Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night

When Hope was 4 years old, Brandon decided to start the tradition of reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to her on Christmas Eve.  Our family has grown and the tradition has continued.  This year marks the fifth. 

2006

 2007

 2008

 2009

2010



Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

To update, Hope decided to audition for the Lunch Bunch show, Annie, figuring she could still do basketball if she didn't get a part.  She did get a part - she was chosen to be Annie!  She is very excited, but a little anxious about all she has to learn.  She can now call herself a "professional", as she will get paid a whole $5 for every show! : ) We're proud of her and know that she'll do great!

Zoo Lights and Santa

We go to the zoo a lot throughout the year, but it's a whole new experience every December when they put on Zoo Lights.  It's always a cold, but fun time!

This year we hadn't seen Santa before Zoo Lights, so we waited in line there to talk to him.  EJ was very excited to see Santa until it was actually our turn.  At that point, she wouldn't go near him, and only peeked around the tree to watch Hope and Beck visiting with him.  Hope asked for a touch screen MP3 player.  We told him Beck wanted a new monitor.  The only thing on EJ's Christmas list is a ball.  She had Hope pass along to Santa that she wanted a blue bouncy one.  Hopefully Santa's elves can make one, otherwise he may have to spend a lot of quarters trying to get the right color out of a vending machine!

Mr. Smily

Here's a short video of our little guy.  Please excuse my pig noises.

Hope as Susan

Hope's debut as Susan in Miracle on 34th Street was Saturday.  She did wonderfully well!  We're so proud of her!  She's considering auditioning for "Lunch Bunch" at the same theater.  It's like a dinner theater for kids.  They do the show, but they also learn to greet, seat, and serve lunch to the audience.  She has to decide by Friday if she wants to audition.  If she were to become a part of the group, she would have to skip out on basketball this year.  We'll see what she decides!

I have video clips of a few scenes from Saturday.  I wasn't at a great angle, but you can get the idea.

                                                            Susan and Doris

Susan and Kris Kringle

And the part that always gets me teary  . . . the bow.

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

Cookies and Hot Chocolate - only Thunder can peel his

eyes away from The Grinch