Thrice Blessed: January 2013

Some more pre-Christmas pics

The kids loved the nativity in front of Andrew's school. Andrew and Gianna wanted a picture of them in front of it.

Mike and I received the most beautiful ornaments (and the packaging - I love it!!!) from the kids.

Our tree gets better each year!

Handprint ornaments - I love that the snowman family has five members!

These two were made by Andrew. LOVE LOVE LOVE...

Isabella taught us all about St. Lucia Day in Sweden. She was really smitten with the whole idea of it.

We watched a live nativity on Christmas Eve Eve. Can I just tell you that is was 13 degrees out during this?!? It was very nice though. I wanted to bring every animal home and let them warm in front of my fireplace. I'm not joking...

I & G's Christmas Show

In the morning before school... (I'm not sure what's up with Isabella's expressions!)

If you look REALLY closely, you can see the girls - Isabella back row center, Gianna front row center, looking down...

Andrew's Christmas Service

No pictures were allowed during the service, but we were able to take pictures on the stage afterwards. We were also able to buy a video of his it -his very first public performance! I don't think he enjoyed it as much as we did!

Oh, and he wouldn't let us tuck his shirt in. I think he knows it's the style now!

Advent Calendar Activities

Here are a few of our advent calendar activities and treats from December. I was really awful about it this year, but here are some of the better days...

Isabella's roof design...

Gianna's roof design...

Andrew was just busy sneaking frosting and candies!

No matter how un-Christmasy I was feeling, we couldn't forget the beautiful animals at the local shelter.

Another advent calendar surprise was to eat a North Pole Sundae. This was my idea inspired by, and while at Lagomarcino's. They had a sundae with a cute name and I thought of these chocolate dipped peppermint poles on top of peppermint ice cream, smothered (oh yes, I mean smothered) in Lagomarcino's hot fudge sauce. It was a hit!