Christmas Eve Nativity

On Christmas Eve, we had a Nativity play with the six kids. It was pretty funny, especially once Claire agreed to wear a sheep costume. Because of the kids playing multiple roles, that meant we had a speaking sheep as an innkeeper, but when you have six kids under the age of 10 acting out a Nativity, that was the least of our problems!

 The show, apparently, was riveting.

Alyeska Family Fun

The week before Christmas, we went up and stayed at the Hotel Alyeska with lots of family. We got to hang out with some out-of-town cousins, and spent lots of time swimming in the pool. The view was gorgeous, the kiddos were great, and we had lots of great food! Doesn't get better than that!

 

December Adventures

Thanks to world's most ghetto advent calendar,

 we have been busy with December activities. We made a Santa Christmas Countdown

 crafted a gingerbread village

 bought and decorated the Christmas tree

 made popcorn balls

 and even got a snow day! Kenley made this to-do list for the day. A girl after my own heart.

Nutcracker

Once upon a time when I was a little girl living in Anchorage, I got to go to the Nutcracker with my mom (though, my grandma just told me that SHE took me to the Nutcracker, so maybe this is a fake memory and this was all with my grandma, or maybe I went more than once). Anyway, she bought me a delicate gold bracelet with yellow hearts, and little gold ballet slippers dangling off of it. I thought it was so elegant and special, and I have had a special place in my heart for the Nutcracker ever since. Last year I was determined to take Kenley, but missed it since I had foolishly assumed it would be in December, since it's a Christmas ballet and all.

ANYWAY, this year was the year! Kenley and I went to the Nutcracker together, and as much as I loved the ballet, I loved watching her sweet little face even more, as she gazed at the stage with her chin cupped in her hands and a look of awe on her face.

This is Kenley's "Can we PLEASE stop taking pictures and go in now, Mom? And by the way I'm 10" face.

 Me and my girlie, after the show.

Her favorite dance was the dance from China in Act 2 (random fact: Kenley loves all things related to China), and her favorite part of the date was that I let her get a fruit and cheese plate at intermission. I love that girl.

Fun in the Snow and Ice!

The day after Thanksgiving we had an impromptu ice skating party at our local elementary school (they all have outdoor rinks). But it had snowed all weekend, so James and Eric had to work hard to shovel away a loop to skate on! The kids had a great time - they are so much more confident on their skates than they were last year, especially Parker. It is so fun to see them learning new things!

Sadly, the fun ended with all three of our kids like this. It was about 10 degrees and COLD, and we stayed just a little too long, culminating in lots of tears as we loaded into the car.

This is what the front yard looked like on Friday... so beautiful.

And this was our sunset. The sky was so pink and gorgeous, with a strip of blue at the bottom. It was amazing, I wish the pictures could do it justice!

That night, we were out of energy for making dinner, so we decided on a party buffet. Leftover Thanksgiving appetizers and rolls, sliced apples and pears, Chex Mix, and popcorn. Can't eat gourmet every night, even when you've got a chef in the kitchen. ;)