The Tolbert Family: February 2016

Advent Season 2015

We had a wonderful season leading up to our celebration of the birth of Christ this past December. We always find it to be a busy month, but we tried to be more intentional this year about focusing on the things that matter and taking the time to spend special moments together as a family. I thought I would post some of my favorite pictures from the month.

Adventures at the Christmas Tree Farm

This one was Ellie's pick!

This is the one we ended up with!

A few days later we had all of our youth over to decorate it! And for an ugly Christmas sweater contest!

Anna Kate and Caroline did a wonderful job in their church Christmas program. They had been talking for months about a "surprise" song, and they actually kept it secret! They learned all the verses of "Away in a Manger" in sign language and sang it beautifully!

Mimi was able to come see their program too!

Our homeschool group had a big Christmas party that ended with trip to sing at a local nursing home.

You know, just wearing some gingerbread pillowcase tops. Because they're cute.

The girls have been really into Little House on the Prairie this year, so we made popcorn and cranberry garlands just like Laura and Mary!

After church one Sunday in our Christmas plaid. Because, again, they're cute.

Our homeschool co-op preschool group (which Caroline calls her ABC class) had a little party too!

And, of course, we had the Bethesda preschool nativity play. This time it was Caroline's turn to be a sheep! She is the second from the right.

Pretty dressy capes and a pea coat. Precious.

Fancy dresses at the candlelight service.

One morning before Christmas we went over to visit Ms. Lillie, one of our church members who isn't able to get out much anymore. She loved a little visit from the girls and Eleanor had fun with her kitty!

And, I got these wrapped just in time. Brown paper packages tied up with string

Well, there you have it. Our December happenings in a nutshell. It was busy, but we truly did treasure the moments and celebrated the gift of our Savior.

Thanksgiving with the Hanks family!

Thanksgiving this year was spent with my sister and her family and we had such a special time together. We certainly missed the rest of the Burgin side of the family, but any time spent with each other is a blessing! They drove down on Wednesday and ew had a wonderful 4 days together.

We had some crafts to keep the kids busy.

Aunt Sarah read everyone bedtime stories.

Of course, we cooked a big Turkey dinner. Even without Mom or Grandma or Rachael. It wasn't easy, but we succeeded (although I understand from Grandma that our Turkey is upside down!).

Even the kids helped peel potatoes!

Dustin suggested we take REI's "Opt Outside" challenge instead of doing Black Friday, so we drove a little ways out of town to a nature reserve and did some hiking! The kids loved collecting giant pinecones!

They headed back on Saturday, which happened to be rivalry Saturday. We were all wearing our team colors, but we weren't actually pulling against each other that day!

And then I had to include a picture of this year's Thankful tree. We enjoy this fun tradition!

AK's soccer season 2015

AK had a second great season of playing soccer last fall. She had her same coaches (Coach Ashley and Daddy!) from last year, and a number of her same friends as teammates. They had a blast and Anna Kate even scored a number of goals this season! We were so proud of how hard she worked. Luke took all three girls out to the fields for some extra practices on a number of afternoons where I was teaching violin, and their hard work paid off. Poor Caroline missed the cut-off date for turning four by just six weeks, but she had fun participating in some of the practices with Anna Kate and her team.

Anna Kate really played well and went after the ball a lot!

She also really enjoyed having her turn to be goalie!

Not much got past her!

A couple of those October Saturday mornings were pretty chilly! Here are Anna Kate and one of her best buddies bundled up together in Luke's sweatshirt!