :)

We had a very memorable ride on the carousel with Drizella, one of Cinderella's step sisters. She was true to her character, and so, so funny! She insisted she was going to marry Shane, once he had time to grow up and acquire a lot of money. :)

It's a Small World ride :)

On the Tron Lightcyle Run

The girls had fun meeting quite a few of the princesses. Here's Cinderella...

Merida...

Ariel...

Jasmine...

And Rapunzel.

Space Mountain...

Tiana's Bayou Adventure (formerly known as Splash Mountain)

Meeting the characters from Winnie the Pooh's adventures...

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train...

And last but not least, meeting Mickey & friends during breakfast at Chef Mickey's...

We had a great trip and made lots of fun memories!
We really missed having Jenna and Evan with us this time, but they had a different week for spring break, and enjoyed their own adventures in New Orleans and Mexico. :)