The Ramsey Family

We were blessed to have lunch with the Ramsey family from NYC. Kelly & Bonnie went to high school together and have remained very close. They arrived in K.C. to spend Christmas with their family, but took a little time out for lunch with us! We love to spend time with them, just wish we had LOTS more! (Bonnie is holding their oldest, Alister, & Matt is holding Magnolia (7 months old) LOVE YOU GUYS!

Isabelle's Christmas Party

Isabelle's Christmas Party at school was last Friday. . . she had a great time with snacks, games, crafts, & more. It was fun to see her class & meet some of her friends. We found out that the teachers aid in her room is from St. Paul, KS and knows the Redfords. Small world!

This is Isabelle's table. They rotate tables every month so she gets to sit with new kids.

Here was pin the tail on rudolph.

Isabelle made a beautiful snowflake with patterned beads.

Her final station was the cookie decorating - - yummy!

Isabelle's Christmas Cookies

Isabelle came home after school today and decorated Christmas cut out cookies. She labored over each cookie - it was a great little project for her, she was very proud of her creations & did not want them sitting around for long. They were yummy!

John Michael's Christmas Party

Today was JM's last day of school before Christmas break. . . he had his class Christmas party with a surprise visit from Santa. It was very exciting. Santa asked what he wanted and he said a race car - Santa asked "like Nascar" to which he replied "yes". They talked a bit about getting a REAL Nascar race car & then Santa asked if he wanted anything else - JM replied in a very serious manner, "actually I'll take 2 big race cars." Nana, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa - anyone have ties to Nascar????? Just kidding . . . I think he's getting something from us that will satisify this desire, at least I hope. I don't know if I want him racing cars some day. Look for pictures on the blog of Christmas goodies to see what it is!!

Here JM waits anxiously to sit on Santa's lap. He had such awe & yet was very reserved, which is amazing for him.

In these 2 pics, they plated a game called "feed the snowman". First they had to carry a cotton ball to the snowman's mouth on a spoon without dropping it & then they had to balance it on their heads. JM got a big kick out of this fun game!! Great for your house on a cold day!

His craft project was a magnetic foam tree with star decorations on it.

This also marked his official last day of preschool at this school. He and I are going to hang out next semester and use the homeschool materials I had for Isabelle for preschool. He is pretty excited to spend time with me & get to do big boy homework like Isabelle. We are both looking forward to our extra time together.

Welcome Home Platter Family!

Scott, Lynn, and Alek Platter

It is a blessing to walk in community with others and celebrate together the goodness of God. Our prayer group gathered last night at the airport to welcome home our dear friends, Scott & Lynn Platter and their son Alek. They meet Alek in a Russian Orphanage when he was 9 months old, it was Christmas day 2005. Their LONG journey of waiting ended as they stepped off the plane in K.C. last night to return to their home. They have been gone awaiting court dates in Russia since Oct 16 - so I'm sure their home felt like "home sweet home" last night. Lynn & Scott have been such an example to many as they waited and trusted God's timing. I know He has done great things in them and will continue to do great things in them as the parenting journey begins. I hear Alek had a great first night & is adjusting. Please pray for them and especially little Alek - that he would know Jesus at a very young age. Thank you Lynn & Scott for sharing your hearts & your lives with so many. May God bless you this Christmas in amazing ways.

Aren't we a cute bunch!

They were the first off the plane and I can't tell you the excitement & joy we felt.

Alek was a trooper, but with only 2-3 hours sleep after 18 hours of travel, he was exhausted. He stayed very close to daddy and got lots of snuggles.

Welcome Home Platters, we rejoice with you! One journey is over another is beginning.

Snow Days

Saturday December 15th was a SNOWY day for us in K.C. Kevin worked 18 hours while the kids and I enjoyed a quiet day at home. It was especially quiet for me because the kids wanted to be outside "ALL day" - which translated to about 3 hours total. They had a blast. They came inside and we made Christmas trees - which you'll see in process. We enjoyed our snow day, but we are so thankful to have daddy back home & to see the sun again!



Here they were pretending to be at "work", doing something with the ice they chunked off the swingset. They were irritated that I asked them to stop so I could take a picture.


Many of you know, JM rarely has a "normal" smile. He likes to be silly. He keeps Isabelle & me laughing all day!

More bags

This weekend we were inside due to ice/snow stuff . . . so I pulled out the sewing machine to finish some projects.

This bag I made for my friend, Jennifer, who loves Peyton Manning. My aunt Paulette sent my the Colts fabric from Indy. . . "Thanks Aunt Sissy".

This bag I made from some scraps from my friend Suzie . . . It turned out really cute - I ended up with 2 small purses, one for Isabelle & one for her friend's b-day! I hope she likes it! Isabelle is enjoying using hers!