Christmas Eve

Last year Faline and I started a new Christmas Eve tradition and this year we were blessed to be able to continue it!

We got up EARLY (thanks Randy for making it earlier this year... sigh) and headed to church to start cooking. As you can see from the picture we were a wee bit tired!

The day had the makings of a DISASTER, but dad came and saved the day! Or at least the cooking!

You see, no one bothered to tell us that the stove and the ovens at church had not been working correctly! So when we got there bright and early to turn the ovens on nothing happened. That is to say, the ovens did NOT get hot! Now how exactly were we supposed to cook Christmas Eve dinner without ovens???

Thankfully dad, a self proclaimed jack of all trades, master of none, came and saved the day with and inexpensive part from the hardware store. Thank goodness! We were back on track.

We were blessed with MANY helpers in the kitchen that day, including Josie, Queen of mashed potatoes! She has already requested INSTANT mashed potatoes for next year.... but I think she might get out voted!

Amazingly, even with starting over 2 hours late (thanks to the stove situation) dinner was ready just a few minutes late.

We had a plethora of yummy food....

We had friends and family all around us

And some wonderful fellowship!

Afterwards we even had a dish fairy and lots of help cleaning up!

Then it was off to candlelight Christmas Eve services!

(which might have been too much for these two tired little helpers!)

Here's praying that we get to continue our tradition next year and may many more join us!

Audrey's Ballet

On Sunday I got to watch Audrey and her friends in the Winter Showcase for her dance studio!

And take pictures too, of course!

This was the ballet piece she was in.

They danced to the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" piece from the Nutcracker.

Of the two pieces Audrey was in, this is the one she enjoyed the most leading up to the show.

But I think that is because learned it faster than her jazz piece!

They did very well...

And Audrey was thrilled ....

If you couldn't tell!  LOL

I am thrilled too... that she enjoyed it so much and had fun!

My dear friend was kind enough to record it, so now you can see it too!

Hope you enjoyed it! We sure did.

Audrey dancing.

Show Day 1!

Princess Audrey has been working VERY HARD to get ready for her studio showcase show, and day one show was today!

This is her ballet class. They have been working on the Sugar Plum Fairy dance for this show.

Ballerina Audrey at dress rehearsal this afternoon.

And at the show tonight!

And one more from the show.

I actually worked back stage tonight, so I didn't get to see the show, but I heard that they did well and a friend took these pictures for me.

This is the Jazz group that Audrey is part of.

They have been working their booties off on a number called Dance Dance. This number was a REAL stretch for all of them, but I think they finally pulled it together!

I KNOW Audrey has been working so hard for this show, I can't wait to see her tomorrow!!

If you would like to come see her too, I know that there are a few tickets left for tomorrow's show!

2:00 in the afternoon at Studio @ in San Luis and tickets are JUST $10 for adults and $5 for kids!!

Call or text me if you want more information!

It's Not All About Santa

Our church puts on a kid's night called "It's Not All About Santa" that we got to be involved in this year.

The theory is a fun night for the kids so the parents can go out shopping.

First we had dinner and crafts.

The the kids practiced the songs that they would sing on Sunday during service.

They are pretty cute!

Then it was craft time!!!

I helped teach the kids to make their own Soy Candles.

We had some GREAT little creators that night! 

Nat wasn't too into the crafts, but he did well with the marshmallows!

Drew was trying to play marshmallow bingo with the kids....

But the marshmallows kept disappearing!

But the highlight of the night was the snowman race!

There was a girl's team.... 

And a boy's team....

The girls had a plan...

The boys had silliness and speed...

And a cute little snowman (yes, that is Nathaniel under there!)

And of course, the cutest little snowman won!

We had lots of fun, made some great crafts and even found a great snowman!

That is my boy!!

He is a HAPPY boy!

Do you want to know what has him smiling so big?

Nathaniel made the Honor Society again!!!

This is an award that he seriously LOVES to get. He gets so excited every time that the letter comes saying he made it!

And, as you can see.....

He stays excited about it too!

Way to go my super hard working scholar!

Nathaniel also loves to see his buddies get awards too....

And sometimes manages the cutest pictures of his buddies!

It was a great night of giving tribute to all the hard work kids do at school!

And just because.... 

Here is a shot of Audrey too...

Can't be accused of playing favorites right?

Although...

 in case you couldn't tell by the fake smile...

she was having a serious 'tude issue that night!