Christmas Highlights

Tyler & Aunt Nikki

 

Danielle's first attempt at quilling, courtesy of Grandma & Grandpa R.

 

Playing Suspend with Grandpa C while Danielle designs some outfits in her fashion sketch book.

Ron's homemade gifts for the kids - a doll chair & a Minecraft chest

 

One of Clara's presents. It says "bite me" on the back.

Using her new book to make clay charms

They turned out great!

 

 

Danielle's butterfly

 

One of my Christmas gifts

Teaching the kids to play Clue

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

 

Christmas blessings from our family to yours.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

One of our Christmas Eve traditions is to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas before bed. Tyler offered to read it this year. In case you haven't read it yet tonight, here is Tyler's interpretation...

 

(He didn't realize I was taping him, but Danielle did.)

 

Merry Christmas!!

Candy Cane's Adventures - Self Portrait?

This was yesterday's adventure. Today Candy Cane was hanging out in the garland upstairs. He'll be catching a ride back to the North Pole with Santa later tonight.

Candy Cane's Adventures - Snooping

Oops! Sometimes it's better to just mind your own business!

The kids challenged a couple of the words Barbie & Candy Cane used in their game of Scrabble. They pointed out that proper names should not be used, and they did not consider "brr" to be a legitimate word. Barbie and Candy Cane did not care.

Candy Cane's Adventures - Game Time

Candy Cane's Adventures - Doughnut Day

Fridays are doughnut days around here. Looks like Candy Cane wants to be part of the fun. And everything is better when shared with a friend.

Candy Cane's Adventures - TP Time

I didn't have time to post pictures last night. Candy Cane went toilet papering. It was funny, and Danielle enjoyed it, but I forgot that Clara likes to eat tissues. By the time I got home from work, there were significant sections missing!

Candy Cane's Adventures - Enjoying a Good Book

I wish Candy Cane would vacuum up those fallen pine needles while he's down there.

Candy Cane's Adventures - Decorating

Oops!

Photo Sundries

Candy Cane's Adventures - Christmas Wrapping

Danielle may be a little late for carpool tomorrow. Candy Cane wrapped her shoes, binder, mittens, and snack container.

Candy Cane's Adventures - Looking at Christmas Lights

Candy Cane's marketing manager attempted to watch a movie with her husband last night and instead, fell asleep before posting pictures of his antics. He took Barbie on a ride to admire the Christmas lights. I'm sure it looked nicer last night.

Candy Cane's Adventures - Rescued!

Candy Cane's friends waged a rescue attempt. They were successful and happily rode off together into the sunset...or the foyer.

Candy Cane's Adventures - More Trouble!

Candy Cane must have really upset those nutcrackers!

 

Candy Cane's Adventures - In a Little Trouble

Candy Cane must have done something to upset the nutcrackers.

Tyler's Christmas Concert

Tyler's band concert was last night. It's been at least 6 months since we've heard Tyler perform and the improvement was obvious. There are only 2 trumpets, including Tyler, in the 6th grade band and Tyler says the other trumpet player barely plays. There were a couple times in one of the songs yesterday where the trumpets came in by themselves and Tyler's notes were loud and clear. He did a great job. In fact, his teacher emailed me after their school performance to let me know how impressed she was with his playing. A special thanks to Aunt Nikki for helping Tyler practice.

Here are a couple videos of Tyler quickly running through a couple of the songs before the performance.

I didn't have a good view of him this year, but you can see enough to know he's playing! As you can see, everyone needs to work on good playing posture!!

Candy Cane's Adventures - Making a Snow Angel

Candy Cane's Adventures - Making a Fortune Teller

Danielle and her friend entertained themselves during their brothers' band concert tonight by making fortune tellers. Candy Cane was inspired by their craft and made one of his own.

Candy Cane's Adventures - Away in a Manger

Candy Cane's Adventures - Bath Time

Candy Cane's Adventures - Cheering for Danielle

Danielle's first regular season basketball game is tomorrow. Candy Cane borrowed a sweat band and Barbie's high tops. Go Danielle!