Kennedy's Christmas Piano Recital

Kennedy played well at her Christmas recital Tuesday night. We are so pleased with her progress over the last year and a half. Kennedy She truly enjoys the piano and has a great teacher. Here she is with two of her friends, Emily & Elizabeth, waiting for the recital to begin.

Silent Night by Franz Gruber

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YotpB27LWzs

French Carol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd5S6s56SsM

Kennedy's first duet was with her friend, Emily. They played The French Carol. I was so happy to see how they were able to pick right back up after the little mistake. The girls did such a wonderful job. We are proud of them.

Nutcracker and Ice Skating

I took Jackson and Kennedy to see the Nutcracker. Kennedy loves the ballet. It was our fifth consecutive year seeing it together. Jack had been asking for a couple years if he could go, so this year I decided he was ready. He was very polite during the production and only once did the lady in front of him turn around and ask him to keep his feet off her chair. But when it was all over, he said that he didn't care if he ever saw it again.

A few years ago, Kennedy and I started going ice skating after seeing the Nutcracker. It has been a neat way to top off our day. Jackson was thrilled to join in the tradition. It was his first time on the ice and he did an amazing job. He fell continually, but every time, he got right back up and tried it again. I loved his determination and perseverance.

Kennedy enjoyed herself, too. She is growing up though and did not want to hold my hand while skating this year.

We finished off our time with some peppermint hot chocolate and a visit to the model train inside the Seattle Center House. It was a lovely day with my precious children.

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Right after Thanksgiving I took the children to Nordstrom for the 9th annual Santa photo.

Jack and Harrison wrote letters and read them to Mr. Clause. Both boys are asking for a flashlight for Christmas. McKinley's first Santa photo.

Jack looks so grown up to me.

Cousin Karsten came too. He had the peek-a-book photo taken.

Please note that this photo was taken before Mikey's candy-cane-in-the-hair trick.

Here is the YMCA Santa.

Our little McNugget's 2nd time on St. Nick's lap.

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Tonight Kennedy said she wanted to draw a picture of Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty kneeling down to worship Jesus in the manger. I'll post if she allows me. I think it is a great idea.

Why Our Two-Year-Old is Not Allowed to Eat Candy Canes Anymore This Christmas

Elfy Fun

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/9PWQ8bZSXWezu7UW?cmpid=ey_fb_self

Click on the above site for some laughs. Just wait and the clip will play on its own.

Enjoy!

Family Collage

This is what I spend too many hours working on last night when I should have been sleeping. Most of the photos were taken by our friend, Leah. It is a pretty good representation of our family this year. I scanned them as one photo and sent it off to Costco to have our Christmas cards made out of it. Tomorrow I'll pick it up and see how it turned out.

We are so thankful for our family. It has been a wild ride these past several months, but I know that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.

P.S. If you double-click on the image above, you can see it magnified.