The Annual Christmas Picture

No, this isn't our annual family Christmas card picture. It is a tradition far older than that--it is the "Laura and Amy are home for Christmas so let's take a picture" tradition. We gathered with some other friends on my parents' couch in May 1994, before leaving for college, and have taken some sort of group photo every December since then. Who would have thought that, 14 years later, we would have six little ones between just the two of us??? Maybe I should dig out the other photos... (maybe our mothers can find some from when we were in Toddler Tumblebugs at the Y together 30 years ago--eek!)

Dancing Reindeer

Sarah had a fun dance recital a couple of weeks ago at Family Wellness (like a YMCA). Her teacher, an actual former professional ballerina, is just so nice and does a great job with the bouncy little girls. Here they are, warming up before the recital. I think they are jumping and doing "passe," but I am not a ballerina. :) Anyway, we enjoyed watching our little reindeer dance to "Rudolph" and "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas."

Our Little Angels

We had a big day on Sunday! The children were all angels in the Sunday School Christmas program during church.

Their job was to yell, "Surprise!" whenever something unexpected happened in the story--like God promising a savior to Adam and Eve, Cyrus freeing captive Israel, and, of course, God coming to earth as a baby in a manger. Their favorite part was when the angels appeared to the shepherds and the children got to yell, "Multitude Surprise!" and flit around the big kids saying, "Glory to God in the highest!"

At the end of the program, one of the church members gave each of the children the traditional paper bag of treats, which they thoroughly enjoyed. The older ones were happy to pose for a picture, but Michael just said, "I tired of being an angel. I not want to be an angel anymore."

It was a good thing we had a potluck lunch to fill our hungry tummies right away!

Strangeness in the Parsonage

You never know what you'll see in our house. There could be pirates at dinner, an explorer ready to search under the dusty stairs, or even an Auntie tipping the cat off her chair on Thanksgiving. You just never know.

Michael in a Basket

The other day, Sarah and Michael were playing "Miriam and Moses." Here you can see Baby Moses, all tucked into his basket to keep him safe from Pharoah and the crocodiles. He also has Elmo to keep him company. Our little Moses was pretty tired, so he stayed in his basket for much of the morning while Miriam flitted around the house, checking on him and bringing him more blankets.

Not our Christmas Picture

We decided to take some pictures after the Advent service tonight. (Maybe before would have been better....) There were a couple of Christmas card possiblities, and this isn't one of them. It captures the family pretty well, though! Thanks to Ruth for doubling as organist and photographer.