Jan 2013

So for New Year's Eve we had a Dance Off.  The participants took turns choosing songs from the "Just Dance" game on the Nintendo wii.  A photo from the event:

Please note that Pops reigns undefeated, and was celebrated as champion on this night.  Even crushing Jen in a head-to-head match featuring her "favorite song".  

Besides dancing, there were more games, lots of snacks, we watched a movie and we stayed up late.  Late enough to welcome 2013 at midnight.

The next morning brought some snow.  The second snowfall of the winter, this time enough to allow for some sledding.

Provided you're dressed properly.  Emma has grown out of her mittens and her snow boots.  She had to wear my gloves, and on the way home from sledding we stopped for new boots.  So, as far as snow goes, bring it on!

The earlier snowfall was not enough for to break out the sleds, but Emma's first snow angel turned out great.

And, as it turns out, Emma has quite an appetite for snow as well.

We had a great Christmas.  Santa came to our house, and was very generous.  There were full stockings for everyone...well, except for Kevin.  We're not sure what he did to get onto Santa's naughty list, but Kevin's stocking was completely empty.  So that he didn't feel too bad we sneaked some treats into it while he was distracted.  My guess is that he's on the naughty list because he'll sneak naps on the couch, that he's not supposed to be on.  But for that to be reason, Santa must be pretty cut-throat on this naughty/nice thing.  Anyway, some Christmas photos:

With Santa at Botanica...Festival of Lights, I think they call it.  A couple more from that:

Desmond was a shepherd in his program at church.

Emma was also in the program, but her class did not have costumes.  She did however straighten her hair for the event.  She was very excited to see how long it is when it's straightened.  When you've never had a hair cut in your whole life, your hair starts to get pretty long.

After the program we went home and made quick work of all of the presents under the tree.  The kids got some very nice things.

Much has happened during my hiatus from this blog.  I was planning to make a point to find time to pass on some slightly older photos, and news.  That'll hopefully come later.  Until then, I'll leave you with this photo of, well...

...and a link to a short movie the kids and I made one day during our holiday break: HERE.  (Apologies, but for some reason the narrator was speaking very loudly.  Adjust your sets accordingly.)