Gingerbread House

The boys had fun making gingerbread houses this year. After construction was completed, they had more fun eating their creations.

We received an email about the shoeboxes filled with presents that we sent through Operation Christmas Child. We dropped both the shoeboxes off at our church in Chapin at the same time. One shoebox went to Zambia which is in Africa and the other shoebox went to the Dominican Republic. Isn't it strange that they ended up on two different continents?

Singing at the Lowman Home

Our scout pack sang at the Lowman Home. The scouts enjoyed singing and the residents enjoyed the songs. They even sang along.

Hunter, Jordan and I

One of the boys played Christmas songs on the violin. We had a wonderful pianist which made all our songs sound better. We even made it through the 12 Days of Christmas!

Pack 870

Hunter earns his Tenderfoot

Hunter received his Tenderfoot rank in boy scouts. Out of all the boys that crossed over to boys scouts from cub scouts last February, only 2 earned their Tenderfoot. We are very proud of Hunter! Jordan took the picture for us.

Hunter's Band Performance

Hunter had a Christmas band performance. He did a wonderful job playing the sax.

Hunter and his sax

He has been playing his sax everyday. He has really improved. We can tell what he is playing now without him telling us.

The 6th grade band

My parents were able to come to the concert. Unfortunately, Thom and Jane couldn't make it. There will be another concert in the spring so hopefully they will be able to come.

Hunter after his performance

This is one of my favorite pictures of Hunter.

Hunter and his Grandparents

Family Picture

We had a Poole family picture taken this year. We are so thankful that Dad is well this Christmas. All he wanted for Christmas last year was hair. So he received his Christmas wish a year later.

A Winter Day at the Zoo

We braved the cold weather to visit Riverbanks Zoo. Mom was on a hunt to see our new baby baboon, ready to suggest a name or help host a shower. When we finally came to the exhibit, there were no baboons to be seen, we guessed that the mother sought shelter from the cold before night. The baby's hair sticks straight up toward the sky. We can't wait to see her or him. Baboons are rarely born in captivity, and the vet doesn't know for sure the sex of the baby.

Even though we never saw the baboon, we enjoyed the zoo and all the Christmas decorations.

I like the way the presents are in scale with the giant tree

Jordan showed Mom and Dad the brick we bought for them last Christmas.

Mom and Dad and their brick

The zoo was beautifully decorated for the Lights Before Christmas.

A shocking experience for Jordan

I love this picture of Jordan and me that Mom took.

They had fire pits so you could roast marshmallows and make smores.

We are enjoying the warmth from the fire

The front of the zoo looked like a castle guarded with nutcrackers.

Christmas

We decided to take our Christmas picture this year by the lake. So we braved the wind and the cold for the family Christmas picture.

Our family

The boys and I

I really like this picture below of the boys and almost used it from our Christmas card.

Two of my boys

Is it Hunter or Tarzan?

Hunter loves to climb this tree at Mom and Dad's house. Well actually Hunter loves to climb any tree. Oh, the joys of childhood.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving Day with Thom and Jane. Jane fixed a delicious meal. Someone at work asked me want I was thankful for I told them a Mother-In-Law who could cook.

Happy Thanksgiving

Operation Christmas Child

We bought our first Christmas presents of the year. My dad and mom meet us at the store and filled a shoe box full of gifts. Hunter and Jordan both choose to buy presents for boys their age. Dad (with a little help from the boys) also filled a shoe box for a 5 to 9 year old girl. The shoe box present will be the only Christmas present for a child in an undeveloped country. Last year 8 million children received a shoe box from Operation Christmas Child. They started the shoe box program in 1993 and have sent them to over 130 countries. We should receive an email stating which country or countries our boxes were sent.