Christmas Programs

Over the past two weeks, the kids both had Christmas programs. This year Adam's 1st grade class did THE Christmas program... just like a Charlie Brown special - complete with Mary, Joseph and our very own Star... Adam didnt feel like smiling for the camera. He took his part very seriously. He did such a nice job. He said: "I was a sign, in the sky, that something wonderful had happened. I guided the people to see the new king!".

And, believe it or not, Alex had a Christmas program at his daycare too! St. Bernard's childcare (Ages 1-5) put on a little show last Friday. They were up on stage in the school gym. I had to work that afternoon, and I wasn't really sure how Alex would do, so I decided that I'd just stick to my work schedule and rely on Tim's videotaping to watch the performance. It was very cute. The toddler room played the drums during a recording of the Little Drummer Boy. In the video, I noticed that most of the other kids are shy and timid and barely tapping their drums. Not Alex - he grabbed two sticks and pounded as hard as he could until the drum moved around too much to continue. I will see if we can post a video on here for you!

Lily and John W.

The photo below may not look very interesting at first glance, but in actuality, this was one of the most interesting moments I've ever experienced. Adam is listening to his Great Great Grandparents sing a duet. How cool is that?

Recently I decided to start going through piles of papers and boxes of keepsakes to try to get things a bit more organized around here. While doing this, I uncovered something that Mom gave me a few years ago that I had put away for safe keeping. In 1941, my Great Grandparents recorded themselves singing two duets, and a poetry reading by my Great Grandfather. Mom took care to get it made into a CD for the grandkids and we all have a copy.

As I listened to Lily and John singing "Lightly Row", my mind was racing. The idea that I can actually hear the voices of two people who lived three generations ago is unbelievable to me. As I listened, I imagined what their lives must have been like as they moved their family to the US from England in the early 1900's. Life was simpler then. They didnt check their emails on their iPhone or update their facebook status with their thoughts. They didnt have any reality TV shows, fast-food restaurants or 24 hour fitness centers. They didnt shop online or text their friends.

They sang duets. They harmonized. They smiled.

Somehow, they managed to record themselves singing - which, I can only imagine that in 1941 was no small task. This got me thinking again.... maybe Lily and John would have loved that iPhone - they probably would have videotaped themselves instead. (and posted it to facebook, of course!)

Lily and John W. Carter with their sons, David and Oliver. My best guess is that its taken in 1915 - give or take a year.

Getting ready for Christmas

Seems like just a few days ago we finished our Thanksgiving feast, and now Christmas is in full swing. I even went shopping at midnight on Thanksgiving day and got all the kids presents bought before the weekend was out. Feels so good to have that done!

We put the tree up Thursday night and were very selective about the decorations we took out this year... Last year we just had a small tree on a table (thanks to the self-control issues displayed by our 11 month old little Alex at the time!). This year I decided to try the big tree, but not the usual keepsake ornaments with breakable glass or homemade irreplaceable angels and santas... I went to Target and bought some cardboard snowflake ornaments that, when thrown across the room, will remain intact and indestructible. So far Alex has only thrown a couple of them and I think he's lost interest.

You will also notice that we have our Elf sitting in the tree. This Elf, which Adam has affectionately named Jerry, came the day after Thanksgiving and he reports back to Santa every night as to whether or not we've been naughty or nice. When he comes back the next day he's in a different spot in the house. So, you can imagine the excitement in our house at 6:30am when we all jump out of bed to find Jerry. Even Alex is in on the fun.

The beauty of the tree is somewhat diminished by the plastic on the windows.... just got that done the other day, too. I love my old house, I love my old house, I love my old house. The plastic sure helps keep the drafty north winds out though.

Couldn't help but throw this photo in here - Alex, Rachel and Adam (his buddies) messing around last week over some snacks. I love Rachel's smile. She came home from China only a few months ago and is fitting in just fine!

Santa came to the Holt potluck dinner last night. Alexander didn't cry this year! Funny, because he may have sensed something that made him feel more comfortable.... if you look carefully, you might recognize this guy in red and white. :o). Adam was excited, however, because it was the REAL Santa who came. He went to visit him but no photos of Adam ... sorry.

Finally, this afternoon we did what Adam will say is the most important Christmas task of all. The letter to Santa. Signed, sealed and about to be delivered. He only included three things this year - an aircraft carrier (hopefully not a life-size one), star wars toys, and a bionicle. I hope Santa gets the letter!

The Bird.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had dinner, drank wine, blah blah blah... but let's get to the real Nebraska Thanksgiving tradition...

TOM OSBORNE

HERBIE HUSKER

NDAMUKONG SUH

Tim and Jerry went to the game and Tim took his camera. He got lots of great shots of the team and the stadium inside and out, but these were the classics! Yay for the Huskers.

Now, onto Turkey Day itself. We had a fun day! We tried something new and ate later in the day so we had all afternoon to cook, drink wine, eat munchies and watch football. Alex got to nap, too. This worked out very well. The Grandma's may not think so, however... they were challenged to an UNO game that no reasonable person could ever win. Adam was cheating (he would, of course, deny this) and Alex was pulling all the cards off the table as they were playing. All we could hear from the other room was lots of hooting and hollering and laughing. I thought maybe it was the wine, but no... it was just UNO.

Tim and I did most of the cooking but we relied on Grandmas to bring the best part of the meal - the pies. We had a yummy day and so much to be thankful for!

We got our leaves cleaned up just in the knick of time... The boys LOVED jumping in the giant pile and we had a nice day to do it. Just a few short days later we are faced with single digit windchills and snow flurries. Winter is here.