December 2013

Christmas Tree

Shortly after Thanksgiving we got snow, which is good when you want to go get a Christmas tree.  We packed everyone up and headed to LeSueur to Brewery Hill.  I forget how many years we've been coming here-maybe 13 years?  On the way, Lauren fell asleep which was ok since we had a sled to pull her in.  It was a little more on the chilly side so it didn't take us too long to find our "perfect" tree.  Afterward we went to Whiskey River for hot cocoa.  Brian and I decided that from here on out we go to El Agave for a margarita after tree hunting.  Whiskey River has become a huge disappointment so we will welcome the change in tradition next year.

While I had womens book study, Brian and the girls decorated the tree.  They did a beautiful job!

Christmas Plays and Choir Concerts

All the girls did great and we enjoyed all the performances.  Emily was one of the 3 wisemen this year, Rachel got to play bells, Natalie was the Angel and well....Caitlin was barely even visible...

The 2nd Graders

Emily and the JI Children's Choir (gr 3-6)

Rachel did a spectacular job on bells

You can barely see Caitlin at her Choir Concert.  She's right behind the red head in black, peeking a look at us.
There's definitely a difference in public vs. private school programs.  I enjoyed the singing but enjoy more when we can celebrate the real reason of Christmas, Jesus thru christian music selections.

Our Angel...Natalie even had a speaking part!  She did awesome!

Natalie and her friends at their Christmas party after the program

The 3 wisemen and their moms :)

Santa, Reindeer, Crafts and CookiesBrian took Rachel and Natalie up to the local Lumber Center to see Santa and his Reindeer.  Natalie was brave and told Santa all she wanted for Christmas.  The Reindeer was pretty cool to see too!  After her and Rachel painted a small ornament to hang on the tree.

Each of the girls had a fun foam project to put together one afternoon.  Rachel, Natalie and Caitlin were able to get theirs done fairly quickly but Emily had more of a challenging one to put together...a train.  It took almost all day but she finished it with a little help from Brian.

Last years cookies ended up a disaster..tasting like paint thinner because Brian was painting while we baked.  This year's however turned out great and the girls and I were baking machines.  We were able to do 6 different cookies and they tasted yummy enough to give to our friends.  It was a long day of baking and cleaning but it was fun and we got to listen to Christmas music all day and try the cookies too!!

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve we went to the 4pm mass.  Rachel and Emily sang in the choir and Caitlin was an alter server.  After mass we headed home to open a few presents-pjs, games etc..

Christmas morning came bright and early for us.  Brian was a bit under the weather and watched the girls open their presents from Santa, went to mass because he was a Eucharistic minister then headed back to bed.  The girls and I were happy to stay in our pjs all day and play with all the new things Santa had left us.  A new Lego set with 2200+ pieces kept us busy for a few hours.  The girls insisted we have a formal christmas dinner so they pulled out the china, set the table and I put a turkey breast and baked potatoes in the oven.  Even though Brian didn't join us for it we still enjoyed it.

Christmas with the Moore's, Salfer's and Gilbertsons

Jeff and Heather are Lauren's Godparents and Brian and I are Levi's so before the Gilbertson's left for their Christmas celebrations with their families we headed over to exchange gifts.  We are so thankful to call the Gilbertsons "family".  It was a bit chaotic but we're used to that!  Lauren got a dream light and Levi got Legos.

The weekend before Christmas we traveled to Lucan to celebrate with Mom & Dad, Bob, Laura and girls, Matt, Annie and boys. The kids love to get together with their cousins and it's nice for us adults to catch up.  The kids played all day with all the fun stuff Gpa and Gma had given them.

The Salfer crew:  42 of us this year

We gathered for good food and an afternoon of playing outside in the snow and inside with games and cards.  This is definitely a highlight of christmas vacation for our kids.  Getting to play with their cousins is priceless.  They always have so much fun and we are barely see them!!