But Where Is Our Snow Day?

We've had two spectacular snow storms already this year. First, the night of Advent Workshop, it snowed enough to coat every tree, house, car, and yard in fairy-tale white. Then, on the 18th - 19th, we had a big ol' NorEaster that smacked the mid-Atlantic with 1-3 feet of snow. We only got eight inches, but that's not half bad. Now they're calling for snow on New Year's Eve.

So what's the problem with all this pretty seasonal weather?? It keeps happening on weekends and holidays! That means no snow days, and of course, getting out of school is half the fun.

Lucky 13

Could somebody please tell me where our cute little 5 year old is, and how she got replaced with a teenager? I mean, really, how rude!

This was not a year for Kairi to have a big party, but we were blessed to have Grandma and Grandpa here to celebrate with her. The six of us had breakfast and watched Kairi open her birthday presents. Mostly she got clothes and DS games, but she also got a makeup box from us and a beaded cross necklace that her great grandma had made.

Hannah, Faith, and Juli were dropped off for church, and we met up with Barry after church at Burrito Grill. Everyone had their fill of tacos and burritos and quesadillas and chips and guacamole. Barry and Hannah gave her another makeup kit, so now Kairi has enough makeup to last her entire teen years! Then we had to hurry back home in order to get to the Rave to buy tickets for Kairi's birthday movie, Sherlock Holmes.

Kairi's friend Kaitlin was visiting from Nebraska, so Kairi invited her along to the Birthday movie. We met at the Promenade Shops and had ice cream from Maggie Moos and let the girls wander around Claire's and Aeropostale while Jenn and I browsed around Barnes and Noble. It was a big step for both of us letting Kairi wander around without us. Kairi and Kaitlin had a great time, but unfortunately none of us particularly liked the movie. The girls said they didn't understand, Jenn was bored, and neither of us thought it was "Holmesian" enough.

After the movie, Kaitlin had to go home, but the rest of us had a great dinner of fettuccine alfredo, which was Kairi's pick. She also picked a red velvet cake which we had picked up at the Fresh Market. Kairi got to open one more present, a frog from Cyndy, who wasn't able to make it to lunch or dinner.

All in all, it was a happy birthday. But if it were up to me, she would be 13 again next year.

Christmas Chaos

Let's put it this way.

There were presents.

And there were hugs. And there were relatives.
And there were more presents.And more relatives.Which meant more presents.And more hugs. With kisses. And cooties.And lots and lots and lots of food.
And, of course, presents. And did we mention the food?

A merry Christmas to all. And is it time for good night yet???

A Very Special Present

I got a very special present this year from Mom. The nativity scene above (actually, there are many more pieces, that's just a close-up) was hand-painted by my grandmother. I have always loved it, and Mom decided she wanted to give us heirlooms this year. I will treasure it always!

Best of all, it reminds us that the greatest gift of Christmas can't be bought. He was already given to us all, on a quiet night in Bethlehem.

Yes, You Can Open ONE

Every year, it's the same thing.

Everyone gets to open one present early.

Why? Cause we all know what's in them, that's why! It just wouldn't be Christmas without snuggly new PJs!

Thanks, Grandma!

Nicky's First Concert

According to his quarterly writing piece in fourth grade, Nicky is "living the dream". He's wanted to play brass for years, ever since his sister started with the French Horn. But his aspirations are longer and slidy-er. He wants to play trombone.

Turns out, he's pretty darn good at it. After a slight mishap where he traded his slide with another player and neither of them could get their trombones together, Nick played "Jingle Bells" like a pro in the Holiday concert. Best of all, Grandma and Grandpa were here in time to see his very first concert.

Here's hoping he sticks with it - so far he's loving band.

Nobody messes with Santa. You know that, don't you???

This year both Jenn and I decided to do most of our shopping online. Many of our presents were ordered through Amazon.com on December 10th and December 15th.

Shopping online was supposed to be easier. Neither of us would have to brave the crowds (although we did go out for Black Friday again this year). The presents were going to come right to the house. It was going to work out perfectly.

Except now it is December 22nd and we are still expecting three shipments. We got a lot of our presents yesterday. Maybe it was because of the snow over the weekend, I'm not sure. All I know is that I think next year I am going to order online earlier, or brave the malls instead.

Must Be Santa

Who else could get away with giving out presents a week early? Only Santa. Or as our family calls him, the "REAL" Santa. See, Faith and Nick have both noticed those imitation Santas that seem to float around this time of year. But the REAL Santa goes to Daddy/Uncle Scott's work for breakfast. So we caught up with him there, and got presents and delicious breakfast.

Good thing the photographer had a nice camera. My replacement is HORRIBLE, and I was frustrated all morning trying to get semi-decent shots.

The girls were delighted, but I caught a vague hint that this may be a dying tradition for our own two. But they still love the bacon from the buffet!

But I Like a Cookie...

Christmastime in our household means it's also baking time. This year, Jenn and I had the extra challenge of dieting while making the cookies, which is no small feat. Friday night, we made the sugar cookie dough so it could be baked this morning and decorated by our kids along with Faith and Juli. We started early this morning with fudge and candy cane cookies, since both were somewhat difficult, so the little ones couldn't help us with them. Cyndy, her friend Ben, and the girls came over sometime midmorning and helped with peanut butter blossoms, reindeer cookies, and cutting out the sugar cookies.

Unfortunately, not everything went according to plan. With only one mixer and one oven, it was hard to get the cookies done in an orderly and timely fashion. By the time the sugar cookies were baked and cooled, the girls had already left, so Jenn and Kairi did most of the decorating while I replaced the thermostat in the water heater, which had broken for the second time this winter.

In the end, we made about 25 dozen of assorted types of cookies, including two new recipes (peppermint blossoms and peppermint double-decker fudge). They were all delicious. Many of them ended up going to work and church, with some left over for Christmas.

Advent Workshop

We finally got to go to Advent Workshop after several years of conflicting schedules. But it couldn't be TOO easy, so of course we had a snow storm that evening.

It was no big deal, though, as we arrived before the snow became a driving issue. And when we left, kind members of the church ran out and brushed off the cars. Cyndy brought her girls, and we all had fun making crafts, eating yummy food, and watching the talent show.

Next year, I think Drew and Nick need to work up a comic routine. They are already the church clowns, anyway!

Deck the Halls

We got our Christmas tree early this year because the marching band ran out of trees last year before we had a chance to pick ours up. It was Jenn's turn, and she got a tree that was nice and full, but unfortunately it was a little shorter than we usually get, and it turned out to be crooked. But it was the first one we saw, and it looked good enough.

Jenn and I got the lights and garland up, then all of us hung up the ornaments. It's an eclectic mix of older ornaments, gifts from Jenn's students, and things that the kids made at Advent Workshop and school over the years. They might not match, and they might not fit a particular theme, but they are definitely "Us".