Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve, we spent a lot of time as a family. During the afternoon, we watched "It's a Wonderful Life." The girls had never seen it before. Everyone enjoyed it, especially Katherine who really loved the humor! That evening, we watched a 30 minute video called "The King is Born" and then read the scripture account. Then the girls started fooling around and sitting on Keith's lap - pretending he was Santa. Of course, Rebekah became theatrical and made a huge "list" so she could have many photos! lol Finally, we put out cookies and got some cute photos of the girls. Enjoy!

Matthew Left for Salt Lake

Matthew left for Salt Lake on Sunday the 14th. He was picked up from the airport by Mike Powell - the missionary that baptized me in 1990. Mike showed him around Salt Lake and then took him to the Harris' where he will stay until he enters the MTC on Wednesday. Colette is taking him shopping today and to Temple Square tomorrow. I've received word that he is having a good time, has taken many pictures, and is enjoying the snow! We'll talk with him later tonight. I'm very proud of Matthew and his decision to be a missionary and serve the Lord! (The pics are totally backwards, so start at the end and work your way back to the beginning!)

Decorating the Tree

We had a lot of fun decorating our tree this year. Matthew helped and that won't happen again for 2 years! Betty Ann, Keith's sister, also came by and helped. We played Christmas music in the background and remembered where the ornaments came from and who gave them. Then we opened presents with Matthew and got some good pics of the kids together. It was a fun afternoon!

And Now We Wait

Rebekah had her call back for Uncle Rhubarb and the Pickle Patch today - the Nickelodeon pilot. We saw the sets and they were incredible. The puppets are going to be designed by the same team that helped with the Muppets and the animation by the guy that did Scooby Doo! It would be wonderful if Rebekah makes it, but no matter what, we are so very proud of her!

They told all the kids that they will have different kids appear on each show and that those there today would be first on the list. So, it appears, that Rebekah will get on TV at some point! You can say you "knew her when!"

My "Georgia" Tree

I have a very dear friend named Georgia who gave me one of her beautiful trees 3 years ago. I love that tree almost as much as I love her, but not quite! Here we are decorating it. Enjoy!

Another day of decorating

Today it was the outside. We tried a few new things this year. First of all, no lights around the door. We'll just rely on the spotlight. Of course, if I don't like it, I can add lights tomorrow!! We also made 2 tomato cage Christmas trees to flank the porch. I really love the way they turned out. AND I got a new garland for around the door. I found the garland at Salvation Army back in October for $2!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't beat that!!

Christmas Village

Every year we put up my Christmas Village. I began collecting in 1989 and as you can see, I have a lot of houses now! I have lots of churches, 2 banks, 2 bakeries, 2 grocery stores, a library, school, PO, fire station, police station, train station, opera house, theater, restaurant, Inn, hotels, bait and tackle, lighthouse, grist mill, barns, livery, coal shop, fine silver, book store, Christmas tree lot, bridges, toy store, fruit stands, a gazebo, clock tower, loads of houses, and more! I love my village and can imagine living there and hearing the choirs sing, imagine the goings on in the shops, and the haggling over prices at the fruit stands. During Christmas, this village is my hometown!

Christmas Is On the Way!

Every year, the kids create a count-down calendar from last year's Christmas cards. Each picture represents something we are going to do that day. Bake cookies. Cut out snowflakes. String Popcorn. You get the picture. So, today that calendar was created. AND we also went to the Doby's Tree Farm in Vass to tag a tree. Their selection wasn't too big this year because of the drought 2 summers ago, so we wanted to be sure we got the "perfect" tree. The weather was perfect - perfectly cold!!! Keith used the window shopping method to view lots of the trees! Of course, to give him credit, he is catching a cold AND forgot his coat. I swear it dropped 10 degrees between the time we left the house and got to the farm 15 minutes away!