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?

Little Mother

Since we've been married, most Thanksgivings past have involved tens or hundreds of people, depending on which extended family we spent it with. This year we had the feast at home with Matt and Michelle and our kids. It was quite enjoyable, and comparatively quiet. However, we did need to get out of the house and do something before the kids went crazy. So we decided to go over to the church. If no one was there, we planned on letting the kids run around in the gym. (I have a key for my calling.) While we were there, we went into the nursery to play with the toys:

Savanna had at least three baby dolls (with no one to commandeer them immediately from her). As she lovingly whipped them to and fro by their arms or legs, Michelle tried to show her how to be gentle. Michelle picked up a tiny baby doll, cradled it in her hands, and rocked it while supporting the head. Then she said, "This baby is cold. Go get a blanket for the baby!" Instead, Savanna grabbed the baby by the leg, grabbed another baby by the leg, and walked over to the play kitchen set. She threw open the oven, tossed the babies in, closed the door, and cranked up the heat. Yep, little mommy in the making.

PICTURES!

Curling her eyelashes

Taking her temperature

21 weeks

Cute hair

Ready for church

They really do like each other...

Handsome boy

Waiting for Dad to put up the tree

Caleb took this picture. He said, "Look, Dad! I almost got her face!"

Putting on her pants

Playing trombone

Dancing

With Caleb

With Daddy

Mommy gave in and let her hold this.

And this is why.

Mmmmmmm!!!!!!


Okay now for a blast from the past. We found an old memory card with these pictures. The camera was a gift from some race, and it was not exactly top-of-the-line...
This was Independence Day 2004:

With our good friends Britta and Scott (and that's Caleb in my belly, about 8 months).

Picnic

Great view and great fun

I think this was close to 9 months.

Caleb taking a bath

Caleb, 2 months?