Christmas time! (Part 3 the last part)

Decorating the Williams tree

Jessica and I (with some help from Jamiie and Jon) decorated the tree. Unfortunately, Jeremiah had a bad stomach virus and was out the whole day. Chiang and Cody (the Williams' dog) tried comforting him.





At the Johnson's
The Johnson's invited us over for dinner. We had yummy cheese burger soup. Afterwards we play a Christmas present game. You have two people pick a present that is wrap. Then they have to open it with oven mitts on their hands. It was so much fun. Sarah made Jeremiah and everyone one else cupcakes. It was Jeremiah's 17th birthday. Afterward we head out to Pensacola for swings dancing.








Swing Dancing
We went swing dancing in Pensacola. It was really cool! They give an hour worth of free lessons and then the rest of the night you swing dance. The y had a drawing too, to give away Christmas presents. Since it was Jeremiah's birthday we made him go up in the center with everyone who had a birthday. Everyone there sang "Happy Birthday."




Pool with Chris and Wes

Josh, Chris, Wes and I went to play play at the bowling alley right near my parents house. It was good to see them. We hadn't seen Wes in a long time. Chris thought he would funny and put a bowling ball in place of the cue ball. I couldn't stop laughing. Afterwards we went over to Fridays. We had a great waitress and she even put up with all the boys.



Chinese with the Williams and Marshal's

After Church the Williams' and Marshal's went out to lunch at the Chinese Buffet around the corner from the church. I love being around these two families. It is non-stop laughter. They are all so silly, light-heart and loving people.




Olivia was conducting the Williams and Marshal boys in a wonderful rendition of Chitty-chitty-bang bang and Winnie the Pooh.


Christmas Play at Niceville Church and Wii time
Niceville Christian Church had their Christmas play on Sunday. Jeremiah and Jamiie were Mary and Joesph.

Mr Marshal opening. He was the ministry who married us. He since has retired, moved to Niceville (He lived in Tennessee before and flew down to marry us.), and he helps out at Niceville Christian.


Angel speaking to Joesph


Elizabeth mets with Mary


Beautiful singing


The shephards hear from the angel


They come to gather and see the Baby who has been Born!


A tower of food!


Jan come home to visit for Christmas.



After the play the Marshal family came over played the Wii for the first time. I think we might have conviced them to buy one! ;o)

Jessica and Olivia playing Break the Ice.



We were playing Raman 2. Each player gets to play an instrument in the music game. Jon and I were dancing in the background.


Getting the Christmas tree ready
Josh Adam and I bought and prepared a Christmas tree for my Mom and Dad. They haven't had one for a while and they like ours. So their present was a tree that basically requires no work. The ornaments and lights can stay one the tree just needs to be folded up and stored for the next year. Chiang decided he wanted to help so he jumped in the Christmas tree box and had lots of fun.






Our WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Yes, we really did have a white Christmas in Florida!!! It was not long lived but we still had it! I was so exciting. It was white for about 15-20 minutes and then it melted to a wet mess but we didn't care. This is only the 2nd time in my time living in Florida in my 20 years that I have had a white Christmas. Well 3rd if you count the time when I was about 8 or 9 I cut up about 50 sheets of paper and covered my living room with white paper to give my mom the white Christmas she grew up with. This white Christmas came in the form of small hail that stayed on the ground for a while.

We started out Christmas morning by opening presents at my parents house. Then we headed to Josh's house for breakfast and more presents. Later everyone met up at my parents house for Christmas dinner and the kids secret Santa gift exchange. For those of you who don't know all the Williams kids and Gorman kids pick names from a hat and then get their person a present. After dinner and presents we played games.









The kids with their secret Santa gifts

The parents with their presents


Playing Yahtzee



me with mom and Adam


Chiang exploring Dad W's sholder

Christmas time! All the gatherings and parties (part 2)

Christmas Party # 2 Teen Zone Party
Teen Zone is the free after-school program at Westwood where I teach. I am technically not in Teen Zone even though the math tutoring I do on Tues and Thurs is a part of Teen Zone. I was Regina's date to the Teen Zone party at Carrabba's, an Italian restaurant. Wow, did they go all out, free diner and drinks. It was a lot of fun. I am friends with many of the Teen Zone people. Afterwards a few of us went to Regina's house for her "after-party." Josh joined us and we enjoyed Regina's hot tub.

Christmas Party # 3 Westwood Christmas Party

The Westwood party was very interesting. We had a Dirt Secret Santa gift swap. When your number was called you could get a present under the tree or steal one from someone who had opened theirs. Their was a ton of yummy food. Even with around 100 people I don't think it all was eaten. Afterward a 6 of us went to Becky's house. Josh and I had a lot fun.




A little latin dancingfor the girls





Christmas Party # 4 Becky's Party
Becky is one of the P.E. teachers (the best one) at Westwood and a good friend. Becky and Anna had their house warming/Christmas/ Hanukkah party. They recently bought a house and finished setting everything up. Their house is so great. It feels like you are in a art gallery with all the very interesting piece up everywhere. Anna made amazing Sangria. She has her own special recipe. We ate some yummy snacks before we left to go to Charlie and Lorie's house.

Crowe's Gathering
Charlie Crowe is the minister at Harvest Church. The Crowe's have the coolest house. It was built in the early 1900s I think. Lorie took me and a few others on a tour around the house and showed us all the cool hide-a-ways and storage they have. We also were able to see the absolutely beautiful Christmas presents Charlie had made for each of his children. Later in the evening the ones that were left sat out by the fire and talked. It was really nice. I loved getting to spend some relaxing time with everyone.


Christmas Party # 5 My 6th period math class
Most classes I teach are co-taught. They are regular ed kids with some students who are ESE. My 6th period class is my favorite but there are no regular ed students. I teach this class by myself. A couple of them can be trouble makers especially when you put them all in one room. They are great and I look forward to seeing them everyday.
I made each of them two Christmas ornaments (with a little help from Josh). One was a penguin holding a banner that I painted their name on. I painted each penguin with their favorite color. Second was a small ball covered in sequins. I gave them each a Christmas card with a small note that I wrote to each student. Each present had candy canes and a bag of renideer corn candy in it. I ordered pizza and brought candy, soda, and one of my students brough cookies. Lets just say my kids with all the other goodies they got from some of their classes and mine they were wired and a little crazy. It was worth it. :0)

Enjoying pizza, cookies. candy canes and their Christmas presents



The whole class (minus 1 who was not there) It took them almost 10 minutes to get this picture. They are crazy but I love them.


Trying to be cool ;o)


The two girls are my hardest workers and the boy is the cutest.