Brandon's Holiday Chorus Concert

Brandon did a great job in the Middle School Holiday Concert. He sang with the eighth grade group and they performed beautifully. This is his fourth year participating in chorus and I hope to see him continue at the High School next year. 

Brandon and his good friend Kia.

Pictures with Santa

A yearly tradition in our home is the kids picture with Santa. I think I look more forward to it then the kids, but they are very patient with me. I figured Riley would cry (Brandon and Dylan both did at this age), so I was able to capture a shot before we left the house.

 She surprised all of us. She walked right up to Santa and Brandon put her on his lap. He kept talking to her and she just sat there in awe, comfy as can be. She was completely adorable. She did have her two big brothers there and I am sure that made her feel quite at home.

 Her new found freedom of walking.

Santa must have really needed to check us this year. He delivered gifts as he rode down the street on the fire truck. Unfortunately, Riley was out with daddy at the time.

 Terra was very excited to get some attention from Santa too.

On a third personal visit to our home, the day before Christmas Eve, Santa was truely checking his list three times.

 I think he was really making sure Randy and I were behaving ourselves. I was pleased there wasn't coal in my stocking on Christmas morning.

Thanksgiving

 While I should be posting Christmas, I feel I need to catch up with Thanksgiving first. I can't believe how quickly time went by between those two holidays. We were so blessed to have my family here combined with friends for a Thanksgiving feast on Thursday. Our house isn't really a great set up for entertaining (no dinning room). The thing is we love to have people over!!! So Randy and I decided to convert our porch to a dining room. Thanks to our good friend Rick in helping with the task, they closed the porch in and we put a space heater out for warmth. It actually ended up being really nice. Then we continued to celebrate with Randy's family up at his parents house on Friday. It was so fun spending so much time with family, cousins, etc.

 

 Randy's family:

 Our new little nephew Will.

 

I am cute and I know it!

Riley rummaged through one of our stuffed animal bins and became instantly bonded with this bear. As you can see he has had a tough life - Baxter chewed off an eye and nose when he was a puppy. Instantly, she was kissing this bear, hugging the bear, and carrying the bear everywhere. I guess she new he needed some extra tender loving care. She was the cutest thing to watch, we all got some great  laughs. This went on for about a week, and has since moved on. We await what animal or doll will be next.....

 She is already into accessorizing. Our friend Grace who I babysit, came over wearing this hat and scarf. As soon as she put them down, Riley had them and actually put the hat on and the scarf around her. she was walking all over the living room for about an hour like this, loving every moment. If the scarf came off she would put it right back on. She would take the hat off and them put it right back on. What am I in for...

 This adorable dress came as a gift from Auntie Katie. She, along with my other sisters, and sister-in-laws have these great sewing talents. (somehow I got skipped). It is so cute, I love the fabric and the pattern. Thanks Katie, she is sporting style.

To celebrate good grades we took the family to the best buffet in Lancaster. Brandon especially has been requesting we go here and was very happy to have his wish finally granted. You have to get there before 8am however, if you don't want to stand in line. It opens at 5am. We woke at 6:30am (all of us tired). It was worth the wait and 40 some minute drive to get there.

 Afterward Mom convinced everyone to stop at the Reading Museum and tour. Randy and I enjoyed seeing a shrunken head, and a mummy. I especially like the forensic recreation of the mummy Nefrina's head (just like they do on the "Bones" tv show). It was very cool. We also were able to walk through the Tiffany Lamp Traveling Exhibit. They had a neat little photo exhibit that Brandon enjoyed since he was working on photography in school in his creative expressions class. We found it funny how all the photos of motion were done with people naked, exposing there backsides. Doesn't everyone run, lift weights, etc. that way???

That night Brandon and I continued the celebration at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert in Philadelphia. What a fantastic family oriented show. Lots of lights, lasers, singers and band members coming out into the audience, and the Christmas Christian based message in the first half was a nice touch too.  Would highly recommend and would definately take the whole family next time.