A Christmas Carol

With Ebeneezer Scrooge

Outside the Rialto in front of its signature statue 

 Hot Chocolate!

 Caroling caroling through the snow...

We went to the Loveland theatre to see A Christmas Carol on Saturday. Me, my mom and the girls. Then out for hot chocolate. The show was great and we even walked around Loveland doing a little caroling for passers-by. (We got applause from someone in their car at a stoplight.)

Christmas 2012

A few shots from Christmas Eve and Day before we head South. Merry Christmas and Happy 2013!

CHRISTMAS EVE
We had a lovely 4pm mass with a visiting priest who invited the young ones up at the end for a blessing. Then onto Mom's for a delicious roast beast dinner and the reading of some traditional stories. When we left at 8:30pm it was snowing a beautiful blanket of white and the kids were fast asleep by 10pm.

Looking for Rudolph 

CHRISTMAS MORNING

We were all downstairs by 6:55 and they tore through everything by 7:35. Then they spent 4 hours going back through everything they received.

New mountain bike

E's Hermoine wand and that's Hannah's Karaoke machine

nail polish from Aunt Beth!

A gift for all four

Dress from Aunt Sara

Scooter from Nonnie and Poppie

And something for Mommy! A stovetop espresso maker. Yum!

doodle pad

new doll and princess jewelry/shoes

One of the most popular gifts came from Grandma and Grandpa: Rollerskates. It turned the house into Rollerland for the better part of the day, and I bet they will be jumping into them this morning after breakfast! ERS was actually outside skating on hers for about 20 minutes in the bitter cold! Paul got a chance to ride on the sidewalk with his new bike too.

Rotary Christmas Breakfast

On Thursday we went to the annual Rotary Breakfast with Aaron. We started with a tasty breakfast buffet and then Santa arrived to give gifts.

Paul in his Rudolph Tie, ERS in her school getup

Each time Santa's helper called a child up to receive his/her gift, he told a corny joke (e.g. What do Elfs learn at school? The ELFabet!") I whispered to Paul that he should tell his joke when his name is called. When Paul went up I let the helper know Paul had a joke, and he had the microphone. That boy delivered the joke perfectly, with no pauses or mistakes. The audience of 60+ rotarians roared in laughter at the punchline, and they kept calling for him to come back. So here's the joke:

"What does Santa use instead of soap and water?"
"Santa-tizer!"

He had made it up on his own at home the other day. This was one proud Mama.

telling the joke

this one has really grown

After dropping the girls at school, I was thankful to have the Santa craft to keep the super tired Kate-a-roo busy while we got the van serviced at the shop in preparation for our drive to AZ. Thanks Santa!

Paul did his model plane with almost no help.

Snow Princess

Got this adorable and super soft coat for Kate. She wore it out to a nativity play Saturday night with her siblings and my parents.

Ice Skating

In mid-November I took the 3 big kids ice skating. They offered garbage cans upside-down for the kids who need help balancing. By the end of the 2 hours though, Paul actually was making it half-way around on his own! Hannah also improved after about 30 min and was then able to make it around by herself. Lots of fun, lots of laughing at each other, lots of backside bruises.

We'll definitely return.

Thanksgiving Weekend

John, Kathleen and Connor were in for Thanksgiving this year. Tuesday I took the littler 2 up to Estes Park with Connor, Kat, and my mom to get a few Christmas gifts and of course, Hot Chocolate.

On Wednesday we had a little "jam session" here with everyone on guitar. They're not half bad!

And a few pictures from a wonderful dinner at Mom's.

Las Posadas

We attended the Las Posadas event this year at church. Las Posadas means "Inn" or "Shelter" and highlights the time when Mary and Joseph search for room at the inn. This year they had Mary and Joseph (Elizabeth was Mary) lead the children in song from one door to the next, knocking and asking if there is room at the inn. After 3 "No's", they are finally let into the last door.  It was all done to singing.

Then there was the pinata whacking. It was one well-built pinata!

Kate wants them to give the password I guess=)

the first door

 they all got one whack. It took about 30 min to get it down, with 50+ kids. I would have had a different strategy, but oh well.