Winter Holiday Concert

Emma has had the joy of being involved in a local strings program for 5 years now. She plays violin, as most of you know. She has done so well in the program and is now in her second year as a first violin. She loves it and feels so privileged to be in this unique public school program, as a home educated student.

Her advanced orchestra performed these beautiful and fun numbers...

Holiday Mix featuring Frosty the Snowman, Chanukah, Silent Night, arranged by Jennifer Spleit

Sakura, Sakura, a traditional Japanese Folk Song arranged by Elliot Del Borgo

Best of the Beatles featuring Got To Get You Into My Life, Michelle, When I'm 64, Get Back by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, arranged by Calvin Custer

In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edward Grieg, arranged by Robert S. Frost

I actually got a little choked up when they played the Holiday Mix for an encore again at the end of the concert and the audience started singing along to Silent Night. It was surprising, since this was not a *Christmas* concert but a *Winter Holiday* concert. Very touching.

Bob was unable to go, but we were glad that our friend, Janine, could accompany us.

Emma, we are very proud of you! We love hearing beautiful music flowing from your room whenever you practice and we are thrilled that you want to bring glory to the Lord in your playing. Keep up the hard work. Love you, sweet girl!

Blessings!

Great Day, part 2

Since many of our church family will be going home or away for the Christmas break, we had our Sanctuary West Christmas party last night, which was the second part to our fabulous day!

A little food...
A little laughter...
A little cookie baking...
A little poker...with occasional cookie winnings...
A little Wii playing/watching...
A lot of sweet memory-making with people we love and are thankful to have in our lives...

I just cannot say enough how much God has blessed us and how much I love my life! Thank You, Father!

Blessings!

Great Day, part 1

Yesterday was a busy and fun day!

First, we were given tickets to the Toronto Raptors game!!! Our friend, Brett, won the tickets from Rona but then had a scheduling conflict and passed them on to us. It was our first time to go to the ACC and to see the Raptors play!

We were in a box/suite sponsored by Rona. Amazing view and free food and drinks! Wow!

The security on the court was baffling! Six security officers per side...

And in case you're wondering who we cheered for...definitely the winning team!

Brett, we're sorry you couldn't use the tickets. Thanks so much for thinking of us! We had a GREAT time!

Part 2 of our great day coming later. Right now we're off to Emma's Christmas concert!

Blessings!

I Love Surprises!

While we were playing at the park and on a hike with our friends this afternoon, Bob was setting up our Christmas gift from his parents!

The sun was trying to peek through the clouds...we're expecting our first real snowfall tonight!
When we got back home we told the children that we wanted to have a *family meeting* in the basement. They thought they were in trouble (well, Ben did anyway...check out that look on his face). We waited to see if they would notice something new...

Austin was so busy reading his Star Wars book that just came from the library that he didn't believe Emma's exclamation of "we got a Wii"!!!

We've all been enjoying the fun! And the fact that the nosiest, snoopiest kids on the planet had NO idea that this was coming made the moment even sweeter.

This will definitely be called *recess* on those too-cold-to-go-outside-for-very-long winter days.

Thank you so much, Joe and Jacque!!!

Blessings!

Science Centre Fun

We have enjoyed a membership to the Ontario Science Centre for the past two years and went again for more fun yesterday! Emma had just been there with our friends, Vince and Sam, for the Body Worlds exhibit, so we catered to the younger four this time.

Blessings!