Visit with Santa

Cookies & Milk with Santa Fundraiser

To support the upcoming school fundraiser, Mardi Gras, in February, each grade is asked to assemble a basket for the silent auction. This year, the 4th grade has been assigned an "All Around Town" theme. Michele Dessaurer and I volunteered to gather donations for the basket which include a personalized blanket with smiling faces of our 4th graders! To raise funds to fill the basket and purchase the blanket, we opted to host a Cookies & Milk Open House with Santa. It was a huge success with all cookies consumed, few tears, wishes whispered in Santa's ear, and almost $200 raised! Here are some photos of the event!

Elves earning Community Service Hours!

Kids Big & Small Sat on Santa's Lap!

Santa & Alex

The Annee Boys Posed with Santa!

Todd and Nate

Todd has had the pleasure of working with/mentoring Nate Morgan, an apprentice with the IBEW.

Here they are in the new addition at Northminster. See those lights way up high - they have a story of how they installed them!

5 Years

Last night, Todd was honored at the Miller-Eads Holiday Party for five years of service with the company. The event was held in the ballroom at Union Station. Miller-Eads was also celebrating the company's 40th anniversary!

Todd just finished up an 18 month project for Miller-Eads at Northminster Pres. Church which is conveniently located less than a mile from our home. He gave me a tour earlier this week and I was impressed by the extensive renovations. Todd was concerned that there would be no where for him to go but on Monday he will report to Veolia Water to help out another contractor on an electrical project there! Todd does great work and is a people person so hopefully Miller-Eads will continue to find projects for him. Otherwise, he could be sitting a long time with over 500 electricians out of work in the Indianapolis area!

I'm Hot

On Monday I had lipotripsy completed on my left kidney to break up stones discovered back in January after they zapped my right kidney. They recommend waiting 6 months between procedures to allow your kidney to heal. I waited as long as possible but wanted to complete the procedure in the same calendar year to save the medical deductible! Anyway, the procedure went fine and that evening as I was successfully holding down the couch with TJ. I felt a bit warm so I asked TJ "Am I hot?" Without missing a beat - he looked away and said "This is one of those moments I have to be careful." Looked back and me and announced "Yes, Mom you are Hot!" I stampered and said "I mean, do I feel warm?" I have not laughed that hard in a long time. His dad is teaching him well!

Decorating the Tree

Cousins

Tyler and Ethan stayed over the night of Thanksgiving. The three cousins played well together and we enjoyed having them. In this photo, as Ethan looks on, Tyler challenged TJ to a chess match! Tyler did well once I made TJ promise to not do his "4 move checkmate" on the unsuspecting opponent! Then TJ taught Tyler the moves!