Happy Karen New Year!

The Karen people are a larger and larger part of our community and we had the opportunity to attend their New Years Celebration today at the high school. It was fun to watch them dance and sing to their music. All the pictures are high resolution so you can click on them to take a closer look. (I linked the name Karen to a wikipedia article but I am not sure it is completely accurate. Many are political refugees and it didn't address that really... like one sentence)

Above is a dance troup that in from Huron. Below is a youth group from Aberdeen singing and playing guitar. I am pretty sure they were singing "Home, home on the Range" in Karen. This was a Karen choir. They may be from the Baptist church in town.Levi, Andrew and I enjoyed the music and rhythm.

Afterward, there was Karen food for everyone to eat. If they do this next year, Jan & Alan, you should come down and see it. I thought of you since you went to China and like cultural things.

Iowa Christmas Fun (part 3) - Pinata

Here are some pictures of the kids playing dress up.

This is such a cute cousin shot.

Levi wants in on the action with a coconut half on his head.

I just loved these photos of Mimi loving on her granddaughters so I had to post them! Such beautiful little ladies!
I also thought this was an adorable moment I happened upon: Ezra and Levi were quietly playing in the family room. He wants to be a big guy like his cousin Ezra! :)
I have never been a big fan of this type of laundry basket but think I have been missing out! Levi LOVED playing car in it. :)
Here are all the cousins. Photo #1 is the attempt to get them all in one photo. Photo #2 something HILARIOUS happened that cracked up the older ones. Too cute.

1st cousin up: Levi! He had fun whacking the sack with his bubble stick.

Next up: Louise!

3rd: Violet! So cute. She would not TOUCH the thing.

Hannah gave it a good go too.

I seemed to have missed the whole rest of the pinata time but I did capture this one of the older kids getting antsy for their turn. :)

Iowa Christmas Fun (Part 2)

Toddler piano time with Aunt Alissa.

I love this picture of Louise concentrating on skating.

Louise & Hannah resting after lots of skating.

Iowa Christmas Fun

Here are some of my photos. I tried to capture every child opening a gift but managed to miss Violet so I posted one of her kissing Levi.

Here we are walking at the Mines of Spain. The three youngest Cranbabies are loving their rides.I will post more soon including Denver Crandalls skating and pinata.

Christmas morning and Helping Mama

Mom and dad, I wanted you to see Levi opening his present from you on Christmas morning. He really enjoyed unwrapping his Noah's Ark toy. Thank you!

These are some blocks I made for Levi for Christmas. They have a nativity on one side and fun prints on the other sides.

This is Levi helping me unload the dishwasher for the first time this week! Good job, Levi!

Christmas Surprises From Jan

Thanks, Jan, these outfits are so cute and fun!