Christmas Pictures

Josh's Interviews

Well, Josh had two job interviews on the Monday after Thanksgiving. The first one was in Kalamazoo, MI. He was hoping to at least get that job and we could stay with his parents until he found another job. It was an entry level position and he felt over-qualified so we were pretty confident that he would most likely get that. It turns out they would need at least 2 more steps in the interview process, so I asked if he could schedule the second part for Tuesday...he was able to do that so we ended up staying even longer than we were planning, and still driving back after the interview. (It was a LONG drive.)
The second interview was in Goshen, IN. As soon as I saw him afterwards it was like he was giddy. He said he LOVED the company, would love to work there. It's a Christian company so that would be great. The only problem is that 6 (or 7?) other people were interviewing for the same position. As soon as I saw him, though, I just KNEW that is the job he was going to get. He said he felt UNDER qualified for this position, but I kept telling him that it doesn't necessarily matter, they would train him, he would learn, etc. He liked the company so much that he was hoping to get at least SOME job there, maybe even in the future if he didn't get this job if something else opened up.
Well, I was so thankful for a good interview, I was glad he was so excited about it, I had been praying for God to show him a clear difference in where we were supposed to be.
We weren't planning on leaving Fort Wayne until Tuesday morning but then since he got the second interview at the other job we headed up to his parent's Monday night, so he wouldn't have to drive as far and so that I didn't have to get up as early with the girls and we could just hang out in Olivet until he came back.
On a side note...the drive home was awful. We actually almost stayed in a hotel and finished the drive early Wednesday morning. Luckily we didn't have to.

More Decorating for Christmas

Josh had two interviews the Monday after Thanksgiving so we stayed longer than my sisters and their families. Sunday night we decided to put up my parent's Christmas tree since we weren't doing our own. Brooklynn loved it but mostly she was ALL about the Santa Mouse tree. Once she put in all the lights, she did it over and over and over again. I think when we finally left they were all out again. It was so cute to see her liking this, my sisters and I used to fight over who got to fill in all the lights every Christmas.

Attempt at a Cousin Picture

Well...no luck this time. 

Thanksgiving at the Ashley House

After a bit of decorating the Bean Christmas tree we headed to Fort Wayne to see my family. Everyone else got there in the morning so they got right down to business when we got there and my parents passed out early Christmas presents. It was one per family and it was a Charlie Brown Christmas book that talks and plays music. So cute. 

Uh uh....Gabby, stop teaching Josie how to eat paper.

"No Josie, THIS is how you eat it." -Gabby

There ya go, Josie...Gabby will be so proud.

Breakfast before church. 

Brooklynn is very sweet and gentle with little Josie. I guess her feisty attitude towards Gabby is just a sibling thing.

Josie is learning to roll.

She also is trying so hard to crawl...she doesn't go anywhere yet so she just looks a little bit like a seal. It is so stinkin' cute.

Gabby's Look-Alike

So in case any of you were wondering who Gabby looks like...we discovered it over Thanksgiving. This is her Aunt Erin. The hair is a little different (ok a LOT different) but besides that I would guess I was looking at a picture of Gabby.

Decorating the Tree

We decided not to do our own Christmas tree this year because of our crazy move. This little tiny tree I'm holding is our only tree...just to have a little bit of Christmas with us despite all the chaos of moving and packing. I always love decorating the tree. There is just something so magical about the Christmas season blossoming before your very eyes, coming together with family, listening to Christmas music, drinking some hot chocolate. Aaah. 

 Andrew kept playing this little trumpet Christmas tree ornament. How silly.

These two were inseparable. They even decorated the tree together.

 Brooklynn and Daddy.

 Gabby kept looking at the tree like, "What is this DOING in here? We're not outside!" It was pretty funny.