More Christmas Cheer!

Natalie learned to make these amazing snowflakes in ASB!

They require 6 pieces of paper =)

Since we don't have any snowflakes outside right now,

she's going to make more for us to hang inside =)

(the 1 piece of paper kind =)

My parents came over for FHE on Monday.

I gave the lesson on Christ and service, and

presented a 'Secret Santa Service' idea!

We drew names and each day for a week we will do service

for a member of our family.

Thanks Marcie for the wonderful idea!

Beds are being made, dishes done,

rooms cleaned, laundry folded... all by 'secret' someones =)

Aaron's words were classic when he couldn't figure out at the

end of the 1st day what service had been secretly done for him yet.

After a certain sibling showed him his made bed, he

announced to us,

"I never even knew my Secret Santa did it; he's

a secret, secret Santa!"

My mom brought the FHE activity;

making a gingerbread train and house.

Aaron worked hard on decorating,

and was very devastated when, after his grandparents left,

his brothers destroyed their creations to eat the candy =(

The finished 'train' product.

Evan just wanted to eat the train!

The boys were silly by the end of the evening =)

The finished 'house' product.

Natalie, the romantic at heart,

wanted a picture of Grandma & Grandpa kissing under the mistletoe =)

(My mom is too short to get the mistletoe in the picture too; it's really there!)

My dad goofing around =)

(Hat compliments of Sheldon's Secret Santa one year at work,

and 'Harry Potter' glasses compliments of Aaron =)

Sounds of Christmas!

Natalie's middle school's 8th grade orchestra, band and choir

performed at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore Saturday afternoon!

The orchestra gave a fantastic 1/2 hour performance!

They performed for Winterfest in downtown Seattle at the Center this week =)

Photos compliments of a classmate's mom =)

(Vests were made by another classmate's mom =)

and then also at their school winter assembly on Friday!

(Which my mom was able to attend.)

Annaliese performed with the 6th grade band/orchestra

playing her flute at their informal

school winter concert in the cafeteria

that same morning, which Nathan and I were able to attend!

The cub scouts and their families went caroling to 4 ladies'

homes in our ward for part of pack meeting this month!

They also gifted them the beautiful wreaths

they had made at den meeting!

It was a fun evening!

Natalie and Sheldon attended the YM/YW Christmas activity

that same evening at the church.

They had a dinner and gift exchange.

Natalie invited a few friends from school, and one was

able to come. They had a great time!