Countdown to Christmas

The month of December is a whirlwind of festivities. All good things, all good things. But naturally, it does make things a little hectic. 

Tyler and Dallin had their band concert, and we were impressed. They have a new band teacher (this is her second year at our school), and she seems to be really good. For instance, they have to practice 3 hours every 2 weeks, and their practice log is part of their grade. It makes a difference!

Spencer's concert was a week later. They also had the jazz band and drum line play. It was all very entertaining. Since then, Spencer has joined the jazz band, playing the electric piano. He loves it!

He has enjoyed learning the bassoon this year! It's a tricky instrument.

Our church Christmas party was a huge success. We had a ham dinner, followed by a variety show. There was a great turnout, and lots of people participated.

My friend Julie (the one in the middle in the elf costume) was emcee. She is so funny and loud and comfortable on stage. She led us in a few Christmas songs as we waited for Santa to show up.

Levi did not know what to ask Santa to bring him. Finally, a few days before Christmas, he made up a toy that he thought would be really cool: a tube that you look through and it shows everything in the viewfinder getting blown up. Alas, that doesn't exist. He told me Santa can make anything! But it was too late, and Santa had already gotten him a parachute.

Love that look of deep concentration! 

Dallin sat on Santa's lap so he could get a selfie with him, but I don't have a copy of it.

Chloe was not too sure about Santa. At first she ran away from him. Then she wanted me to get her a candy cane from him, but I told her he only gave them to kids. After she watched almost everyone else go up there, she mustered the courage to do it. When he asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she said, "a candy cane."

Spencer and Tyler were going to play a duet for the variety show, but they didn't quite have it ready, and then they left their music home. That was fine - the show was plenty long.

Next was the Christmas parade. We usually avoid this town event, since it's always so cold and crowded; but Spencer played in the marching band, and we all wanted to see him. 

We really should have dressed warmer and packed more blankets - it was freezing!

One of the last things I do to get ready for Christmas is baking. It's also one of my favorite things about Christmas. I always have lots of helpers when I make fudge.

The kids always put the marshmallow cream and all the chocolate into the bowl while I boil the liquids. This year it boiled over and made a bit of a mess and had to be quickly transferred to a larger pot. It was all very exciting. You'd think I'd remember these things from one year to the next and use a bigger pot to begin with.

Spencer and Tyler also prepared a violin/bassoon duet, which they performed during sacrament meeting the Sunday before Christmas. I thought it turned out quite lovely.

I took a few pictures of the kids after church. 

Chloe loved her Christmas dress! I actually bought it 2 years ago (after-Christmas sale) for last year, but I had it packed away and couldn't find it. Luckily it still sorta fits this year. Our pew and clothes were always dusted with glitter when she wore it.

Chloe did a lot of Christmas shopping with me this year, and she was very good about keeping secrets. We even had a bunch of presents under the tree for a week or two, and she never tried to unwrap them. She's getting big! By the way, the whole presents thing is a point of discussion around here. Dave and Tyler think all of the presents should appear under the tree Christmas morning, NOT before. The rest of us like to see presents beforehand because it looks so pretty and gets us excited about them. Plus it provides a place to keep them, since storage space is limited. Just one of those traditions that you don't even realize you have until you get married and realize your spouse does it the wrong way! I think this deserves a survey - please answer to the right. 

Chloe also loved helping me make truffles for our teacher gifts. We made a double batch each of orange, almond and strawberry. The orange was a new recipe, and they may have been my favorite! I used orange juice and orange zest in the cream, and then I strained the zest out out before adding the cream to the chocolate. Chocolate and orange just go so well together. 

My boys told me this is their favorite Christmas treat! I agree. 

Finally, we went caroling and dropped off plates of goodies to about 10 families. Spencer, Tyler and Dallin played their instruments, and the rest of us helped by holding music and flashlights. That was fun!