Our Christmas ~ 2008

Concerts and Programs and Plays Oh, My!

This December has been filled with many fun activities and some of the most enjoyable for us were the ones our kids were involved in. We kicked off the month with a 5th and 6th grade choir concert on December 2nd. Alexandra has worked really hard this past semester staying after school every Monday to learn words and music to some old and new holiday songs. She even sang a few songs in other languages. Leighton made his (semi) acting debut this month. The second graders put on a wonderful Winter Concert with some acting/dancing to each song. Leighton decided he wanted to do a bit more than just sing from the risers so he signed up to be a dancer/actor. He ended up with a part that required some dancing around on stage helping to build Frosty. He did his job very well and I do believe he was quite proud of himself.

Alexandra performed in "A King is Coming to Town" last Sunday at our old/home church. It was a darling play and pretty humorous. The premise: looking for a "king" and thus Elvis, King Tut, King Kong all made their way to town until at last, the true King. Alexandra was one of the towns' people being interviewed by a reporter and also a 50's girl who did a cute dance with some friends before Elvis arrived.

Olivia is in her second year of band. She is enjoying playing the flute, although, the 150 minutes of practice outside of school each week is not as enjoyable. It is amazing how well these students play after such a short amount of time. Olivia was excited about being "Fourth" chair for the concert. She was the only "sevy" on the front row. Interpretation: 7th grader. The mass band (150 students) is divided into five bands. Olivia is in Concert band which is second from the top. She plans to try again for the top band, Symphonic, in 8th grade. The band director commented that they had only played together as a mass band for 20 minutes before the concert. It didn't help that on concert day there was a 2-hour delay. You would never have known it that night. Each of the five bands perfomed a couple of songs and the mass band played a few songs as well. The sound was incredible. I captured some shots of Olivia before the concert and a few during. I'm thinking she was supposed to be listening to the other bands play while she was not. Fun times!

MORE DECEMBER HAPPENINGS!!

Alexandra graduated from the D.A.R.E. (drug and alcohol resistance education) program at school. This program was developed years ago by an officer whose son died from an overdose of drugs. Hopefully what they've learned will stay with them throughout life.

Alexandra and her cousin Stephen were both born on December 8th - only 11 years apart. We celebrated both birthdays at our house when Stephen returned from college on Christmas break.





Gingerbread house making.

Winter Party in Leighton's 2nd Grade Class.


Leighton doing a relay at class party. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Roach (greatest teacher ever!)

Christmas Caroling and Party with Friends!

Going out for breakfast with cousins!

Much to Celebrate!

V Alexandra's 11th BirthdayV

December 8, 2008

Alexandra's 11th birthday was Monday and the celebrating began before 6:30 a.m. A tradition in our home (for our kids) is breakfast in bed. She woke up to apple/cranberry bread, sliced bananas and cranberry juice; not to mention video and camera production. After finishing breakfast and opening a couple of gifts (so she could wear them to school) she was off to school.

Rich and I surprised her at school during lunch time and met some of her school friends.

Rich had to meet with a church for a "20 minute work meeting" (actual time - one hour) located 40 miles from home. Being that it was Alexandra's b-day, we all went. While he was in the meeting the kids and I sat in the van watching a Christmas movie. All was good. Since we were 40 miles from home we planned to eat dinner after the meeting at a Japanese restaurant in this particular town. Hibachi grills are always a hit at any age.

It was 9:00 p.m. when we left the restaurant with a 40 minute drive home and a couple more gifts to open! Sixteen hours after Alexandra's day had begun she was opening her last gift. Needless to say, we had some sleepy heads the next morning. All in all, I would say Alexandra had a good birthday.

Clock Radio with Ipod dock and nature sounds

Necklace Leighton made

$ and potholder loom from G-ma Marilyn

THE NEXT DAY

~Y~ Our 19th Wedding Anniversary ~Y~

December 9, 2008

We began a tradition last year (why we didn't start it sooner, I'm not sure) that Rich takes the day off work and we go out for breakfast and then do Christmas shopping. We did that once again this year and had a very enjoyable day. What could be better? Breakfast out, shopping and doing it all with the one you love. awww.
One of our favorite restaurants and one that we've celebrated several wedding anniversaries is Maggiano's. This year was no exception - except . . . we took the kids with us. We had a very nice evening with great food and some reminiscing along the way. We'll not soon forget the prayer that Leighton prayed for our food - something to the effect ". . . and thank you for the greatest parents that I love so much and for letting them get married. I think that's just great because they brought us with them . . ." Out of the mouth of babes; I think his heart was revealed in that prayer.

The lemon cookies our kids die for at Maggiano's. Olivia took it upon herself to ask our waiter if they did anything special for anniversaries. Of course they do! They stick three candles in the dessert of your choice, light them and stick you with the bill. We were going to order lemon cookies anyway. ;o)