Snow Days

The night of the church Christmas party, we had a big snow storm. I joked at the party that maybe they'd cancel church the next day and then I realized that I was standing next to the stake patriarch. He didn't say anything, but the guy next to him said, "We're not supposed to wish for stuff like that, are we?" Oops. Well, my "wish" came true. The next morning church was cancelled which is only the second time that's happened in the 8+ years we've lived here. We had a great day as a family being completely lazy (except when Scott took Grace down the street to shovel a driveway for an elderly couple - good Sunday service project Scott!). It continued snowing all that day and the next morning school was cancelled too. Grace and Annica spent the day playing games and singing Christmas songs (accompanied by Annica on the keyboard). Sometimes I actually like winter!

A Night in Bethlehem

Our church Christmas party this year was pretty fun. It was amazing how much work the activities committee went to. They set up the whole gym to look like a Bethlehem market place, complete with all the wares. We were given "shekels" as we arrived which we could spend on any of the different market stalls around the gym. They had middle eastern foods, baskets, jewelry (made and donated by the Activity Day girls), oil lamps, and costume rentals in case you came looking "foreign." We came somewhat dressed up - Scott's costume was the funniest. At the last minute while we were putting on our shoes to go out the door to the party he decided he would actually dress up after all. So he goes into the shop and grabs an old dirty blanket, cuts a hole out of the middle and calls it a costume. He actually didn't do half bad. He looked a bit shepherd-like.

Christmas Caroling

Annica is in an after school choir group called Eton Street Singers. She loves it and despite her shyness, actually sings out with no problem. These pictures are from a night of caroling in downtown Birmingham with the group. Scott went with her as I was not about to brave the below freezing tempuratures. Annica was a trooper though, and loved every cold minute of it.

Glamourous Grace

Grace is quite the little socialite. Lately she has invitations almost every weekend to a play date or party. This latest party was for a school friend of hers and it was pretty amazing. All the party goers were picked up in a limo and taken to the "Tea Party Castle" where they ate on real china and then had a Hannah Montana karaoke session. They did Grace's hair in this fancy up do and let her choose her own dress up clothes for the occasion. She came home five hours later (being dropped off at our house in the limo) and seemed to be in a overwhelmed state, maybe a post-party shock. She claimed it was the "best party she's been to ever!" Now what will the birthday girls' parents do for her sweet sixteenth?