Christmas Day highlights

Capturing that first look:

priceless.

Any name suggestions

for our new family rock band? :)

Christmas Eve

We would do this

every year

at Grandpa and Grandma's house

with our cousins

when we were kids.

Now that we live farther away,

and do our own Christmas Eves,

we try to

carry on the tradition

of acting out the Nativity.

The kids look forward to it

every year.

(In case you were wondering,

London is a shepherd.

She's holding a sheep

and using her favorite blanket

to go over her head. Funny.)

They get to open one gift

before bed.

This year it was

much-needed

new winter pajamas

(microfleece - wish they came in

my size!)

And the stockings were hung

by the chimney with care. . .

Countdown

We are counting down

the days, officially.

Plates have been filled

and treats delivered

to neighbors.

Letters to Santa

have been carefully written.


And many pictures of him drawn.

Thanks to Sydney,

we even have a spot

for him to land

in our backyard.

I think we are

just about ready!

Are you?

Snow angel

We finally got

a real snowfall.

This was the first thing

she wanted to do

when she saw it.

Now Christmas can come!

A little Christmas cheer

Last night

we were favored by

a Christmas concert

at the middle school.

It helped to put us all

in a festive mood.

No, he's not singing a solo

(that will be next month)

but he had a speaking part.

He did a great job!

Here, enjoy some listening

for yourself. It was quite

fun to watch.

Cultural diversity

Today was so much fun!

We got together at the church

with some Hispanic

friends

from our community

and learned how to make tortillas!

I've always wanted to learn how,

and they were so kind

to share their expertise with us.

I learned:

nothing is measured with

cups or spoons, it is all

eye-balled, so it takes some

practice!

(And that made it difficult

to write down recipes!)

a tortilla press makes it

sooo much easier!

and they turn out prettier

than hand-rolling.

Corn tortillas are pressed,

flour are hand-rolled.

This sweet lady

showed us how to make

Bunuelos, which she

compared to donuts, only they

are rolled out flat and allowed to dry,

and then deep-fried.

Delicious!

It was such a fun way

to spend a few hours,

we made new friends

and learned a

bit of their culture, too!

New tradition

Tonight for FHE

the kids decided

we should do

what we did

last year and watch

Mr. Krueger's Christmas.

Last year was

the first time

they saw it,

and I guess

it was a hit.

So tonight,
we snuggled up

with blankets

and a fire in the stove, and

watched this wonderful show

for the 2nd year in a row.

I love the way it reminds me of

what Christmas is all about.

If you haven't seen it yet

this year, or seen it at all,

do. You'll be glad you did.