CHRISTMAS 2018

Another Christmas has come and gone. It was a great Christmas this year. Sure we stayed home, we missed a bunch of family gatherings, and we all got really sick, but there were many things that were quite enjoyable.


This year we bought a real tree. It smelled and look lovely. The kids enjoyed setting up the decorations around the house, and decorating the tree. They said to themselves how much they love the decorations. I remember as a child being excited as well for the transition from the normal to the Christmas décor, and how that brought me joy to help set up the house.


We got the Christmas Village out and set up, we got the nice Advent calendar out, which the kids loved turning over the numbers each day. we got out the wreaths and the Christmas music. We watched the Christmas shows while we were sick. I enjoyed the time at home with the kids.


We even sang a lot of Christmas songs that we found on this TV station Karaoke. Wade loved the Hippo song, and Macie loved the Santa and Mommy kissing song.


Christmas Eve we tried some traditions, The kids dressed up as Mary and Joseph and we set up a small stable and hung a star. The kids acted out the story as dad read it. We sang more carols, the kids opened up their pajamas, and we cleaned up the house and watched Christmas Chronicles and ate chips and pina colodas which was lovely. Then we got ready for bead.


Wade was up really, really ,really early. I think the first number on the clock was a 4......
He ran up to our bedroom and gave us all the updates..


Guys Santa Came...
Guys Santa ate his cookies and drank his milk, he left part of his cookie.
Guys I got a Hat


It was super cute.

We got rolling around 650 opening up stockings and presents. The kids got Sleeping bags to help for the canoe trip this summer.


and Mom pulled off the big Christmas meal. Keeping the tradition alive that we had as little kids. except I ate like 10 lbs of mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, the stuffing and turkey ..while our kids eat the buns and nibble on what they have too.... man did they miss out. and the chocolate cream pies were delicious.

Building the CandyHouse

Joseph, Mary and a pink sheep

Early New Year

Macie sleeping by the Real Christmas Tree

MACIE TURNS 7!!

This little beauty of mine turned 7 last week. She got an early Birthday present when we were in Edmonton for Kansas' Doctors appointment. We got her Ears pierced at Claire's. She was so excited and has been loving them ever since. The actual day of her Birthday, Dad was still at work and Macie wasn't really getting any presents, but I still wanted to do something sweet for her. So I copied an idea from my friend and I decorated her Door with Money, Candy and some notebooks. She was so surprised in the morning and so excited, Mom definitely filled her bucket. Then on Saturday we invited the Ellis family to come skating with us for Macie's Birthday, then back to our house for a pasta dinner and some cake and Ice cream. Macie had requested a Lion cake so I went to pinterest and found one that would be pretty easy to do. She was so excited when she saw the cake all done and decorated. Macie had a blast skating but when we got home she started feeling not to great. She spiked a fever and ended up falling asleep on the couch, not getting to eat any of the delicious pasta and Lion Cake. Poor girl!

My 7 year Old!

They don't make them much better then this girl. Macie is kind, sweet, a hard worker, determined, independent and loves making others happy. She is almost always thinking of others and finding ways to be sweet and fill peoples bucket. She loves writing notes to her family and friends, Me and Mark are finding notes and pictures endlessly in our bedroom. Macie has come a long way with her reading, she is doing so well and has developed such a good attitude for her nightly reading. She is doing great at school and got all 4's and 5's on her report card. She still loves swimming, biking, skating and skiing. She loves crafting, colouring and writing notes. She is going to Dance two nights a week, Tuesday is Jazz and Ballet and Friday is Hip Hop with Wade. Monday after school she does Piano lessons and her Piano has had huge improvements this year with more consistent practicing and longer lessons. She just loves being a goof ball and having fun. We just love this sweet little girl so much and are so grateful every day she is in our family.

API 570

Yess finally got my next inspection course and certification.  I was able to complete the course in Oklahoma through Mark Smith Training in early October and the weather was amazing. And the colours were so beautiful. On the flight down I met some amazing people. From Edmonton to Denver, I met this fella who works in the Oil patch on drilling side, who was from Saskatchewan originally and was as white as i am but  was a full blood First Nations. He told me all about his hunting excursions and how they use all the meat, hide and guts from each animal.
The next fellow I met whilst in Denver while waiting to board the plane to Tulsa was a fellow that goes to Church  with the McBrooms and said to say hi to them. Super Small world.
Once I got to Tulsa, i got my Chevrolet Impala and drove the 1hour north to Bartlesville. I met up with the McBrooms for a small dinner and visit and then checked in to my hotel. Next day was Sunday so I went to church and sat with the McBrooms.
Then the work began, as it was time for Sunday night code tabbing at the Hampton.

Monday -Saturday was a lot of sitting and reviewing code. Mark does a good job keeping students attention, with stories and games. He splurged on us several times, buying us lunch at Pizza hut twice and taking us to the Caney KS Zoo. Its a small private zoo with some very exotic amimals. I think he has 5 white tigers. 2 lions, tons of monkeys and lemurs, and 2 hyenas, a grizzly bear and a field of kangaroos.

Friday night i ate dinner at Dink's BBQ with the McBrooms. Elder McBroom loved to talk about how great the food there is, so he finally got to show it off.  I also got to meet their kids 3 boys and 2 girls. it was a big family, and before i left that night, i was able to remember their names, unfortunately, now i do not.

Anyway I landed in Edmonton early afternoon and had to drive up to Jackfish, work a few days then come home, and prepare for the API exam.
I wrote the exam in Edmonton. I was a little nervous about the exam, but was able to pull off a decent mark. 452/500. Thanks to my family, my work, and God for helping me through the hectic life and complete another exam.

Glad its all done. 1 more to go

Bartlesville Stake Centre

Inside the Barn    

Mark Smith Training Barn Wann OK

Quick Trip to Kansas to the Zoo

Kujo 

SICK OF BEING SICK

WOW has it been a long two weeks, and it aint over yet.

It all started with Mom getting deathly ill. She was so sick, for so long. she just could not get better. achy, fevers, sore, weak... and she passed it on.

Kansas first, then Wade and now Macie. Wade somehow picked up some pink eye, (or as he calls it, red eye) He has to have this salve put in his eye twice a day, its so sad.Well Kansas, just will not get better. She was looking like she was over it, but then she took a turn for the worse.

all the symptoms have passed it on, however dad has remained unscathed. Its funny because not only did dad get a flue shot but when he received his blessing for his new calling, of Stake Self Reliance Specialist, Brother Burgess blessed daddy with health to carry out his calling.

Skating

First time this year, the kids did really good. They both had to take a few moments to recall how to skate, but in the end they did awesome. Everyone falls down even daddy.
Macie loves skating even though she says it is hard

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS 2018

Holy Cross Elementary School Christmas Concert

This year we had 2 children singing in the concert. Our luck had them singing on two different nights.
So Wednesday and Thursday night was on the schedule for the Hunspergers.

Dad took some holidays from work so he could watch both events. Mom got really sick and missed them both.

Wednesday night was Grade 1:Mme Sara - Macies class
they sang 2 songs: P'tit Noel and C'est Noel.
although I could not understand any words, Macie is preparing to be a good singer, as she was focused on Ms Milly and sang all the words.

I had to leave after her song because of Baby Kansas, who was tired and done sitting quiet.

Thursday night was Kindergarten: Mme Valeri - Wades class
They sang 2 songs: J-E-S-U-S and Quatre Semaine
Wade said that he was pretty scared when he got out on stage, but no one could tell. Wade did such a good job, he was a little quiet at first but helped lead the choir at the end.

Super Proud of both our little Rock Stars.
Merry Christmas you Two

Inter-generational Christmas Party

Kansas, I know you will not remember how much joy that you brought to a few folks during a brief visit at a community christmas party.

The Cold Lake Parent link Centre put together a chance for young people and seniors to get together for a morning and visit and do crafts together. to build new friendships, gain better understanding and respect for all people.

Kansas and I sat at a table with three lovely ladies. The one lady shown below holding you drew you pictures and fell in love with you. The other lady, sister Hatch enjoyed your company while daddy went to get a round of waters for my girls.

You were in a good mood waving and colouring with our new friends. You enjoyed making the reindeer hat and decorating cookies. 

You even had a enough courage to venture off on your own for a bit amid the crowded class room. But you courage fled away when it was your turn to sit on Santa's lap (Brother Willie was sitting in for Santa). You were a bit terrified and would not leave daddies arms. You gladly accepted the treat bag though.  

Your sweet smile and spirit means a lot to other people. Always look for ways to build people up and help them when they are down. Don't judge others.

Sister Hatch and Kansas 

NOT HAPPY WITH SANTA

Reading with Santa

Holy Cross put on an afternoon of reading with Santa, which included milk and cookies. It was a great time to get the kids excited for Christmas. The best part was that it was a event that raised awareness of a 12 yr old who is being treated for cancer. all the money raised went to help him and his family out. This School is really trying to help out those in need as Jesus would do.