Great Wolf Lodge

Goin' to the Lodge...Great Wolf Lodge....

We go to this totally awesome Water Park every Christmas, year after year. Tradition!

Pizza, Sonic freezes, Chik-fil-A, MagiQuest, and of course the Water slides and TORNADO!!!

Christmas Day!

We made sure to buy stock in Apple before this Christmas. We also love Haymarket Bicycles-Duane bought his first Trek Madone Tri bike. Feliz Navidad!

The Night Before Christmas

On Christmas Eve, the Reindeer food goes out, cookies and Coke for Santa and a note. Then the most important part-we all sit around the tree and Ash reads out of the scriptures and Austin reads the Story of the 3 Trees. We sang hymns and performed music for one another on the piano. We end with our testimonies of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Then we turn in with the assurance of the Lord's love and calmness instead of the angst of presents. Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Christmas Piano Recital

December 19th I had my annual Christmas Piano Recital. This is such a treat to look forward to. As I teach my students the love of music and performance, I am the one who is rewarded as I listen to my kids play with emotion and poise. GREAT job to all of my students who did such an excellent job. Most importantly Ashley, my star student, my daughter-way to go on Away in a Manger. Beautiful final performance. And good job to Sol who has taken voice lessons from me this semester. Your solo of Silent Night was gorgeous. We ended with me accompanying everyone in a final Christmas song to wrap up the night. Nothing makes you feel Christmas spirit more than the power of music.

State Dept Diplomacy Holiday Party

This Christmas season, Secretary Clinton put on another Diplomacy Home for the Holidays Party. What was great about the party this year was that Duane was home to go! They had the standard hot chocolate fountains with fresh cream, candy cane sticks, White House cookies, and a candy bar where the kids could make whatever they wanted. They even went home with Recordable Books from Hallmark so Dad could record his voice reading books to the kids while he's out on deployment. This has always been a real treat for us.

Daddy's HOME!!!

Daddy came home Dec 12th for the holidays. But what was great, was the kids didn't know! He flew in and made sure they got on the bus before he came home. That afternoon, I video-taped the whole thing. We picked the kids up early from school and went inside their classrooms and surprised them with Daddy picking them up instead. It was a real tear-spiller. Welcome home Daddy! Only 8 more months of being away from each other. Ever!

Merrifield Garden Center Santa

HO HO HO!

This is an Excellent Santa!! He even caught on to Austin's questioning and smoothed things over a bit. The kids pinky promised to love each other and they put in their requests. We went with the Johnsons (tradition) and had a great time! Santa even gave me a hug.

Ash's Birthday Party

December 10th, Ash had her friend Birthday party. We had 6 of her buddies come over, and we played Bingo, Dance Off, Made friendship pins, played Hot Barbie (hot potato) and ate a Big Pink Barbie cake and ice cream. Ash had a great time!

Santa

We love to see Santa Claus.. But this year, it was a new Santa Claus. Austin said that "Instead of smelling like Mistletoe and holly he smelled like a Chikfila breakfast burrito." The rest of the day Austin had been questioning the reality of Santa. I'm sure it started on the bus, at recess, etc. But this year (9) the real questioning began. I sat down to talk with Austin and told him that I still believe. And I always will. That made him smile and I think I'm okay for one more year. No matter what he thinks, I'll never tell the kiddos otherwise. In their hearts I hope they always keep the magic alive.

Ash's Birthday Dec 6

My little Girl turned 6 this year. I still can't believe it. It's amazing the difference between 5 and 6 is. Especially in girls! We started the day with a present of sky ping with Daddy, Birthday Princess crown and pin, a new outfit and waffles. I picked her up early to get her "hair done" (a cut) and then dinner at her and my favorite--Cafe Rio. Being six is great!