Merry Christmas from our house to yours

Merry Christmas Eve!!! On the eve of our Lord's birth, may you remember the real reason for the season. It isn't the presents under the tree but the "birth of baby Jesus, born in a barn to save our sins!! It's Jesus' birthday!!!" (Morgs' take on Christmas). We have been really stressing with Morgan that Christmas isn't about all the gifts but about the birth of Jesus. Our biggest and best gift we will ever receive. May you be richly blessed this season and in the coming year!
Love,
Neal, Rachel, Morgan & Boomer
But the angel said, "Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news. This is happy news for all the people: today in Bethlehem, God's Son was born. You can go see Him. He is wrapped warm and snug in a manger!" (taken from Morgan's Bible) "Happy Birthday Baby Jesus"

On this day too...we want to send a special shout out to our cousin Kevin in Afghanistan (and all the men and women fighting for our freedom). We hope you have a wonderful Christmas Kev!

Still here...

I promise we are still here!! We currently don't have internet at home so the blog has taken back burner! We will be getting internet back again next month since I'm starting classes on my masters!! I'm taking 9 credits! Not sure what I'm thinking but I want to be done with this and Neal has given me his blessing! So I know I will make it! 1 on-line class and 2 weekend classes! We'll be fine!!

I can't believe that I have one more week of school and then two weeks off! It is so crazy to think that 2011 will be here soon! It seems just like yesterday we were all freaking out (well, some more then others) about the whole Y2K stuff! Seriously! Crazy!

Morgs has been doing really well! We decided that daycare wasn't for her and have pulled her from that! She is now a preschool! She goes two afternoons a week still in my building! She started the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and is loving it! It is so fun to see her actually learning something now! Drop off is so much easier (she cries for like 2 seconds and then she's good!) So thankful!

Neal is staying busy at work as well and we are so thankful for that! They are short handed but don't want to hire someone only to potential lay them off or have to cut hours in April! So we are happy with the extra hours and will take that!

Well, I need to get going home...but here's a little up date on us! Have a great weekend

Tricker Treating

We had a VERY busy Halloween night. We started by going to Grandma Zwaag's and a few places around our house. Then we met my mom for supper and then went to Trunker Treat at church. From there we went to both the great grandparent's house! Morgs made out pretty well in the candy department (and so did mom & dad!!) Next year though we have decided to leave Neal at home! He sat in the parking lot chatting with the men and seemed to be on such a schedule (Michigan was playing!)

We changed the costume, after marching around as a jelly bean at school, I wasn't sure how that was going to work getting in and out of the car. Plus, from just walking at school we were losing balloons! I had so many complaiments on the costume...funny thing is I did it that day! I was also a present when I was young!

Morgs and her buddy Colton. We had to quick get a picture! They look scared because Aunt Carole had a crazy mask on when we got there and then she was trying to take their picture!

Halloween Party at School

Morgs and I were able to attend her Halloween party at school. It was in the morning and it was a change of pace for me to be the "helper mom" and not the "teacher". Her teacher had little activities for them to do and lots of food (even Gluten Free Brownies). We went on a parade with the other preschool classrooms in the building.

11th Family Hayride

Well, we think it was our 11th and we couldn't have asked for better weather! We had lunch at my aunt and uncle's and then went on our hayride. We had 32 people there and we have gotten so big we had to have two wagons this year! My dad drove one (with my help!) and my uncle Eric (with Ben's help) drove the other one! It was a great day with great weather and great scenery!

Morgs getting ready with my cousin Allison

The other wagon driven by my uncle

Next year's driver!! Oh my watch out!
Morgs bringing the tractor back with my dad! She is becoming so brave!

Early Tricker Treating

Last weekend we went to Dutch Treat Campground. My grandparents were camping there and invited us out to visit. Every year they do a Halloween weekend. It was so much fun and they had a ton of activities for Morgs! We couldn't have asked for better weather either!

The group getting ready to get some candy! The campers hand out candy! Morgs made out like a champ!
Cora & Ben (my cousins) and Morgs

On the hayride!

Homecoming Parade

Morgs was able to ride in the homecoming parade with my dad! She held her ears the whole time since the fire trucks were right behind her!