RUF Christmas party

Just how many peeps can we fit into the Dirks little home? Well, we aren't exactly sure, but we did fit 40 or so students in for a Christmas party last week. It was a blast and the tacky Christmas sweaters were fabulous.We did a white elephant gift exchange.
Some gifts were great.
And others not so much...
I wish I had a picture of us all squeezed into this tiny room for the gift exchange...the volume practically tripled. It was sort of amazing, not sure how we did it.
Our fabulous intern Katy with some awesome students.

Jesus Christ is Lord!

This moment brought tears to my eyes this morning as my children played with the nativity. As they finished telling the story and acting it out with these little nativity figures the finale' was bowing them down before baby Jesus. My prayer is that this Truth would settle into their sweet little hearts and that they would continue to recognize the real meaning of Christmas. That He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and the most amazing gift a Father could give his helpless children.
"every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess...
-Romans 14:11

Random Christmas fun!

We are gearing up for Christmas here at the Dirks abode and like many of you we are enjoying some family time.
Like baking with our Grandma. (Don't worry this ones not a messy recipe hence why it is occurring on the couch).
And snuggling with our Poppa.
We've hosted two Christmas parties, this one with our supper club (love these ladies). And (post to come) one with our RUF students.
We have thoroughly enjoyed checking the mailbox all month long for Christmas cards and occasional packages from Kansas. In one of our packages the kids got their yearly hallmark Christmas ornaments from Grams. They were a big hit (Henry got cars, Haven got her "my 1st xmas ornament" and Maggie Grace got a ballerina). They immediately went on the tree, thanks Grams and (Melodee too) for the packages.

Tree Lighting at JWU

We headed to Gateway Village for the annual tree lighting. The kids had a great time, but we missed having our Daddy with us. He was in Dallas for RUF training, Christmas time is way better with Dad. The tree was beautiful and the kids were being really sweet.
Haven met Santa for the first time but was way more into the Christmas rock music being belted out on the stage to her left.
And this was the first year that Henry wasn't terrified of Santa. So, I feel like that is a pretty big deal.
However, the Grinch was still a no go for him. But, Mags is always a fan.

Three Amigos

Okay so I've got a lot of blogging to catch up on. So, let's just dive right in and talk about an amazing cousin weekend we had with our buddy Brody. He is sort of a celebrity in our house so we shipped him in for the weekend in order to study all his sweet moves. And, I think it was a success. Also, I attempted to gain the title of "Best Aunt Ever," so I had a lot of work to do. But as it turns out Maggie and Henry get me way more cred with Brody than I could ever muster up on my own.

These little beauties were created during our weekend o' fun.
We did some decorating and a whole lotta taste testing and finger lickin.'
Oh yeah...just trying to earn some awesome auntie points (and maybe some Mommy ones too).
Why yes I did draw this amazing chalk race track in our back yard.
Did I let them watch Bible Man in super hero garb?
And take them to a birthday party for Jesus at our church...yes and yes. I'm expecting a plaque of some sort any day now from Brody.

Oh Christmas Tree

Henry decorating the Christmas tree.
The three kids and their stockings.
Even Super Girl decorates.

slumber party

A few weeks ago a major event occurred in the Dirks home, we had a slumber party with our pal Lucy. The girls dressed up, played games and attempted to sleep. The giggling lasted for quite awhile but died down around 10pm. One would have thought that the late night giggling would have lead to a late morning sleep in, but oh no, the giggling returned around 6am. But, who can blame them, after all it was a slumber party and one must give equal opportunity to both the slumber and the party.

5 Months Old!

This little cutie turned five months old today. I can't believe how quickly time goes by. She is so precious to us and is such a good baby. She is very content to watch her brother and sister play and even allows some rough handling from big brother. And she does it all with a smile on her face.

Play time is more fun on a Kansas State blanket, don't you think?She is quite the roly poly baby. I took this picture because she rolled herself right under the coffee table and it made me giggle (and her too).