Still workin' on photos!

Hey everyone!

I am still working on all of those photos from Christmas. It's been crazy busy here in Elkhart, and we lost our bootleg Internet connection last weekend. --Those darn college kids come home and teach their parents to secure the network! :(

Anyway, more to come!

Christmas Day Schedule

Pre-dinner cordials will be served and kids presents will be opened from 1:30 to 3:00, and dinner will start at 3:00. Be there or miss out!

Maria's Christmas Program

Laura's in the News

From left, Plymouth High School class representatives Megan Barron, Hailey Hennessy, Maggie Morrow and Allie Berger along with Department Chair Laura Kruyer (center) show off the plaque awarded to PHS by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce as a “Head of the Class” Best Buy School in the state for 2009. Triton High School also received the honor in ceremonies Tuesday. Pilot photo/Rusty Nixon

There's a long article that went along with it, and you can find it here. I would like to know why there's no quote from Laura in the article. Also, who are they all looking at? It's definitely not the photographer!

Christmas dinner

Hi Everyone!

We have an initial list of food items people are bringing to the "Greenhouse" for Christmas. Dad is providing the meat. We have to cook it! We don't want to overwhelm Dad with tons of leftovers, so the plan is to bring your dish, then take the leftovers home!


Rita: Cookies

Marlene: Salad and dessert

Mike: Cookies

Dana: Jello salad

Carol: Cinnamon bread

Chris: 2 cheesecakes, broccoli salad

Greg: Snack Tray

Pam: Antipasto tray

Stephanie: Appetizers

Popi: Cranberry salad

Janis: Shrimp

Laura: Rolls and Juice boxes

Holli: NOODLES

Bethany: Potatoes

Amelia: Green beans

Kayla: Fudge


If I missed anyone and you want to be added, by ALL MEANS!....

I'll post this on both the blog and group email.

Thanks,

Dana

Added by Holli: Along with your dish, please bring something to carry other leftovers in. I don't want to bring home 18 pounds of noodles! If I remember, I'll do what my mom did at Thanksgiving and just get a bunch of ziploc bags to give to people on the way out.

P.S. Yes, I have the power to change posts. Mwah hah hah!

Exchange Reminder

Don't forget to bring your unwanted books/music/movies/games/whatever to Greenhouse at Christmas for the second annual exchange! Just like last year, the deal is simple: people bring things, set them out on a table, and other people take them. Free books! Yippee! Anything unclaimed by the end of the day will be boxed up and donated (I'll take care of that part), so don't bring anything you want to keep.

Taylor has a boyfriend... just kidding

Taylor went to Shanklin Park in Goshen this weekend and made a couple of one-day friends. One boy, in particular, interested her very much.

That may be because after he poked her forehead and then she smacked

him in the nose, they made nice and he let her boss him around.

See? They're friends now:

Then, to her mother's delight, Taylor told him to get lost, that it was fun while it lasted.

She decided she's much better off without him:

Klaudia Rocks!

Klaudia had her own cheering section Saturday night at a meet in Chesterton. And yes, Max was much more cheerful during the actual meet. Klaudia did a great job, but don't take my word for it -- check out her floor routine and vault below, along with a bonus video of her enthusiastic cheerleaders.

Autumn in Goshen

Despite a practically nonexistent summer and the seemingly early-approaching winter temps, we managed to snag one brief nice day to enjoy some November sunshine.

Not that Autumn is any different every place else, but I thought I'd share some Fall pictures of our beautiful Taylor under our tiny maple tree.

-Amelia

Important Announcement

Taylor's Trick-or-Treat

Taylor waddled around in her duck costume, which was about perfect since she began walking just the day before. Since she couldn't actually eat any of the candy she collected, Amelia's top desk drawer at work is well stocked.

Quinn

Quinn decided to be adventurous and wear the costume to Halloween bowling. After she managed to get in her boyfriend, Connor's, car without destroying the head, I had to take a picture!

Halloween in Westlake

Brian says I make the best costumes; they are so difficult to wear that Aidan only lasts about a 1/2 hour trick or treating. I guess you can tell who takes him out.

Klaudia's Costume

Your Pictures Here

Feel free to post pictures of your kids (or yourselves!) in costume so we can all enjoy them. If you need a new invitation to post, or you want me to post your pictures for you, just send me an email. To get us started, here are Luke Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi (don't get them mixed up!) and the cutest little Ewok you ever saw, giving his Yami a subtle "salute."

Rick on the March

Two weeks ago, Rick joined his fellow firefighters in a fun bus trip to New York City, where they all visited the Statue of Liberty, paid tribute to Ground Zero, and then joined firefighters from around the country in a parade. Here he is holding the Indiana flag and marching proudly with Hamlet Fire Department members Grover, Chuck, and Floyd.

Chef James, At Your Service

The Hamlet FD pancake breakfast was Sunday, and we definitely got our money's worth seeing James go to work in the kitchen to cook for us!

Kent and Stephen in DC

Kent and Stephen left Monday night for Washington DC (8th grade field trip) and will be back tomorrow. To quote Nick, Kent "looks like a munchkin next to Stephen."

Speaking of Christmas...

How do you feel about having another book/music/movie/etc. exchange this year? We can do it the same way as last year (everyone brings stuff, takes stuff, and I'll donate anything that's left over so we don't leave a bunch of stuff behind for Grandpa) or a different way, if anyone has a good suggestion. Feel free to chime in with a comment, or vote in the poll to the right. Thanks!

Sarah Visits Plymouth

Christmas 2009

Hi everyone-

You should have received your email with your Christmas drawing names. We're sticking to the kids in high school and younger will be the gift getters. But remember - to add a little spice - you can always bring a gag gift that you just know will get a laugh. Remember Sarah Palin?

Jeffirs Christmas will be celebrated on Christmas Day at Dad's/Grandpa Mike's. So plan on a Christmas Eve of games and pizza and beer to get us going for the big day.

Remember to email Kayla some good pictures for the Jeffirs Calendar. She needs a lot of good material to work with!

See you soon-
Chris

cousins!

Henry

Henry Hugh
9/9/09
11:20 p.m.
7 pounds, 4 ounces
19.5 inches long

Cave Critters

City Slickers turned Cave Critters!

Camping has never been in the vocabularies of Stephanie, Jenna, and Jayci Jeffirs. But they braved the Wisconsin wilderness, hiked a rugged 6 mile trail complete with 700 ft peaks and even some caves. Oh ya! - and slept in a tent for 2 days!

Steph never once threatened to bail and cash in her Hyatt reward points!

Cousins Visit Chicago

Cousins at the Water Park

Doug Breaks Kent Out Of Jail!!!

Amelia and a Jet Plane

In honor of President Obama's visit today to scenic Wakarusa, here's a picture of Amelia with Air Force One during his last visit to Elkhart, in February or March. Amelia's not assigned to any specific stories for this visit, but as an intrepid girl reporter, she is, of course, very excited about this newsworthy event.

Firefighter/EMT/Cake Decorater... J Minker

J and Klaudia practicing cake decorating techniques.... or eating icing!

Cousins & Puppies

Cousins Visit the Zoo!

Birthday!

Sam and Mable are helping Klaudia open her birthday present! If anyone is available we will be having cake and ice cream on Sunday at 3 Plymouth time, feel free to join us!

Abby, Live in Concert

News from Mark:

Abby will be performing with the Michael Harding band at the Bremen VFW this Saturday at 7PM. Might be a good chance for any family members to see her close by. She'll be doing at least three songs (with Alex doing backup vocals on one). Ben may be doing a duet with her also. This is the same group who is working with her on her upcoming CD. Tickets are $10 for show and $18 for show and chicken dinner ($15 for kids 12 & under). Call Mark or Carol if you want tickets - also available at the door.

4H Champion Sheep

Klaudia's heavyweight wither Henry( held by Klaudia), division champion at the fair! Izzy is her fourth place ewe (held by Joe).