We had fun at AAC Adoption's annual Christmas party! Caylie and Tessa enjoying some candy canes.
Of course there was face painting!
And the finished products!
We don't do Santa at our house, but the girls were up for some cute photos. 🎅
Samuel and his former foster sister, Piper. They lived together at the House of Grace foster home in Yangchun, Guangdong. Samuel adopted 2015 and Piper adopted 2016.
And three kiddos from Fuzhou, Jiangxi! LiLi adopted 2012, Caylie adopted 2013, and Foster adopted 2017. We're so happy to have continued relationships with these families!
We drove out to Indiana for Thanksgiving! The sun had not yet come up when we left. We stayed a night near Kansas City, and got there the day before Thanksgiving.
There is always lots of game playing!
Aunt Janiece and Caylie.
Grandpa and Grandma Beck
Our family. 💜
We were missing Keelan, who had to stay home and work. Samuel, me, Jim, Justin, and Caylie
My sister Tina's family. They drove out from Connecticut.
Tina, Ken, Elsie, Millie
Justin has never had a piano lesson, but he likes to tinker, sight-read, and play by ear!
Yummy Wick Sugar Cream Pie! Made in my hometown of Winchester, Indiana. I don't get it very often.
Cousins, Caylie and Angela.
The day after Thanksgiving was an un-rehearsed concert! Grandma and Millie on flute, Uncle Ken and Justin on trombone, Aunt Sharon on piano.
Videos of the fun!
Me and my Caylie.
Angela made a mashed potato sculpture of Toby's face.
She is a talented artist. 😁
Our friends the Johnsons, who used to live in Colorado with us, but now live in Indiana, came to see us. Mark is a pilot, so it was a short flight! Graham, Sandy, Mark, Jim, Me, Caylie, Justin, Sam
First snow ofthe season! Tessa and Caylie being seeing in it.
Caylie and me at her parent/teacher conferences, Global Village Academy Douglas County.
Justin in his band tux.
The marching band got new uniforms! (They only wear their fancy hats in the show, though. Scroll on down!)
Justin and his friend Benjamin.
They've known each other since kindergarten. Benjamin's mom Sarah was their teacher in 1st grade, and I was their teacher in 2nd and 3rd at Meadowood Christian School. Now they're all grown up in high school.
I'm wayyy behind in blogging, but this will have to do for now, till I get caught up! Justin has been busy with band this fall, and I want to share his performances.
These first two are from his Jazz Band concert, October 6. Last year he was in Jazz 1, and has worked up to the next level, Jazz 2. This group is amazing! I'm missing the piece in which he had a solo, as my phone stopped recording in the middle of that one. (Sigh.) I'm waiting to get a recording from another band mom, which hopefully will come soon!
The Art of the Matter
The Incredibles
The next three are from his Wind Ensemble concert, October 9. Last year he was in the beginning Concert Band, and has moved up two levels to Wind Ensemble. This group is amazingly talented, as well!
The Admiral of the Air
Charm
Twisted Tango
(video by Jim with focus on Justin!)
And here is the amazing Raptor Regiment Marching Band, doing a halftime show at last week's football game in their new uniforms! This 172-member band works so hard all summer and fall. Enjoy!
Our friend Marci was in town, and came for dinner one night. It was great to see her!
Caylie's school had their annual Fun Run. Nathan is her friend from both school and church!
Justin and Samuel went to the See You at the Pole Rally at Calvary Aurora.
Tessa and Caylie in their Elsa dresses.
Justin was selected to go on the Eaglecrest High School Spirit Bus, which goes to all the feeder middle and elementary schools to get them excited about homecoming.
Here they are at one of the local schools.
And the next day was the homecoming parade!
Elias was patiently waiting for it to start.
And so were Tessa and Caylie. Samuel was there too, but wanted to watch from the other side of the street.
And here comes the Raptor Regiment!
Little Trombone Jussy. 😀
Rowdy Raptor
Tessa and Caylie were very good at drawing attention for the candy throwers!
They each had a large stash of candy by the end.
The band played for a pep rally in front of the school at the end of the parade.
And of course they played for halftime at the game.
