Alli got her driver's permit....stay off the roads

Run!  Hide!  Allison got her permit and starts drivers ed on the 15th.  Be afraid, very afraid. 

Just kidding.  She is so excited.  I'm not sure, but she is ready. 

Matt had to put in some hours at the Animal Shelter for his history class.  Allison and Shawna went along and had some fun adventures with the cats and dogs.

We finished the first semester and I am excited to start the second.    The kids are busy.  Josh won first place in the Pinewood Derby for his Bear class.  Steve has been gone all week at the Vice Principals' conference in Seattle.  I think he is having fun, but I am absolutely exhausted. 

Allison got her permit.Matt and Ms. Sams at the animal shelter.Shawna loved the cats.Matt and Shawna loved the dogs.Alli too.Shawna got her WA state ID.

Love to you all!  Deb

We survived Christmas!

Steve and Greg trying to hide from the chaos.

A room full of presents and chaos.

The kids loved new stuffed animals.

Reagan looked way grown up in his new PJ's.

Steve rockin' the noise.

Katie got a new doll accessory kit.

Jake loved his Star Wars legos.  (Matt picked them out.)

Having fun watching the craziness.

Matt and Ryland were buddies.

Deb and Shawna

Michelle, Ryland, Reagan, Rachel, Leaunna, and Josh.

Austin helped make a chocolate dessert.

Grandma Pat came back from China with about 2,800 pictures.  Shawna looked at and loved every one.

Banda kids excited about their new Box!

Grammie Linda loved her pillows and blanket.

Josh- not a wimpy kid- loved the book.

Shawna was excited by her new Jewel Quest mystery game....had it finished two days later.

The pups

Steve has a new friend- Yoda.

Alli loved her new bath robe.

Grammie and Thomas Kincade book.

Steve was soooo excited!To Shawna from Santa

Santa giftsMatt really was excited by his lego set???? 

Opening stockings

Alli loved her new tunes

The boys got up at 4 and then slept on the couches.

Cookies, milk and letters for Santa

PJ opening on Christmas eve

Matt's shelves..

Josh's shelves

laundry room

Matt's lego collection

It was busy and chaotic but also lots of fun.  I thought I'd post a few choice pictures to include you in the mayhem.  Christmas day was pretty calm.  Linda came.  We opened gifts, watched a movie.  Then she went home and I took a nap.  :)

The following Sunday, the mayhem began.  Ryan, Leah and kids showed up.  On Monday, Stephanie, Gordon and kids arrived.  Then mom, dad and Robbie.  Then later, Michelle, Greg and kids arrived.  Two missionaries also joined the fun to make dinner for 27.  Whew.  We had a great dinner- turkey, ham and the fixins.  Then a big gift exchange afterwards.  It was fun but loud.  Then Steph & Gordon's family went home and everyone else (minus the missionaries) spent the night.  I love my family, and we love getting together.  But it took a couple of days for my house, my kids, and Steve and I to recover. 

Since then we've been playing games, watching movies and generally having fun.    Then yesterday, Steve decided we needed a few more projects.  After hours at Home Depot, we put up shelves in my laundry room, Josh's room and Matt's room.  We will add shelves to Shawna's room and finish the garage tomorrow.  It will be great when it is all finished!  Love to you all.  Happy new year!  :) Deb

More December merriness.

Matthew and his friend Owen at their band concert.

MLHS can food drive... we filled a bus!

Matt loves our new puppy Pepper.

So does Cocoa. They are great friends.

The bus unloading crew.

Having some fun too.

Allison and Matthew posing after their piano concert.

They did a great job!

Allison in her choir concert.

She was ready to sing!

Josh was a shepherd in our primary nativity program.

He took his role very seriously.

Nativity scene

Cookie making at the Banda house.

Everyone helped.

Merry Christmas from the Banda family!

December always seems to be a flurry of school programs and concerts. It seems that we scarcely begin the month and then, wham, Christmas is here already. We got a good jump on the month with cookie making a while back. Everyone helped. We made over 1000 cookies in one weekend. Then we delivered about 30 plates of cookies. It is a tradition that we've had every year since Steve and I were married. We enjoy visiting many friends and relatives.

Matthew had his first band concert. He plays the saxophone this year. Allison is in choir and had her holiday concert. Josh also had a Christmas concert and was part of the Nativity scene at church. Right now, I am busy wrapping and finishing details for the big day coming up on Friday. Wishing you holiday cheer and much love, Deb