Here comes Santa Claus...

After the Nativity, things loosened up a bit.



We sang some Christmas carols.

And then this guy showed up!

Tony's smiling because he's been a good boy all year. Nothing for him to worry about.

Santa happened to be in the neighborhood and stopped to say hello to some of his favorite people.

"Well... I'd really like a puppy"

Santa very gently explained that he never brings dogs on the sleigh because they bark at his reindeer.



Santa was so charming that even though the puppy request was nixed, Emily still liked him very much.

You just know a girl who wears light up antlers is going to get along really well with Santa.

Sarah's thinking, "Oh man... its been a while since I sat on Santa's lap. This seems a little awkward"

Hey. If Tony can do it, so can you.



She was good all year and didn't ask for a single thing. Typical and awfully sweet.

Santa was so patient to let us get our pictures taken with him on his busiest night!



Santa loves Grandma and Grandpa. They're some of his best helpers.

What a fun Christmas Eve!!

"...shepherds abiding in the field,"

For as long as there have been grandchildren in our family, there has been a Christmas Eve Nativity performed in my parents' house. This year was no exception. The only difference this year was that we were missing our big boys (my nephews). Chase is in Chile and Clark was still in Logan. The show did go on without them and they were missed. Here are a few moments from the production.



Backstage.

Maddie cracking up over Emily's comments about 'Mary's' need for some support undergarments. We'll just leave it at that. 'Nuff said.

My brother Tony, reading the account of the Savior's birth from the scriptures. Perfect length, just the right amount of love and reverence. Great job Uncle Tony.

Sarah as one of the Herald Angels and the star in the East.

Em as a shepherd and cousin Hillary as a lamb.



Big Henry, Little Henry and Grandpa were wisemen. Grandpa was cast and paparazzi so he's not in this photo.

The Nativity is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. It is a special thing to be able to do this with my family every year. So important to remember what we're celebrating.

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

Norman Vincent Peale

Greensleeves... the performance.

On Saturday afternoon we attended what may have been my favorite piano recital ever. It was a Christmas recital made up entirely of Christmas carols, duet style. There were brother and sister combinations, brothers together... even cousins. Some students don't have a sibling and played with another student or with the piano teacher. The duet that tipped the balance toward best recital ever was this one...

... a sister act.

Finally. All the hardwork and practicing paid off. They did such a fine job. I'm the mom but really, it was fabulous!

This woman is amazing. She is one of the very best piano teachers in Utah. Her name is Susan and she has raised teaching piano to an artform. She is calm, patient, kind and expects much of her students. Our girls are very lucky to be learning from her.

Each student was asked to bring a dozen cookies to the recital for refreshments afterward. The night before, Emily made her first batch of cookies without any help from me. She counted them up, "I've got a baker's dozen here Mom. I'm ready"

This nine year old is hardworking, creative, independent and a good baker and I love her like crazy. Yummy gingerbread cookies sweetpea!

The other selling point of this recital was the attendance of both of my parents. Dad just retired two weeks ago and is now free to come to recitals and programs. We're so happy about that!

A fun afternoon for sure. Rich and I are very proud of Sarah and Emily. Keep up the good work!

Celebrating Connie

Almost every Sunday the whole family gets together at my parents' home for dinner. We usually help out and bring a side dish or dessert or rolls to add to the bounty. The food is always delicious. Better than all the good food is the time spent together. Its just plain fun.

Sometimes we get to celebrate a birthday! A few weeks ago we celebrated Connie's birthday. Connie is my brother's wonderful wife. That makes me a lucky girl because I get her as a sister.

Here's Mom bringing in the cake as we sing.

Make a wish!

Henry, Hona and Sarah waiting for some cake.

Check out Hillary's reflection in the mirror.

Sarah likes to perch on laps. She's a snuggler. She's also a little glassy eyed from the big dinner and lots of cake.

Henry, Maddie and Megan on the love seat watching the birthday girl open her presents.

"Aunt Connie... I picked this card just for you!"

I love my family.

Sleepover Sugar

This is my niece Hillary. She's one of my sister Tatiana's darling children.

Hillary slept over at our house Friday night. Yay!! Fun for us!

In honor of this auspicious event, we broke out the gingerbread house kit we got at Costco several weeks ago and had some fun.

There would have been even more colorful candy decorations on our masterpiece had there not been such rampant snacking of the building supplies.

Even on camera we're hard pressed to keep Hillbill's mitts off the gumdrop walkway ;)

Later that evening we had crepes suzette with fresh strawberries and real whipping cream. Mmmmm.

This is where the girls lapsed into their sugar coma/sleep.

The next morning we had cream cheese toaster streudel for breakfast. Nary a complex carbohydrate in sight for close to 18 hours.

Glad to see those college nutrition classes paying off.

Come back soon Hillary!

Sweet Baby James

I love Christmas music. I picked this up last year and have enjoyed it thoroughly. Of course I've liked James' music since the 70's, so it stands to reason I'd like this CD.

Here's one of my favorites from the album. Relax for a few minutes and enjoy.

Ivana

We had Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' home. It was a wonderful time. Delicious food and all our family to enjoy it together. I love Thanksgiving.

After dinner, Emily and a few cousins retired to the basement to play. There are loads of dress up clothes down there and after a while, Emily came upstairs attired thusly.

One of Dad's old ties for a sash

Some leftover lace for a skirt

An old pink chiffon robe for a scarf/cape

A beaded clutch bag

Just the right amount of costume jewelry. Nothing gaudy.

She swept into the room and in her snootiest tone introduced herself as Ivana RichMann. Emily has some pretty large (and by large I mean big ticket) goals. World travel and owning and running a big ranch with lots of horses are at the top of the list. It would appear Em has determined that marrying into wealth is not a bad option.

She's nine... but she's got a plan.

She then invited any interested parties to join her in the basement to play Pictionary on her team.

I do love this girl. Go get 'em sister.

Chores can be fun!

If this fabulous music is playing in the background while I'm performing various household tasks...

doesn't it stand to reason that this gentleman

is helping me fold the laundry?

Works for me.