Christmas Memories 2023

Christmas is a time for traditions, and our Christmas Eve included our annual sibling gift exchange, pulla and hot chocolate, Jason's bacon and eggs, a trip around town to view Christmas lights (with a stop to visit Grandma and Peeta), and then a viewing of A Muppet Christmas Carol.

Earlier, Janae and Alaina had played a piano/cello duet of "Sleep, Little Jesus" at church, which was beautiful.

Christmas morning the kids were up and ready to go at 7:30 (not quite as early as in past years, thank goodness!). They unwrapped their gifts, and then I got the turkey in the oven. 

 

Then we picked up Grandma, who came over for dinner and entertainment--Janae played the violin, and Eric just made us laugh :)

The next day my family got together at Tina's for another turkey dinner--almost all 27 of us were there; we were just missing Sheri's daughter, Brooke.

Then the day after THAT, we surprised Anita's daughter Kya with a bridal shower! Kya got engaged this past summer, and her wedding will be in August ... but we won't all be together before then. She was truly surprised, and we had a nice time together--I even won Bridal Jeopardy, thanks to a Final Jeopardy question about Queen Victoria's wedding fashion :)

This Friday, Janae and Alaina got to celebrate New Year's a little early at a church youth dance as well.

As always, I wish it could all last a little longer.... 

It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot More Like Christmas

We’ve had such warm weather this December that it’s hard to believe Christmas is almost here! With the kids in school until yesterday and me working until the 21st, it hasn’t felt all that Christmassy. BUT, over the past few days, it’s started to look and feel a lot more like Christmas!

Here are some pictures/videos:

Eric’s school spirit week, where he had to "make a new beard for Santa."

An early gift to Alaina from Ben—a new hamster! Alaina named him Ushi.

Cuddles with Pumpkin by the Christmas tree (when she isn’t climbing it!) We didn't get a real tree this year for obvious reasons (I mean you, PUMPKIN).

Our church Christmas party with Santa

The School Christmas concert, where Janae's art class displayed "Santa through the Ages." 

I've put in some links to clips from the choir songs below. Alaina also played in the jazz band (I was sitting in a spot where I couldn't see her at all, but she had her trombone all lit up with Christmas lights!) and accompanied the choir on the cello for one song.

Christmas Waltz (Janae in the back row, Alaina in the front)

No Room (Watch/listen for Janae in the back row, Alaina in the front)

Muppet Christmas Carol Medley (Janae on the far left)

Holiday ice cream (Candy Cane Land, Turtle, White Chocolate Cranberry....)

 Yesterday we made turtles and Oreo truffles, and there has been lots of dipped gingerbread and hot chocolate…. Tonight we even watched White Christmas.

Finally, it’s staring to feel like Christmas—just in time for Christmas Eve!