Let it Snow!

We got some snow today and it was wet enough for Julene to make a snowman all by herself.

Jared was just as excited to go out and brought me his snow pants to put on. I still can't believe how many connections he makes.

Here is the finished product. It's not very big, but Julene and Jared were thrilled. Julene knew exactly what she wanted. She told me to go inside for the carrot nose, something curvy for the mouth, a hat, and scarf. I like the tumble weed arms. She also added snow ears later.

Today was also the last day for school and the Christmas sing. We enjoyed all the numbers.

Nathan was so animated and bouncy during his numbers. His body just feels the music all over.

Marianne was very cute and reserved. She was the only one Jared actually saw and he was pleased to see someone he knew singing.

Janae's grade sang Carol of The Bells and she got to be one of the chimes throughout the piece which she was thrilled about and practiced her part very well. She also got braces today. Yes, this is something new for all of us. She has been pretty excited and picked red and green bands for Christmas. We'll see how long the excitement, and soreness lasts.

Last week Janae, Nathan, and Marianne had their clogging Christmas program. We all enjoyed it. Janae and Nathan were so fun to watch. Janae is as dramatic as ever and her team is getting really good.

Nathan's boy group sure do some fun things, and he is becoming quite the stage presence. We tease him about his cute bum shakes at the beginning when they have their back to the audience. He says he was just trying to relax before the music starts.

Marianne was pretty nervous and told me she wanted to quit, but I said she would have to wait until after her performance and not let her team down. She was the most nervous about their Christmas dance which they had only practiced a few times and were doing freestyles in, but she seemed to be one of the ones who remembered it the best. She still says she wants to quit and doesn't like performing. We'll see what the new year brings.

The excitement is just overflowing at our house. I think it elevated on Sunday with the Christmas program. I still love hearing Randy's choir numbers. They did his new arrangement of Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring. He included two violins, soloist obbligato, piano, choir, and french horn. (I suppose the french horn can sometimes be included in the woodwind category.) It had a very classical feel, which I really liked. They also sang an arrangement of Silent Night that was just beautiful.

I taught the 4 year olds the Christmas lesson, and they were just enthralled. There truly is something spiritual in retelling the first Christmas. Our class also gave sharing time, which wasn't quite so magical. Julene was teasing, lifting up may skirt, and trying to talk in the microphone. Would she have been so bad if I wasn't her teacher?

Everyone came home from church with lessons and gifts for Christmas, and more gifts and treats came home from school today. Can you feel the energy? Can we make it just 3 more days? What if Santa doesn't bring what you asked for?

Never too late to say Thanks

It's been a while. I meant to post soon after about our Thanksgiving and time just got away from me.

This is Marianne during her class's Thanksgiving reading.

We were able to have my Grandparents, Parents and brother over for Thanksgiving. We were a small enough group that we could use the china that had belonged to my Great-Grandmother. Julene thought it was pretty special that we could use the fancy dishes that were in the living room.

The Monday before Janae had us make a family gratitude paper chain that she got from her Activity days leader. We hung it around the light above the table. It seemed to help us get into the spirit of the holiday. Nathan even suggested going around and saying what were thankful for during the dinner. But we forgot, and he reminded us to do it while we were having our pies. They both knew the real purpose, even if us adults are more worried about the meal.

Our only problem that day was me getting a cold. It worried my grandparents, and they left the next day. (Which was better for the weather anyway.) Almost everyone has taken their turn with it lasting about a week, and we're doing great now, except Jared seems to have gotten a new one. It's hard to see the constantly dripping nose, that he doesn't want wiped.

Our children have been really excited about the Christmas season. They got out all the decorations the day after Thanksgiving. I was surprised how big Janae and Nathan are getting. They did so much themselves. I would not have been that ambitious. Nathan brought out the train, and Jared has been enthralled with it ever since. He can now say Choo Choo Ain. He comes to get anyone who will help him turn it on or fix it if falls off the track. Thankfully we now have many others who can work the train.

My best purchase for the season was 4 chocolate holiday countdown calenders. We usually have two advent calenders that I do my best to keep track of whose turn it is. But this year with everyone having something of their own, there has been no arguments about the other calenders. I will have to do this every year.

We have already enjoyed some holiday activities. We went to the Festival of Trees where Janae was able to dance, and we were all able to see the fun trees. Nathan and Randy particularly liked the Lord of the Rings themed tree. Marianne and Nathan also were able to dance at a retirement facility this week. This was Marianne's first performance. She just beamed with excitement.

We have also made our sugar cookies for the season. (We might still make some more.) Sunday was Stake Conference, and Randy was in charge of the music. They sang Randy's I Need Thee Every Hour and an adaptation of Come the Fount. It was beautiful especially I Need Thee Every Hour. This meant that I was alone with the children and cookies were the promised reward for good behavior. We were very blessed that day. I seemed to have added patience along with their good behavior.

This year I had read about painting sugar cookies instead of frosting them. This went so well!!! It usually is big project with me frosting almost every cookie and then letting them decorate with sprinkles. Now they frost and decorate at the same time! This will be the new way to decorate cookies at our house.

We love all the Christmas music, and we feel glad that it is now no longer strange to be listening to.