MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

We want to wish everyone a very Merry and blessed Christmas from the Provenzano household. We pray that you all enjoy the season and remember our Savior who was born so that He may die for us sins, giving us the hope of eternal life in heaven. If you are travelling, please travel safe...enjoy your time with family and friends. May God richly bless you this season and this coming year.

A funny little story about the season. Elizabeth LOVES baby Jesus and baby Moses. They are by far her favorite parts to read in the Bible. Well, she continues to hear songs on the radio and asks, "Mom, they are singing about baby Jesus, right?" "Yes, Elizabeth, they are." "Mom, baby Jesus isn't an adult, he is a baby." We had to work on the fact that BABY Jesus didn't die on the cross for us, that Jesus grew into an adult and than died on the cross. Well, now she is still convinced that Jesus is a baby right now. Try rationalizing with a three year the concept that we just are remembering when Jesus was born during this time of year, that He is actually in heaven waiting for us to meet him someday. She is convinced that He is in the stable right now. It didn't help that at church they had a manger scene in their program with a real baby playing the baby Jesus. She was CONVINCED without a doubt that it was him! (even though it was really the baby brother of one of her Sunday school friends.) We had soup supper after the program and she was in absolute AWE because we sat with the family and she proceeded to say, "MOM, look we get to sit by baby Jesus!" Simple minds and simple faith...faith that I guess we all need to have.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

My Baby Mama Tum a Couple of Days Ago

Here it is just a couple of days ago...continuing to grow, praise God!

Christmas Program at Church

We had a little Christmas program at church the other night and the girls both participated. It was sweet and such a great reminder of the true meaning of this blessed season.

Our Gingerbread House Creation

The Cupcake Maker

One of the only things that Elizabeth had on her "wish list" was a cupcake maker. As you can tell, she LOVES it and we have been doing a lot of cupcake making (in the microwave mind you) these past couple of weeks. The flavor choices, chocolate and "vallinna" as she would say!

Winter Debut at Debut Dance

The girls had a little mini informal dance recital this past weekend. Santa made a visit there as well.

Decorating the tree and an early visit from Santa

Here we are decorating our tree...our decorated tree...opening gifts from an early visit from Santa...

After cutting the tree, we had to go sledding on the hill at the cemetary across the way!

Despite the crazy wind chill, the girls thought it would be fun to check out a hill on their sled that was across the way from the tree farm. At one point they got going so fast and Matt was supposed to be stopping them, but he got a little distracted and they ended up bailing instead before they hit the fence. Oops!

Getting the tree in the house

So, it was another feat to get the tree IN the house. Here are some pictures from that. We only ended up breaking a door jam in the process. In one of the pictures you will see Matt standing behind the tree before we stood it straight up. You get the picture as far as how FAT this tree is!

The World's Biggest Christmas Tree...At Least for a Duplex

We had fun a couple of weekends ago with Matt's parents and getting our tree.It is the biggest tree we have ever had. In fact, before bringing it into the house, Matt had to cut off about 2 feet. We can't even get the angel on top because it is still so tall! It will be a tree that our family talks about for years to come I am sure!












The girls had to supervise dad as he was cutting the tree, cheering him on. He had to take a couple of breaks, it was hard work! THAN we had to try and get the tree to the car!You get the picture!

The verdict confirmed....

So, on Friday, we had another ultrasound and they confirmed without a doubt that YES, it is a boy and a girl! We are very excited. We had a nice weekend with Matt's parents in town and Matt was home for a long weekend from Mason City. I will post more later from this weekend!

The first snowmen of the season!

It was snowing in Iowa today like many other parts of the Midwest. The girls couldn't wait to get home and play in it. Though there was only about an inch on the ground, it was great packing snow and it didn't stop them from each making a snowman. It was a lot of fun! I am sure there is a lot more of the white stuff coming our way this winter!

A Visit from Aunt Laura and Uncle Michael

On their way from Denver to Wisconsin, my brother Michael and fiance Laura stopped by for a couple of days. It was so wonderful to see them and to meet Laura. The girls adored her and can't stop talking about "Uncle Michael and Aunt Laura." Thanks guys for stopping by! While they were here, we took a little trip to the Amana Colonies. They sat in the biggest walnut rocker and Elizabeth had to have her picture in front of one of the biggest bubble gum machines of course!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We went to Mason City this past Tuesday night and came back today. It was a nice long weekend to see Matt. We celebrated Thanksgiving with the Lee's who were such gracious hosts in inviting us to join their family for dinner. Here are some pictures of the girls eating leftovers at the apartment. Hope everyone had a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving!