Snow Play

Not too old for the cold . . . yet. . . 

Overlooked Snow Pictures

I missed these interesting snow pictures. 

Doesn't everyone play basketball in the snow?

I guess I need a sign that says "Do not hang from rim."

Day after Christmas

According to one news article, this was technically the first white Christmas since 1949.  I say technically, because the snow began late Christmas night.  The snow fell through the night and we woke up to 6 inches of beautiful snow.  Church was cancelled.

It's unusual to see Anika in a coat, let alone a hat.
Her hair is soaked here because she stood for some time in the tree shaking it to create a snow shower.

Matthew heading off to offer help to a neighbor.

This boy refuses to wear a coat.  Even in the snow.
Needless to say, he didn't stay out very long.

I'm pretty flexible about coats generally.
If kids are cold, they'll put a coat on.
As long as they're safe (i.e. 5 feet from the house), I let them choose.
If we're going somewhere, I make them at least take the coat with them.
I did offer Henry coat, snow boots, and gloves.

Little helper

Jackie in her new coat

Morgan hanging out in the front yard.

The girls created this pulpit, from which they conducted primary.
They also planned talks to give in a short devotional time.

Finally, some pictures of our beautiful snow.

Christmas Morning

We are some of the meanest parents I know . . . at least on Christmas morning. 

Before we go downstairs to open presents, the kids are required to shower and dress.  Their rooms, the bonus room, the hall, and the bathroom must be absolutely SPOTLESS.

This is a beautiful thing.  True motivation.

Around 8:00 A.M., we were ready to go down.

This was the first year Santa wrapped presents--this was popular and may become a tradition.

After opening the Santa presents, we took a break for our traditional Christmas breakfast--Oliebollen.  

Oliebollen are a Dutch fried bread recipe passed down for generations in our family.  I think my family might have called them scones when I was young.  We like them sweetened with  powdered sugar, honey, and jam.

 This is a picture of my great grandmother making Oliebollen.

I won't bore you with all of the gifts we exchanged, but here were some of the most memorable:

A K'Nex roller coaster for Anika

A scarf hand knitted for Morgan by a school friend.

Morgan hand knitted a scarf choker for Jackie's American Girl Doll.

Anika gave me cute earrings that her friend made.  They were a  re-gift, but she doesn't have pierced ears, and I was excited to have them.

BYU t-shirts for everyone.  It's about time we had some regalia from our favorite school.

The basketball shirts were a smoking hot deal at $5 each. . . 

Jackie was excited to receive Anika's used unicorn, 

complete with a hole in the back.

Oops--I guess I forgot to help Anika finish her Christmas shopping.

Dad received his favorite cereal.
You may not be able to see it, but along with the new beard, he's sporting braces. 

.

Jackie and Morgan had a great time the crafts they received from Aunt Rene and Uncle Jeff.

Aunt Rene asked for some ideas, and then she and Uncle Jeff spoiled us with everything I put on the list.  

Grandma and Grandpa gave the kids cash, which they were excited about.  Morgan said, "That's more money than I've ever had at once."   And our other Grandma and Grandpa are coming to visit this week--they always spoil us too.

It was a very fun Christmas morning for all of us!

Christmas Eve

Every year, we carol to the neighbors with a family from across the street.  First, we ate a spaghetti dinner, complete with homemade bread and jam.  Then we bundled up, sang "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", and delivered jam to six other families.  Normally we would sing one more song, but the air was close to freezing, and so were we.

For the first time ever, we opened one present on Christmas Eve.  New jammies.  For everyone, that is, except Anika, who made it adamantly clear to me that she did NOT want to wear anything but the mesh shorts and soccer shirt she currently wears.  

This is what happens when you tell the girls
to kiss the four-year-old brother for a picture.  

When we got home, we also started our traditional reading from Luke, complete with costumes and acting.   The children knew exactly which parts they wanted.

Baby Jesus

Mary

On the donkey, going to Bethlehem.

Anika is the donkey.  Jackie is . . . "someone leading the donkey."

Runaway Donkey

Mary and Baby Jesus

Angels We Have Heard on High

After the Christmas story, we rushed the kids off to bed.  They all wanted to sleep in Morgan's room, so Henry and Anika slept in sleeping bags.  They were all asleep by 10:00 p.m.

Merry Christmas!

When I returned from choir practice on Sunday morning, I found that the girls had been hard at work.  They had straightened the family room and created this nativity from American Girl dolls and some fabric found in a drawer in my room. 

Notice the children's scripture book on the music stand on the right.

And you can't see it, but a Bible is propped on the couch--opened to Luke.

The American Girl on the left (Kit) has short enough hair that she is Joseph.

I'm grateful that our children care about the true meaning of Christmas.

Job Done!

Though I still have a box of Christmas cards sitting on my counter to send, I did surprisingly finish jam this year.  We delivered this to teachers, friends, and some church members.  Tomorrow we'll deliver more when  we carol to neighbors.

Yes, we actually walk around and sing with another family in the neighborhood.  I'm sorry for those who would rather not stand on their doorstep and listen to us, or those who open the door and worry about the heat going out or the cold coming in.   We have fun regardless.  Our main song choices include "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," and "Angels We Have Heard on High."  The kids usually sing melody, while Matthew or I break into harmony.