First time to ice skate!

 Watching the Zamboni machine at the Allen Event Center Ice Rink

Annie and I took the children to an introduction to beginning skating class.  They were grouped into 3-4 yrs of age, 5-7 years of age, and 8 and older.  The class lasted 30 minutes and taught them the basics of how to fall and get up safely. 

 After their class was over, they had free skate for an hour.  They mostly stayed on the sides but sometimes ventured out into the middle, always together as a group of three!  

 They got pretty cold with wet jeans and gloves, but we were so proud of them for getting up and trying again every time!

 A mug of hot chocolate always makes things better.

Train Day, 12/27/14

Today was Matthew's and Granddad's "train day."  We started off with a ride on DART from Walnut Hill to Downtown and back, followed by a nutritious meal at Wendy's.  Then we chilled at Collin Creek Mall until the Interurban Museum of Plano opened.  We had a real good time. 

December memories

 Hallie Claire's first preschool choir concert

 Matthew had 3 drama parts and 1 speaking line in the Christmas musical.  Here he is playing the saxophone in the Ritzy Inn Band.

He told us, "The BABY is the treasure!" and then sat at the manger scene with the other magi and angels.

 We have some dear friends who even attend childrens choirs events for Matthew and Hallie Claire.  

 Curtis and Susie Barlowe

 Gene and Janet Autrey

 Last week Matthew was Otter of the Week and got to have his "All About Me" page posted on the second grade board in the hallway.

 "Little Susie Homemaker" dons this apron about every other day as she helps me make soups, casseroles, and desserts.  She loves to pour in the ingredients or shake in the spices.

 She received this beautiful apron from Aunt Lara and Uncle Jason for her third birthday.

 We enjoyed a Christmas dinner at Josephine Gorman's house in Midlothian this weekend.  Matthew loves being with Uncle Hal.

 Hallie Claire and Julia Belle loved playing upstairs with Josephine's dolls and toys.  Bonner let us borrow her Christmas dress worn by Carolina and Louisa!

 Grandad holds Matthew and Carolina - both 8 years old with birthdays only 3 weeks apart!

Bonner, Josephine, and Molly

Ryan, Hallie Claire, and I drove back home to Allen, but Matthew stayed with Hal and Elizabeth this weekend.  He went to church yesterday, to the mall to hear Elizabeth and Josephine sing with their church choir, and to a restaurant.  Today he will be helping on the farm!  

Uncle Bubba at Hobbs Army Airfield Christmas 1944

Above is a program from a dinner on Christmas Day, 1944 at the Hobbs NM Army Air Field.  Uncle Bubba (Dr. Oscar Marchman, Jr.) was stationed there during WWII.  He is listed at the top of the roster in the second image.  I downloaded them from the HAA Facebook group that shared these images yesterday.  Hope you all enjoy them.  The person who runs the page is going to search for more information that mentions Uncle Bubba.