More Christmas Festivities

Shock of Shocks, Lynelle is posting not one, not two, but three posts in December. And if I'm really feeling like an overachiever, I'll post shortly after Christmas too. One thing I forgot to blog about in my last post was my Great-Grandma Endress's 90th Birthday party. They had a nice meal catered at the fellowship hall, and we(some of the great grandchildren) served it.

 The helpers

 Me and Miss Josie Shae.

 Isn't she the cutest thing ever?

 The cake

 All the grandchildren were sitting at the round tables, and the children and their spouses sat at the long table with Grandma.

 Is she not the most photogenic baby ever?

 These two are crazy, especially when they are together.

 Great-Grandma Endress

 You can't NOT have ice cream when you are with the Endress'

The table decorations were nicely done.

 

This last weekend was also pretty busy. We had Christmas H.O.P.E. on Friday night, which I think I mentioned. My secret sis was Kourtney Stahl, which I suspected. She was seriously awesome. I had Jamie Joos. The one present that I did get her was a 12 days of Christmas basket. H.O.P.E. was on the 13th, so I gave it to her on the 1st, so she had a present to open each day until H.O.P.E. Here is what I gave her, and the day it matched up with.

Partridge in a Pear Tree- pair of socks

2 Turtle Doves- Turtle and Dove chocolate

3 French Hens- Chicken Noodle soup

4 Calling Birds- Jesus Calling and a His Eye is on the Sparrow notepad

5 Golden Rings- Peach Rings

6 Geese A Laying- Pillow

7 Swans A Swimming- Sunscreen

8 Maids A Milking- Milk Chocolate

9 Ladies Dancing- Slippers

10 Lords a Leaping- Water bottler

11 Pipers Piping- CD

12 Drummers Drumming- A drum of popcorn

So that's the one gift I gave her besides the present I gave her for Christmas. On Saturday night, I went to Bishop Hill with Amber Ehnle, Jaylyn Knobloch, Kristy Kieser, and Hannah Schick. We ate at a cute little bakery for supper. Then Hannah had to scurry off to get ready for her concert, so I introduced the girls to the general store. I hadn't been there in a long time, so it was kind of fun to relive my childhood. Then we headed over to Hannah's concert, which sounded so good. I wish I had a video of them, because they sounded so good! We met up with Alivia and Victoria Stoller and Larissa Herrmann afterwards. We headed over to the little one room school house for a barn dance. It was so fun. I felt like I was in Laura Ingalls Wilder books or something. Such a fun weekend.

 Look how cute this town is. I love the little lights framing the sidewalks.

 They sounded so good! So proud of Hannah:)

 My friends are cooler than your friends.

 Rows and Rows of candy...

 Hannah and Amber.

 Love this girl so much!

 Kristy, Jaylyn, and Me.

 Eating supper at the cute little bakery. Notice the mason jars. How cute is that?

Barn Dance time. So much fun!

 

Sunday we had the Christmas Program at church. Mom said that once you turn twenty you can't get a bag of candy afterwards. I saw some over twenty year olds getting bags of candy, so I figured it must be ok, so I got one too. And of course afterwards, when we got home, we all got in our pjs and ate some of our candy. After the girls went to bed, Sophie got to stay up a little longer. She was wired from all the candy. I figured out that her wired is different than Tessa's. Usually Tess is bouncing off the walls and going nuts, but Sophie just talks your ear off. She talked for ten minutes straight. Hardly took a breath. And she was making up story after story. It was the funniest thing. Maybe some day I'll post the video I took of her.

 

 

I started doing Thursday night Bible studies with Jaylyn Knobloch and Paige Ehnle. We've done one so far and it was on Mary the mother of Jesus. I went to high school with both of them, so it's so fun to reconnect and get to know them on a deeper level. We all have grown so much spiritually since high school, so our relationships with each other are so much deeper. I'm so excited to start this.

So blessed by these girls.

 

And that's what my last part of last week consisted of. Hope you are all enjoying this wonderful Christmas season.





Christmas Time is Here

The Christmas season is in full swing, but that's pretty obvious. I absolutely adore the Christmas festivities. I have to take time and and remember what Christmas is really about, because I often get so caught up in all the Christmas activities that I forget the miracle of the season. One thing that really set the mood was obviously putting up all our Christmas decorations. And on Sunday, we had all church caroling. This is the 2nd year we have done it, and it was a great turn out. Afterwards we had a chili supper(delicious) and yet another Christmas singing. It was snowing the whole time we were caroling, and while others were complaining, I was simply enjoying it. Christmas time is the only time I like snow, otherwise I really despise it. My car has been playing Christmas tunes for over a month now. I don't know if you all realize this, but I loooove Christmas music. Last Monday at the Nursing Home, I ran over to the books and picked out the Christmas Hymnal, because it was finally December and I didn't want to sing out of anything other than Christmas books. Maybe a little selfish, but then again, Christmas is only for a season! I've already made to kinds of Christmas cookies, which have not lasted long, but I guess cookies aren't necessarily made to look at. This weekend, we have Christmas H.O.P.E. I'm excited to see who my secret sister is, although I think I have a pretty good idea. She is an amazing secret sister though. Way better than me. I'm horrible, and Mom says I shouldn't do it next year:) I gave one gift this year, but I think it was a pretty good gift. I'll write later what is was since we haven't revealed ourselves yet. On Saturday night, Hannah Schick has a Christmas concert with her homeschool co-op at Bishop Hill. I am going with Jaylyn Knobloch, Kristy Kieser, and Amber Ehnle. It will be lots of fun. Bishop Hill is having Lucia Nights this weekend and it's so cute! It's a little quaint town that is historic. During Christmas, it's all decorated and you can walk in and out of the shops. My favorite it the General Store, because there is rows and rows of jars of candy:)(a small weakness of mine) So here are a few pictures of my Christmas adventures thus far.

 I had to laugh when I saw this set up. Sophie was obviously playing with our Christmas decorations. The poor shepherd looks like he is looking up at that huge snowman, trying to figure out what it is.

 Back in it's rightful place.

 Me and Sophie in our ho ho hats as she calls them:)

 Christmas tree...I just learned how to make bokeh with my camera.

 Stockings are huge by the chimney. Yes that is mine, and yes it has a scarf...

 Christmas shopping is officially done. I was sooo excited to get it done with!

 And Christmas isn't Christmas without the cookies.

                                     
My little helper unwrapping kisses.

Here is a video I saw on someone else's blog that I thought was so cute and fitting. Everything about Christ's birth was unexpected! Take a few minutes to watch it and you will find yourself smiling by the end.

And here is a Sophie funny for you all to enjoy. Today as I was looking at something on the computer. She was sitting in my room watching me. She is always just jabbering to herself, so I have kind of learned to tune her out. So she was talking and I vaguely remember her saying "I love you." She repeated herself again, "I love you." I continued tuning her out and she must have gotten very frustrated because she said, "I SAID I LOVE YOU."
Have a wonderful few weeks until Christmas. Hopefully I can do another post by then. Hopefully is the key word:)

Best Black Friday Deal

I went Black Friday shopping with Holly Funk last Friday, and got some pretty good deals. My favorite by far was the Cake Pop maker for $7.00 from Bergners. I've always wanted to try one out, so I thought why not just buy one if it's that cheap. Turns out if works amazing(so far). I've made Breakfast French Puffs, which remind me of muffin/donut hole. I wanted to try to make cornbread balls in it too, and they worked great. So here are some pictures of the final products. Kind of a random purchase, but well worth it:)

I'm thankful for...friends

I'm am so grateful for my friends. God has blessed with amazing sister in Christ. They encourage, chastise, and challenge me so much. Sometimes I try to imagine life with out my friends, and it's really depressing. So, here's some of my friends. And I have lots more, but I'm not the best at remembering to take pictures.

 Ryan and Ashley's wedding earlier this year. Thanks of letting me be a part of your big day!

 Fishing with Victoria and Katie one summer evening.

 Time spent with the High School girls in Princeville.

 Mystery Trip 2013 with these girls. No we did not rig the number system, it just happened that way.

 Two of the best friends a girl could ask for:)

On the ride home. What a weekend. We were all extremely tired, so there may have been lots and lots of giggles. For those of you who are wondering where we went, it was Bay City, MI. Another church for many of us to cross off our list. It was such a great weekend, and I'm so thankful I did decide to go.

I'm thankful for..

I'll be doing a couple of posts on what I'm thankful for. Of course, I can't do enough posts of what I'm thankful for, because it would never end. God is so good! I have blessings innumerable! The first thing I am thankful for is my family. God has given me two wonderful parents, who teach their children what is most important in life. Thanks Mom and Dad for the examples you are to me! And then of course my 5 sisters who I could not live without. 

 Photo credit:KayNicPics. To Rhea: Thanks for putting up with your embarrassing older sister:) And for having a heart for those who are hurting and need Jesus! Keep shining your light and being an Christ-like example.

 To Cassie: Thanks for being the "tomboy" of the family. I am glad there is someone who is willing to do the chicken chores. And thanks for being you and no one else.

 To my family: Thanks for shaping me into the person I am today. I appreciate all you do for me.

 To my crazy sisters: I love you guys:)

 To Claire: You can always make me laugh at your dumb word mix-ups and blonde moments. I don't think there is ever time when I don't laugh when I am with you. Keep being yourself.

 To Mom and Dad: Thanks for being there for me through every moment of my life. And for your godly advice. God knew I needed both of you as parents, and I'm so glad you are, even if sometimes I don't act like it.

 To my littlest sister: Where to even start. Thanks Sophie for always showering me with love. I love when you run up to me when I get home from work and say, "LYNELLE, I missed you." I hate and love watching you grow up. Just slow your growing down a little bit.

To Tessa: Oh Tess, you make me smile. You have a smile for everyone, and can cheer me up on my worst days. You have such a way with making friends and being a leader. Even though you are still kinda little, keep it up. One day you will come to appreciate it more.