Warroad Branch Christmas Party

I almost didn't post about our Branch Christmas party. I had high hopes to catch amazing pictures of the nativity put on by the primary children and young men/young women, but alas, my picture taker was a little too shy. But just know that it was a wonderful event. As I sat at the organ and watched the children re-enact the birth of our Savior more than 2000 years ago, my heart was touched, and it really made me feel the true meaning of Christmas.

Here's one of the angels.

And a few shepherds...

Every year our family acts out our own nativity on Christmas Eve. It has always been a special part of Christmas for us. I was grateful that this year we could broaden it to our little branch and that we could all feel those special feelings of love that began in a humble stable so long ago.

Following the nativity we had a wonderful potluck, and then a surprise visit from Santa! Even Steven got a chance to sit on his knee.

 



Polar Express Party

We have made it a tradition at our house to have a Polar Express party every Christmas season. This year didn't disappoint. We love to get our pj's on and snuggle on the couch with our hot chocolate (and cinnamon rolls this year) and watch The Polar Express.

I couldn't help but notice that this year we were quoting the movie and finding quirks, making evident the number of years we have actually watched it. But the family togetherness and the memories we make still make it worth doing - someday we'll probably have it memorized word for word.

We have two other movies that are a must for our family during the Christmas season - Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life. I love the fact that my older kids are the ones scheduling them in and insisting that they happen. One even was overheard saying that one of them was their favorite movie. And I have to agree.

Halloween

We had a fun time carving pumpkins again this year. In spite of the fact that it looks like only these three were involved, these are, in fact, the youngest three kids' pumpkins. They, excepting Ethan, had been involved with the designing, but apparently once the hard work happened, they scattered until the final product was done. We'll have to plan a little better next year.

Somehow these are the only two pictures I ended up with of the pumpkins. Olivia's is the silly face, Eli's is the bats, and Ethan/Leah's was an awesome design that I can't remember right now. It was amazing though. (Serves me right for not posting about this for so long!)

Trick-or-treating happened again this year too! We had three kids dress up this year - I guess Leah and Alex are officially too cool to do it anymore. Ethan was a cowboy, or maybe an outlaw. Thanks Dad for the face job.

Eli chose to be a very muscular Spiderman, and a cute one at that!

And Olivia was the cutest witch you ever did see. Thanks Leah for helping her with her costume.

Here's to another successful Halloween.