We got snow!

The kids were just watching a Christmas cartoon (Charlie Brown's Christmas) and we noticed that we are under a winter advisory. It was also nice to wake up this morning, and while taking the boys to school, see the snow covered mountains. I just wanted to let all of my mid-west family know that, though we live in CA, we still get to enjoy the beautiful snow (sort of). Now, I just have to persuade Gary to drive us up in the mountains over Christmas break to let us play in the snow :)

Christmas Traditions

Christmas brings out traditions in many people. I remember when we were first married, Gary and I started traditions of our own. I love them! One tradition we have with our children (and one that they love) is the Christmas advent calendar. Mamaw Beard started and created our first one. She filled each pocket with goodies for the kids. Since that time, we have mixed it up, but they always enjoy coming down the stairs each morning and opening their "pocket." Many of the pockets this year hold cards with different activities that we will do. These pictures are from our "let's build a gingerbread house today" card. The gingerbread house, in my opinion, does not taste that great, but it is great fun to create! So, a new tradition begins :)

Thanksgiving weekend---Christmas preparations and birthday cookies

Amy was able to spend the weekend with us, but more importantly, Saturday was her birthday. When she walked into our house on Wednesday, I was baking pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookies, and brownies. She said, "Oh, I want some of my mom's butter cookies!" So, for her birthday, she spent most of the day making and frosting them. They turned out pretty good and tasted great! Happy 20th birthday, cousin!

Thanksgiving weekend always includes the Christmas tree decorating for the Beard family. This year was a bit different in that we purchased an artificial tree. When Gary was pulling it out of the box, Brooke asked, "Is that a real tree, daddy?" After his reply, she stated, "It looks kind of funny." Well, we had a little work to do to get it into shape, but the outcome was satisfying. All three kids enjoy putting up their ornaments---they get a new one each year.




Getting ready for tree decorating----- as reindeer??????

Pilgrims and Indians

The boys had a special chapel service at school today, in honor of Thanksgiving. They were encouraged to dress up as Pilgrims or Indians. Of course, an Indian is much more fun :) In fact, as I pulled into school to drop the boys off, I was overwhelmed by the sight of all the Indians.

In the special service, Andrew quoted Psalm 100 with his class. Wesley was a bit nervous because he had to do a reading of Scripture, all by himself. I was unable to attend, but Wesley told me: "It was all the kids, pre-school up to 8th grade and lots of parents." Andrew said Wesley did a great job.

I am thankful for a school in which this important topic of thankfulness is given due recognition. The children also presented canned foods and packages for needy children.

Wicked!!!

Amy and a friend from college, Michele, came out to visit us this past weekend. They are always welcome visitors at the Beard home. One of the main things that they wanted to do this weekend was to go to the Broadway production of "Wicked" in Hollywood. The three of us went on Saturday evening. Being with college students, I guess I was a bit more adventurous. We had no tickets. Instead, we went to the theater 2 1/2 hours early to put our name in a drawing to win front row tickets for $25.00. We did not win the lottery :) Instead, we were able to purchase any available seats for $45.00. This is a huge savings, since we had looked at prices the night before and couldn't find any for under $108.00. We sat on the right hand side, third row. It was an excellent show. Michele had the sound track, so we listened to it on the ride to and from Hollywood. I have to say, my whole take on the Wizard of Oz has dramatically changed. Thanks, Amy and Michele for a fun evening.

Amy and I before entering Pantages Theater for the showing of Wicked.

Michele and Amy were "flabbergasted" to actually be at Hollywood to see Wicked.

I voted today

I use to be one of those Americans who was thankful for my right to vote, yet I did not vote. I rationalized that one vote does not really make a difference in the big picture. However, recently, I have realized that God never asks me to make all the difference in the big picture; He simply asks me to do what I can. I voted today!

I live in a very Democratic and very liberal state. California can be the leader in many political ideas. We have two propositions facing us today in CA. One deals with abortions for minors and another with homosexual marriages. These have been big issues in the state. Our church has had 24-hr. prayer vigils to bring these matters before the Lord. My children not only know where we stand but why. On the way to school this morning, Andrew expected to see signs in everyone's yard, since it "is election day." He also commented when one neighbor had a "Yes on 8" sign and another neighbor had a "No on 8" sign that those two people "must not like each other very much." I explained that people have different opinions, but God asks us to do what is right and to still love others!

However the outcome, I am so thankful that I serve a powerful God. The state of CA may take a bad turn, but I know my condition is sure.

By the way, it has been a crazy week at our house. Just to summarize: a mainline water pipe broke in our front yard; our second car is out of commission; Gary is on jury duty; we have a possible two offers accepted on houses; but, I still did get out and vote!

Trick or Treat

Wesley said it this way: "We have enough candy to last us three months." I hope so! Notice how good they are at organizing the candy into different types.

We had a fun night walking the neighborhoods nearby. Wesley's mummy costume lasted only half of the night; it started falling off, which actually gave it a little more character :) He changed into Darth Vader on our second round of the evening. In case you needed to know, Andrew is a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Brooke is the green M&M.

I wish we could have stopped at each one of your doors, but since we could not, here is our wish to you and our very own "Trick or Treat!"

Faulkner Farms Pumpkin Patch

One of my favorite things about fall is the pumpkins. I love taking the kids to a pumpkin patch. There is a famous one nearby that we had not yet been to, so I decided to take them to visit this year. I was a little worried that Wesley and/or Andrew might think that they were getting too big for such childish activities, but they were still willing to go. We had a great time: pumpkin scavaging, bale mazes, sunflower mazes, hay ride, funnel cakes, bale climbing, and even a pumpkin launcher. Seriously, this guy created a pumpkin launcher, which shoots pumpkins into the air, and then we observe how it crashes and splatters. The boys, of course, loved this!

The pictures listed first are the winners of our pumpkin scavage. Andrew found the ugliest pumpkin; Brooke found the biggest, and Wesley found the smallest pumpkin.

Still sleeping sweetly

I know my kids are 9,7, and 4, but they still like to all sleep together in the same bed----a twin bed, at that. I don't know how old they will be, when they just decide that this is no longer something they want to do. However, I had to try to catch a picture and share it with you. I have a feeling they are going to be running out of room very shortly. By the way, we only allow them to do this on the weekend. School nights require a good night of sleep, which also requires some space (according to my logic).

Weekend Wrap-up

This past weekend was "boys away, so the girls will play." Gary took Andrew and Wesley out camping for two nights. They love the dirt and the fishing and the tent. When they got home, I cleaned out the backpack to do the laundry and noticed that there was not much to wash. I asked Andrew, and found out that they slept in their clothes and just woke up and kept moving through out the day. I guess they changed once; things must have gotten very dirty :)

Brooke and I had a relaxing weekend enjoying our "girl's time." We went shopping and out to dinner on Friday. On Saturday, Brooke decided to pitch her tent in my bedroom, so she camped out there and watched a movie. You see the animals enjoyed a nice dinner as well.

I took pictures of the dirty boys when they got home, but the pictures do not do justice to the amount of dirt that was seen close up. Wherever your weekend found you, I hope it was a good one!