Christmas at Home

Returning Home

During a layover between flights,

we came to a section with multiple gates and an area with cartoons playing for children.

The area was very full with people and bags. Karl and I sat on one side facing our gate.

The children decided to sit on the other side to see the Scooby Doo cartoons.

Sometimes they take stick together a bit too seriously!

Let the Tournament Begin!

A Glimpse of Christmas Gift Exchange

Santa finds us in MN

Snow Fights with Uncle John

Christmas Eve

The first two shots were later in the day.

This shot Anton took before we headed off for family pictures.

Mrs. Prigge's Birthday Celebration

How to Build a Snow Tunnel

Minnesota Snow

So how deep was it?

Snow like this is rare for our Navy babies even though their Daddy grew up in it!

Even Karl's Dad had to get a little sledding action.

Anton thought it best to put the weight in the front of the sled after seeing Isabella's snowy face when she and I made a run down the hill.

Something about deep snow, I chance to let loose and be a kid again!

Christmas Concert

This year's concert at our church was another chance to be pushed beyond the comfort zone. Justin, the amazing tenor, was the director again, except for Karl's favorite song, Lullaby, in which Justin had the focus as no one else could have pulled it off and the choir was his back ground.

Justin elected to keep me as one of his two Alto/Second Sopranos, hence my place closest to the tenors. We were able to secure a violin, viola, cello, and clarinet for this concert. The accompaniment was necessary for The Gloria and Air. It was so beautiful!

Karl still had a job this year even though he was not the narrator. He was stage crew to remove and set up the chairs for our mini orchestra. This was very important to bring in the show stealers.

They were so cute even if their nerves caused them to be a bit on the quiet side.

Then, before you know it, it is over. Three months of rehearsals, slowly lifting your hearts to the joys of the season as each day draws closer to the focus. The building of hope, a lot of love, and the spreading of joy that comes from Jesus' birth.

Last Cub Scout Christmas!

Anton is growing up and that means he will move on from Cub Scouts and join the big boys! So our scouting Christmas Party was a bit bitter sweet but mostly for Isabella. Isabella has enjoyed being able to participate in the boys' fun as Cub Scouts like to be more family orientated. As the boys get older, they do not want their kid sister, or moms for that fact, holding them back. It becomes the time where Karl and Anton do their boys to men bonding and growing. But this will not happen until a few months from now when Anton and Karl cross over!

At the party, Anton received his awards for being the top pop corn seller in the pack and reaching a specific level. Thank you to those who reluctantly gave in to his sweet smile and cheerful presentation!

During the party was a gift exchange. The children, including siblings, sat in a large circle and had to pass gifts to the left or right according to a silly story read by one of the den leaders. When the story ended, the child opened then gift in their hands. Isabella was sitting next to Jacob, from Anton's den and soccer team. It was funny to see him try to convince Isabella she really wanted to switch her gift for this book on gross things he got. She said no and he looked dejected. Later though, we spotting Jacob and his older brother Blase reading through the book with Isabella reading over Jake's shoulder. I did not get her expression when I snapped the picture. She came to see me very upset.

Apparently, she had got her pants caught on a nail and ripped them when she stood up suddenly from being busted sitting with Jake earlier. (Should I be concerned? Maybe it is just a cool book on weird gross things.)

Laughingly, I told her it was a good thing she had long underwear underneath so her under clothes did not show. Her eyes brightened as she bounded off to join the boys outside in a large snow ball fight which was started by Anton getting Jake as he went outside to take something to his Dad's truck. Isabella held her own, even getting Karl and I. She should know better than to try to get us at once though as she ended up covered in giggles and snow!