The kick off to our Christmas season was the Celebrate the Nativity event hosted by our Stake. Bryce and Thane participated in the Children's Choir and performed Friday evening. They both loved the opportunity to get together with friends on Sunday evenings to practice and enjoyed performing as well.
Aubree sang with the Youth Choir for the first time. She loves to sing and looks for every opportunity to do so. The Children's choir performed at 5pm and the Youth Choir performed at 6pm. I did not do a good job of planning ahead, so we pretty much had cookies for dinner until we were able to finally get home around 7pm to cobble together something that might pass for a real meal.
Saturday afternoon we were back for round two. The previous day we hadn't had much opportunity to enjoy the activities, so we went earlier this time. We hit the dress-up room first thing to get our annual nativity family pictures.
Aubree insisted that Nellie be an angel with her this year.
One hallway is decorated with artwork from kids and youth in our Stake. That hallway is always a highlight, especially when the kids can find their own submissions.
Thane worked painstakingly long to draw all the hay in his manger scene.
I was super impressed with Graham's drawing of Christ knocking at the door. I outlined his work in Sharpie, but otherwise, he did it on his own (after looking at the picture for inspiration).
Our efforts to get there early meant we had extra time to spend in the children's craft room.
The primary reason we returned on Saturday was to hear Aubree perform with her Christmas Strings group. They had 99 young violinists and cellists performing and they did a phenomenal job. In fact, both Bryce and Thane leaned over and whispered, "I want to play the violin now."
After the Nativity performance, we grabbed pizza for dinner (I clearly hadn't learned from the previous night's experience). Mark took the littles home while Aubree and I zoomed over to the local High School for performance #2 of the night. Her Christmas Strings group played in the lobby as people arrived for a community Miracle on 34th Street play. A week later, her group got to play again before the play, but this time Mark, Aubree, and Bryce stayed afterwards to watch the play. They said it was great, and when we watched the "Miracle on 34th Street" movie a few days later, they assured me the play was better.
On Sunday, Nellie got to wear the first of her Christmas dresses.
She hated it and threw a huge tantrum because she wanted to wear pants.
With the recent ward changes, I took the opportunity to attend both ward's Christmas parties. Mark's introverted self wasn't overly enthused about that idea ("One ward party is more than enough!"), but Bryce provided an excellent excuse to miss when he started feeling sick. Thane decided to stay home and help take care of Bryce (he is so tenderhearted!), so Aubree, Graham, Nellie and I went to visit with old friends.
While I chatted, Aubree took Graham and Nellie up front for the children's program. Soon, however, Aubree came hurrying back with a screaming, hysterical Nellie. Santa had shown up and terrified her! "I don't like Santa!" she wailed. Some hot chocolate and marshmallows consoled her.
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