Christmas Day...

...was picture perfect in so many ways! This Christmas was filled with family fun, snow, cookies, and big surprises (like a beautiful nikon D40 digital camera!!!!). 

From Christmas 08'

The bad news is my Mom wasn't feeling well so I had to keep her from working and that's not easy. Poor Mom! The good news is I didn't ruin Christmas dinner. Natalie made breakfast, an amazing breakfast I might add, and Benj and Emma kept us from eating too much... had to get to those presents.

From Christmas 08'

From Christmas 08'

From Christmas 08'

From Christmas 08'

From Christmas 08'

After we opened our presents I started taking pictures galore... imagine that :) Half of our expected guests were snowed in and couldn't come. But we still got to see my brother Rob, his wife Anne and their son Zane and Anne's parents. We ate, had a gift exchange (Benj quickly became the official gift opener), and sipped lattes while we watched the snow fall. 

From Christmas 08'

Natalie... ahh blissful with latte in hand.

From Christmas 08'

Little Zane.... pondering how to get around me (I was acting as a stair barrier) 

From Christmas 08'

Brother Rob.... umm I'm not even going to try to explain this one.

From Christmas 08'

Anne... always ready to give a smile. 

From Christmas 08'

From Christmas 08'

The day ended with lots of snow (this was a first for me!! a real white Christmas.), pictures, and everyone crashed on the couch. The results of a fast, fun, and festive Christmas celebration. 

Snow Days!!!!.... and other random updates

        

Well my study filled fall has ended and I finished up all my exams and recitals  about two weeks ago, just in time to enjoy the snow. My Christmas break actually started a week early since my students couldn't get to my house due to snow and ice. We're not use to that stuff around here. 

Fortunately I already had my student Christmas recital the weekend before. One parent review gave it the "most entertaining Christmas recital I've ever been to" rating.  Just imagine a crowded foyer by the front door of the Alzheimer's Care center, a door which happened to give a little festive tune every time you opened it. Students were arriving late because of the snow that was steadily falling and I was either shuffling through the crowd to tell students of the changes in the program or accompanying them as they played. Most of the residents were sweet with compliments and encores while others were trying to escape as cup scouts trickled in via the front door next to my little performers. Now picture all of these things happening simultaneously and that is pretty much what it was like. It was rather fun and entertaining. 

That was an exciting weekend, with the recital and the Dialtone premier. So fun. The premier was at the regal cinemas in Lacey with an attendance of around 150 people. Besides a couple problems that needed to be worked out with the projector towards the end of the showing all went smoothly. If you haven't already heard, Dialtone has made it into the official selection for the San Antonio Christian film festival. The actual festival takes place in the beginning of January . Oh... and the DVD's are now available too!!! So go to www.dialtonemovie.com  and order one for yourself. 

After all of those exciting activities we got snow and more snow. So my day's consisted of shopping, drinking hot cocoa, and of course playing in the snow with Benjamin and Emma. I'm not sure if I can actually classify what Emma does in the snow as "play" since she becomes more like a rag doll in a snow suite than anything else.

 She didn't moved a muscle the whole time.... I know because I had to move them for her. She's a funny little thing. Benjamin on the other hand was wrestling with the dogs, making snow men and snow angels, and sledding. We had a great sledding hill behind our house but at the time could have used more snow (which came shortly after). It was a bit rocky.

I am also happy to report that I have now seen a real, live musical. We got tickets awhile back to see Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the 5th Ave theater in Seattle. I wasn't sure if we were going to make it with all the snow and ice on the roads but bad roads didn't stop us. It was fabulous. I have never seen anything like it nor so much snow in down town before. It was covering everything and continued to snow ALL DAY! Weirdest thing I've every seen. But very festive. After the play we went to dinner at Ivars before a slow drive home. I don't think we went over 40 mph the whole time. But it was a very fun and monumental occasion. 

It's now time to wrapping presents and bake cookies. I better get busy. Even looks like we might have a white Christmas!! That would be a first for me. 

Merry Christmas!