Christmas Week

This is what happened at our house:

We decorated Christmas sugar cookies (note the ragamuffin hair).

Note the palm tree hair, or Pebbles do, or whatever you like to call it.

We went to a Christmas Eve party with good friends (don't look too closely at how chubby I am...oops, too late).

Savanna was the only girl, therefore the only possible Mary (but isn't she the most precious Mary you've ever seen?).

Our friend Jeremy was a good sport, and played the part of the donkey.

Joseph and Mary (altogether now, "Awwww!").

The angel Gabriel had the only speaking parts, and he was fabulous! (Note the haircut.)

After the party, we got in bed a little late. Note the crossed legs (and yes, he is asleep even if his eyes are not all the way closed).

One of the favorite gifts on Christmas was the package of cookie cutters. We made many shaped pancakes for breakfast, and several shaped sandwiches for lunch.

We also played this favorite game on Christmas morning (thanks Jeremy and Lara!).

We wore our jammies all day. Savanna got new jammies and new slippers (thanks Emma!), so she changed out of her old jammies into the new ones.

And we played a new game (Wall-E). Note Savanna's expression.

Merry Christmas!

Story of My Life

This week, Savanna began throwing 25 of these a day.

Sometimes we can avoid them by doing "guckers." But only if I hand her every one exactly the right way.

It's cold!

On Sunday, church was canceled because of ice. So we did our best to keep busy with other things.

Look at those eyes!!!

Getting ready to go out in the uncharacteristic frigid air.

We built a snowman (or rather, a snow pile--the snow wouldn't stick together), complete with buttons for eyes, carrot for nose, mommy's scarf, and more buttons.

Caleb printed and colored Wall-E glasses.

We acted out the nativity. Savanna didn't want to be Mary. She wanted to be baby Jesus.

Cantique de Noel

I am very passionate about very few things. One thing I am passionate about is direct translation of songs. Many songs are translated back and forth between languages, and more often than not (much to my dismay) they use "poetic translations." These rhyme but only vaguely represent the original language. One song that has been on my mind lately, for obvious reasons, is "Cantique de Noel" (translation: Hymn of Christmas, or as you may know it, "O Holy Night").

So here is the translation, in more of its original glory (and with which I am ardently in love):

Midnight, Christians is the solemn hour

When God as Man descended unto us

To erase the original stain (sin)

And end the wrath of his Father.

The entire world trembles with expectation

In this night that gives to us a Savior.

Fall on your knees, await your deliverance.

Noel, Noel, here is the Redeemer,

Noel, Noel, here is the Redeemer!

The ardent light of our Faith,

Guides us all to the cradle of the infant,

As in ancient times a brilliant star

Conducted the Magi there from the orient.

The King of kings was born in a humble manger;

O mighty ones of today, proud of your grandeur,

It is to your pride that God preaches.

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

The redeemer has broken every shackle

The earth is free, and heaven is open.

He sees a brother where there was once only a slave

Those who had been chained together by iron, love now unites.

Who will tell Him of our gratitude

It is for every one of us that he was born, suffered and died.

Stand on your feet, sing of your deliverance.

Noel, Noel, sing of the Redeemer,

Noel, Noel, sing of the Redeemer!

*It also turns out that this song was likely the very first music to be broadcast on radio. To read more about it, check out the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Holy_Night

Dressing Up, Dressing Down, and Such...

I, for one, would prefer to defer putting up the Christmas tree until December. Alas, I was out-voted, and we put it up before Thanksgiving. Bryan says we pay 10% tithing, might as well celebrate Christmas 10% of the year.

Every Family Home Evening, we start with the same song. And every week, Savanna runs over to the music shelf, pulls out music (any music will do) and leads the song.

Making Thanksgiving decorations

Dressing down

Dressing up as an indian for Thanksgiving

?
Notice the Christmas cap, velvet purse (which is holding up the butterfly wings), and the rainbow toe socks. Oh, yes, and she put the other hat on me.

This is what happens when mommy ignores you for too long...

Caleb dressed himself as Wallace today.
Can you see the resemblance?