Christmas Program

Abigail did wonderful performing in her preschool Christmas program. This was the first "program" she has performed in, and I was so proud of her. She had quite the audience to watch her! Grandpa and Grandma Sprunger, Grandma Gudeman, Braylyn, Morgan, and of course, John, Jackson and I were all in attendance. I could tell when she first got on stage that she was a bit nervous, but she gutted through the nerves and sang perfectly. It was so much fun.

I was there early to save good seats. This was during practice. 

Her class was getting ready to go on stage!

Standing perfectly still...

Getting warmer...

"We wish you a Merry Christmas!"

AWANA and BSF

Abigail gets a heavy dose of godly teaching between Wednesday-Friday. She has preschool Wednesday and Friday mornings. Wednesday evenings she has AWANA, and Thursday mornings she has BSF. It's such a blessing - she is learning so much.

Today after BSF we brought Morgan home with us. Braylyn and Lincoln both had doctor appointments, and we were thrilled to have Morgan come play. Both Abigail and Jackson loved it!

Last night at AWANA Abigail learned about Joseph. 

Abigail and Morgan doing Abigail's favorite activity - dress up! What beautiful princesses!

Even poor Jackson was "strongly encouraged" to partake. :)

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend! It was a jam packed schedule, but the kids did GREAT overall. By the end we started to fall apart (the kids and me!), but they really did impressively well. We started in Francesville (Thanksgiving day), then traveled to Bluffton (Friday), then to Indy (Saturday) to cheer on Bishop Chatard football at state, and finally home Saturday night.

In an attempt to get the boys to smile - Cara brought out "props" and stood, acting silly, behind the camera to provoke good smiles. However, instead of provoking smiles - she just created weird and confused looks. It was so funny. :)

1st Birthday

We celebrated Tuckers first birthday. It was a fun party - we all sported our favorite teams' apparel. Jackson had a blast playing with Tuckers new toys!

November

My intention with our family blog was NOT to post a monthly post. However, here lately, that's what it's become - sadly enough. I've been thinking a lot about my life and the business of it. I'm naturally a busy-body, and sadly, this means that the times of reflection get shoved out of the too packed schedule. This is something I am forever wanting to change...

Late October, early November I went to work with John again to help out with some employee turnover, cover for a maternity leave, and help with some of the overflow pile that was getting far too large for John to manage. One way in which this experience was a blessing was it made me soooo grateful that this is not typical for us! I don't know how working moms do it quite frankly. It's ridiculously hard. I didn't feel like I was doing anything well, and I was forever feeling guilty - was always sacrificing something. Also, what it taught me was no matter how much I loved or love my job working with John (I really do love that job - the role and the work is just so fun for me), I'm thankful I get to be home with my kiddos.

Now - you readers of our Sprunger blog - you mind me of this when I am entrenched in the long, winter months (Jan, Feb, Mar) - stuck at home with sick kids day in and day out. :) You remind me of how thankful I am to be home, ok? :)

Bathed and ready for bed!

Prepping for her very first hair cut!  We finally did it! I finally worked up the nerve to trim her hair. It was pretty much necessary for as tangley as it was getting.

Trying to figure out "what is going on!?"

First birthday cake picture you may think? Nope - just enjoying some banana, chocolate chip bars (made with whole wheat, cauliflower, lots of bananas and low fat - oh and chocolate chips :))

October

We are just loving this weather in the Sprunger family! We've been eating outside for dinner every chance we get. We've been trying to savor every last morsel of this warmth. It certainly does not seem like it's October that's for sure. I can't believe it's the 11th already!

I feel like we are in the swing of our fall schedule pretty well with BSF, preschool, work, etc. etc. We are struggling a little bit keeping up with AWANA. It's a late night for the kiddos (especially Jackson!). I can't come up with a good system for getting Abigail there but being able to get Jackson to bed in decent time. Plus, he's been plagued with viruses lately! It's been a bit of a tough fall for us as far as sickness goes (and I've been the sick one at times too!). Crazy! Hopefully we can get it out of our system now and then remain healthy through the winter (hah!). :)

One of the very few Saturdays we were home. It was a lovely, lazy morning for us. When I finally managed to get the kids changed out of their pjs (and myself as well!), I happened to glance at the clock at it was 10:45! It was awesome! :) 

The kids and I enjoying dinner outside. I think I'll take that look as a, "Good dinner, Mom!"

Or as Abigail says when I make something she likes, "Mmmm...Mom, you're a good cooker!" Music to my ears. :)

First Day of Preschool!

I couldn't take enough pictures. I can't believe my little girl is now going to preschool! This week has been a little smoother it seems. The week Abigail started preschool, BSF started, as well as AWANA. So we are adjusting now to having a schedule (one that is not self-inflicted at least). It's going pretty well now. Last week was a little overwhelming for us all, but this week has seemed much better. Maybe it's just adjustment; maybe it's just a TON of prayer - probably both.

Eating her power breakfast (whole grain, chocolate chip waffles - a Sprunger family favorite).

By her locker

John said she jumped right in - couldn't wait to get started. She has such a great, outgoing personality. Makes it so easy for transitions such as these!

Party!

Jackson's first birthday party was lots of fun - crazy - but fun. :) Jackson had a good time (I think). :)

A little pre-party, day of birthday gift from big sister.

Birthday Boy Throne

So exciting!

Cousin play

Cake time! Stripped down to the diaper and ready to go!

What is this?

He thoroughly enjoyed himself until frosting got in his eyes - then it quickly became a great time gone bad!

All clean!

Present time! I had this "great idea" to have Jackson get a picture with the gift and the givers of the gift. Started out ok but quickly went south. He was exhausted, and it seemed as if everyone else was more interested in the gifts than him.

Abigail was sooo excited about all the gifts Jackson got (way more than him). After everyone left and while we were cleaning up she kept wanting to play with his toys, but I wouldn't let her open them without Jackson awake. She was so quiet I looked over and the poor thing was riding his scooter still in the box. :)