Christmas Pajamas

Every year we get new pajamas for Christmas that we open Christmas Eve. I have always wanted matching pj's but since we range from toddler to giant buying them is out. So I finally made them! For a non-sewer this was quite the task. Fortunately I had lots of help from my sister and mother-in-law. Everything fit and looks great! I can't wait to see everyone in them tomorrow morning.

Christmas Eve nativity

After dinner we went to my sisters house where the kids acted out the nativity. It was cute to see all the angels, the baby girl Jesus who did not want to cooperate, the three cousins as the wise men and even a camel. I love that all the kids get to participate. Three wisemen

The shepherds visiting the newborn king.

Angels rejoicing

Joseph, Mary and Jesus

Christmas Eve talent show

We started the tradition last year of having a talent show on Christmas Eve before dinner. I love seeing what the kids (and sometimes adults can do).

This year the girls sang Silent Night in Spanish with their Spanish speaking Aunts and Uncles. Mariah wrote 4 Christmas Haiku's.

Alyssa played Jingle Bells on the trumpet.

Caitlyn read a holiday poem.

We also heard a poem by one of the families about nobody. It was funny. 2 nieces and one nephew played the piano, a few of the kids sang and one Uncle led the group in playing chimes.

After dinner we had a formal dinner at our house for 26 with ham, scalloped potatoes, croissant rolls, dinner rolls, green beans with almonds and 3 layer Christmas jell-o. The dinner was good and the company was great.

SNOW

It has been snowing for the last 20 hours and is expected to go through the night. The kids are loving it. Mariah has built a fort in front of the house and the neighbors across the street are building another one so they can have snow ball fights. I love that they can do that. Bundled up warm and with the promise of hot chocolate when they are done the kids will play and build for hours.

Parker in the fort.

The neighbor accross the street and Alyssa building her fort.

Parker, a neighbor friend, and Andrew getting ready for the fight!
Mariah making more snowballs.

Mariah's Birthday

Mariah had a birthday yesterday. She turned 14!

I remember the day she was born vividly. I was 11 days overdue and went in for a stress test so she could be induced the following week. The doctor on call looked at my chart and asked if I wanted her that day. Of course! 12 hours of pitocin, an epidural, a 3 hour nap and 5 minutes of pushing later she arrived before the doctor. She suprised us then and continues to do so now.

I love her ability to tackle new projects. She loves to read, sew, and craft. She is always looking for a new project to start.

Christmas Sunday

The Sunday before Christmas is dress up time for the kids. They look so beautiful and handsome.

Aaron is the church choir. In addition to singing with them he had a solo. I love to hear him sing.

Band performance

Alyssa played in her firstband concert at the junior high last week. She is the first chair and the only girl trumpet player! She is doing really well and likes to play. We are very happy for her.

I am also grateful that she has her fathers musical abilities and not mine!