This could get a little overwhelming with the photo onslaught but I'll try to keep it in check. Christmas seemed to really sneak up this year, and I don't think I'm alone in feeling that way. Really, didn't school just start? Sure seems like it here.
We will kick this off with some pictures of the kids performing at the tree lighting on base. Their school is invited to perform each year...and they are the only form of entertainment! That says a lot for the school's reputation, although I have yet to figure out if the Bender kids are adding or taking away from the group's reputation as fine singers.
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| Getting started with Mr. and Mme Matice |
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| Mme Matice is presented a coin from the General! |
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| The General and Mrs. getting a kick out of the little guy in the teddy bear suit, while the Mayor of Malmedy chats it up with Kate and friends. |
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| Posing. Big wigs here. The gentleman on the right is the Mayor of Malmady, the Belgian town that gives Shape their tree each year. |
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| All three kids are visible in this shot, see if you can spot them |
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| Love that Sam is glancing at his friend Cate. She is the female version of Sam in the Santa hat on right. |
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| Sing it Sister! |
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| MTB looking thrilled back there in that furry hat |
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| Sam and buddy Nicolas from Spain |
The Christmas tree is donated by the Belgian town of Malmady, which was the brutal site where 84 American prisoners of war were massacred by the Germans during World War II. Malmady has given a Christmas tree to Shape for the last 45 years as a token of their gratitude. To read a bit more on the area, you can check this out...
2 comments:
Love all the photos and am shocked by how big the kids are getting but at the same time it's weird how Matthew still looks so much like the toddler Matthew we knew so well. As cute as ever, all of them!! What amazing memories you are all making!
Thanks Julie! Matthew does look the same, he has changed the least of the three for sure. Thanks for checking out the revived blog...hopefully I can keep up on it half as well as you do yours. Happy New Year!
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