July 6, 2021

{December in Review}

11  comments

December was a wonderful month!  You’ve already heard about company, Christmas play, holiday celebrations, and such.  Today I’m bringing a final “December Recap” of some home moments.  True, a few of these are from the first few days of January, but oh well.:)
//lovely winter weather//
Contrary to popular belief, not all the Bontragers are jumping up and down saying “YES!!!!  We get to go South where it’s warm and miss out on all the brrrrrr Iowa winter weather!”  For many of us, it is very bittersweet to leave Iowa for the majority of the winter months.  
//projects//
Denver and Dad built some great new shelves for our “wood room” in the basement.  
//random memories//
This is Rebs and I in our pj’s prior to our family slumber party in the living room on Christmas Eve.
Carson showed himself very competent at slicing up the big ham we had for dinner one Sunday.
Holiday food-Mitchell making chocolate covered almonds.
Dad cutting onions for a salad another Sunday.
(our men aren’t typically in the kitchen a whole lot but we often all work together on Sunday dinners and they help out)
Levi and Gideon helped me in the kitchen- are they not the most adorable little guys ever?  I’m pretty much completely smitten, if you can’t tell.  Our friends, the Fikes, moved to Iowa from Florida just a few days before we left on our trip.  I got to help watch their five adorable littles on moving in day.  
//packing//
Taylor making beds in the bus
Huds vacuuming the hallway in the bus
Dad made the most awesome, handy-dandy laundry shoot ever!  It is in the closet in the bus, and it goes down to the bay (storage compartment under the bus) where a laundry basket catches the laundry.
Taylor pulling things out of the cupboards to pack
Mother getting frozen food to pack
Liz carrying a load out to the bus
Mother and Taylor working in the bus
Our poor dining room table!!!  It got loaded and loaded and loaded with stuff of all sorts.  I tell you, you wouldn’t believe how much stuff it takes for a family of twelve for three months!  We packed clothes, food, schoolbooks, games, books, instruments, sound equipment, cd’s and books to sell, kitchen supplies, gifts (we pack some birthday gifts, as well as buying some along the way), shoes, towels, washcloths, toiletries, paper supplies, etc.
This is a classic “Taylor” look.  
//hunting//
Carson shot a deer just a few days before we left.
Carson got this recipe from a friend, and man, was it ever yummy!!!
You take deer backstrap, stuff it with cream cheese, jalapenos, and Worchestershire sauce, wrap it in bacon, and bake it.  ahhhhhh!!!!!
This man is becoming quite a cook, by the way.
//playing in the snow//
The night before we left on tour, all of us kids went out and tore around in the snow.  It was lovely weather, and just the right amount of snow.  We really wanted to all play in the snow together before we left for the winter, and this evening was the perfect “last hurrah”.
Dad got this tube for us and it was our first time using it.
Mitchell and Carson took turns driving tractor.  A bunch of us piled on and away we went!
That night was is of our favorite memories together as siblings, ever.  
//take-off//
This photo of our winter wonderland was taken from the bus window as we pulled out the driveway last Thursday.  I just want to say a big “thank you” to all you dear friends who pray for us as we travel. It means so much to us.  
We have also been blessed by the kindness of so many lovely people along the way on this trip.  Thank each one of you for all the ways you minister our family!

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  1. What a fun post.. Looks like you all had a BLAST in the snow together! So happy that you got to get out there right before you left… although that probably made it even harder to leave… and I know what you mean, I LOVE Iowa winters too!!! I don't want to leave them very often… So far this year we have stayed home! I am glad of that! Missing you guys.

    Anyhow.. love ya guys, Mary

  2. Love all of the pictures! A snow! I love snow! U all look so cute all buddled up playing in the snow!
    Who's idea was it to use the tractor? I can't image how hard it is to pack a family of ur size and be in a busy for 3 months or longer. Do u all have Internet on the bus? It was nice of the guys to help cook! I'll b praying for u all to b safe traveling and that u all will b able to encourage people! Do u all find it hard at times to live in the bus with that many people for 3 months? I can tell that Mr.Marlin and Ms.Becky have raised u all to be loving w each other. My veiw on that is when the parents truly r in love w each other it shows the kids how to love each other and that's how the kids become best friends. The picture of Allison and Rebecca in their pj's is so adorable!
    In Christ,
    Lexi
    P.S. how do I find the address for the concert u all r doing in Litiz PA?

  3. Hi Lexi!
    We have used the tractor for years.:) Our internet as we travel is kinda sporadic. Yes, it can be challenging living on the bus for so long, but we honestly love each other so much and I know that makes all the difference! We have alot of fun together, at home and on the bus.

    Hello H. Landis,
    My mother used to hunt, but Chels and I haven't yet. We have taken hunter's safety course, however, and we love to shoot!

    blessings,
    Allison

  4. Hey Bontragers,
    Ah well it was very smart useing the tractor and it looks fun to! Do you all ever get upset bout not having Internet? I'd prolly get a little upset but I'd prolly get over it. My guess is w all of the instruments that helps not b board. Glad u all love each other!
    In Christ,
    Lexi

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