White Christmas

It was a white Christmas this year.  Early Christmas Eve it started to snow.  Dan and his family flew to Utah on Christmas day.  They came over Christmas Eve.  We ate dinner, exchanged gifts, and had a impromptu talent show where Ben sang a song from his choir concert as well as played Jolly Old St Nicholas on the piano while Ally and Grace sang along.  Ally, Grace, and Joseph also sang some familiar Christmas tunes.  Andrew sang O Holy Night.  It was a very nice evening.  Nanitzi, Catherine, Andrew, Mom, and I finished the evening after everyone had left by standing around the piano and singing our favorite Christmas songs.  Andrew and I slept in the basement and watched Elf while Santa came.  The next morning we started off another day full of fun.  It was wonderful to wake up and look out our window to see all the snow (Well, it didn't quite cover the grass, but it was still beautiful).  We took advantage of the snow and went sledding.  Jacob took Thomas out for his first time in the snow.  Uncle Bob and Aunt Elizabeth came over during the afternoon.  We all had an enjoyable evening playing Just Dance, Family Feud, Wii Sports, and Family Game Night on the Wii.  We also found a new favorite; Imaginff.

 Thomas's first Christmas which turned out to be a White Christmas!

 Such a happy little kid!

 Don't forget about the snowball fight which started after returning home from caroling.  Luckily I was safe because I was holding the camera. :)

 Thomas was all bundled up to take some pictures in the snow, but after awhile he couldn't sit up while wearing all those clothes.  :)

 These are two of my favorite views.  The table set for Christmas Eve with the snow through the window in the background.

 And the Christmas tree next to our fireplace.

 And let the talents begin.-- Ben singing- It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Ally and Grace singing Jolly Old St Nicholas with Ben at the piano.

Christmas morning.  Joseph waking Andrew up.

The line from youngest to oldest.  Abigail and Thomas slept in so Joseph was the youngest.

Thomas woke up.  But I think he still might have been a little tired.

Joseph showing Thomas his new book.

Skyping with Joanna and the kids Christmas morning.  Carter opening his Buzz Lightyear from Grandma and Grandpa. 

Thomas sledding with his dad.

Grandma having fun in the snow.

 Joseph and Hannah- Pictures thanks to dad.

 

Andrew and Thomas.

Abigail woke up a little later.  Joseph helping her open her gifts.

Christmas Traditions

We went and got our Christmas tree at Pea Ridge Christmas Tree Farm as we have ever since I can remember. We got a great tree. It was much bigger then we've ever gotten, which is saying a lot because our family likes big trees. It took quite a bit of trimming, but we got it standing. I love decorating the tree and just sitting and watching the lights. It is always a sad day when we have to take it down. 

   

Dad and John chopping down the tree.

 

December 3, 2010

Another fun tradition is the old time Christmas Traditions in St Charles.  It's always fun to go and see all the decorations and the actors who are dressed up as different Santa's and people from around the world. My choir was able to be a part of the festivities on one of the days. We were also able to participate in the Las Posadas which was a really neat event that we, as a family, had never been able to attend. But I think from now on we will try to attend every year.

My choir singing on the steps of a house in old St Charles. (For a more detailed description of the Las Posadas see the link above.)

December 4, 2010

We attended the Bach Society's Christmas Candlelight Concert at Powell Hall for the first time this year. Jacob, Lexy, Catherine, and John also came with us. It was a really neat event.

December 21, 2010

Another new thing we did this year was starting this puzzle of Times Square.  Nanitzi, Lexy, Catherine and I had a fun time putting this together. We finished it such a short time that I started another one.

This one took quite a bit longer but it was still fun.

Joseph enjoyed helping me put together our gingerbread house. His favorite part was eating the gingerbread people once we were finished. :)
December 27, 2010


But out of all these different traditions, I think that one of my favorites is just spending time with family.

Christmas Eve- Grandma and Grandpa with some of the grandkids

We even got to see and talk to Joanna, Ryan, Ellie, and Carter through Skype! I can't say it enough. I love technology!

(Favorite picture of Thomas so far.)

Grandpa with Abigail.

Andrew and Thomas

David, Ayanna, and Shaia came into town on the 29th. We can't believe how fast Shaia is growing. (And just between you and me, she took her first steps walking to her Aunt Hannah. :))

Grandpa and Abigail at the City Museum. December 30, 2010