Christmas 2011

 Here is a recap of our holiday celebrations in December.  We were busy and had so much fun!  This starts a couple weeks before Christmas . . .

We went to a Mannheim Steamroller concert in Sacramento with my parents and brother.  I grew up listening to Manheim during the Christmas season and associate their music with many holiday memories.  This was the first time seeing them live and it was amazing to see the number of instruments used in comparison to the number of performers.  I think there were 10 performers on stage but three times as many instruments.  They are talented musicians!

 

This song was one of our favorites.

My brother Brian stayed over at our place one night.  It was so fun to have him over and show him our new area.  We even stopped for ice cream at the It's-It's outlet . . YuM!  

He snapped this picture of the beautiful sunset on our way home.

Christmas Eve Dinner

Tim and I spent Christmas with my family in CA.  We have a big dinner on Christmas Eve night.  It is our fancy meal with prime rib and all the fixings and we even get all dressed up to enjoy it.  I love this tradition!

 

 Charlie was serenading us with this trumpet ornament!

Our lovely spread.

 Tim and I assembled these cute ornaments my mom got that we used for place card holders.

 Every Christmas Eve since I can remember, us kids would perform a puppet show of the nativity while my dad read the story.  This year, we mixed it up and my parents did the show with the grandkids and the rest of us got to watch!  It was so cute!

 Then we sang carols.  Not sure what song we were singing when this was taken. Looks like he was singing something soft like Silent Night while I am belting out Joy To The World?!  Not sure.  Tim and I LOVE to sing Christmas songs together. 

 Charlie helped his mom at the piano. :)  After carols, we each open one gift on Christmas Eve, new pajamas!

Lucy was checking the goodies they put out for Santa!

We absolutely love Christmastime and are so grateful for the peace, love, and joy of the season.  It is wonderful to be with family as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and we are so grateful for His life, love, and example.