Christmas is coming.. the goose is getting fat... ???

Well, since we are not growing our own Christmas goose, I guess that song doesn't work for us.  The kids had their last day of school yesterday.... now we can have all day pajamas and lazy days until January 11th!

Since I haven't blogged in awhile, lets go over some highlights...

Hannah went on a trip to Tijuana Mexico.  Our church supports an "orphanage", it's a boys home really.  Run by a couple who wanted to help some of the street children.  They aren't a govt. agency or anything, just people who want to share the love of Jesus with these destitute boys.  We, as a church, undertake buying all the kids Christmas gifts.  A family in our church selects a boy or girl (the staff have some girls, but it is a boys home) and buy what that child wants for Christmas and some clothes etc.  Then they bring the box back to church where our 1-5th grade kids wrap the gifts.  Then a group of people go down to hang out with the boys and deliver the gifts.  Hannah and Tim went a few years ago. Then, last year, we got Hannah a passport so that she could go, but the trip part got canceled becasue there was some pretty scary violence going on in Tijuana.  The boys home director, Luis, met our people on the Cali side of the border and picked up the gifts.  Hannah was NOT going to miss the trip this year.  She had a great time.  Here are some pictures...

Painting is DONE!  Well, the Family room, living room and dining room are done, but now the entry way and hallway and kitchen look shabby... so maybe after Christmas there will be MORE painting.  We are loving the new colors.  Here are some pictures...

Well that is about all... things are looking like Christmas inside.. but in California it never seems to look like Chirstmas outside! This is what I saw outside yesterday...

Vultures are the bane of Kiwi's existance... they favor the pine tree in our neighbor's yard.  Yesterday when I drove in from work, there were 12 vultures out there!  Kiwi is offended that they want to sit there and barks her little head off... and if they DARE fly over our yard, she runs the length of the yard after them and telling them to STAY OUT!

 Here is a picture of Kiwi in her Christmas finest and in her favorite Christmas hiding place...

Merry Christmas!