The Elementary School Christmas Program

The kids' school program was at the first of December. It was broken up into two nights...the kindergarten and 2nd grade on December 2nd, the first grade and 3rd grade on December 3rd. I did my best to explain to Dylan that I would not be making it to his program on the 2nd, because I had a class (test) then work immediately afterwards. I found someone to cover me for a short bit on the 3rd so I could make it to Taylor's. So for Dylan, I went to his dress rehearsal earlier that day...

Dylan doin his little dance...

Taking a breather with his aide Deicy...

Jared being very well behaved during the practice...of course I had to get a picture.

Taylor showing her sign language skills...

Following the program with her teacher, Mrs. Olsen.

What a 3 year old takes pictures of...

In case you were curious, here are a few things a 3 year old would take a picture of, if he ever got a hold of your camera...

The celing, of course... his feet...
his toy computer...

the rocking chair...

the room from wherever he is...

the vacuumn (why not??)...

Thanks Jared for those sweet pictures and showing the perspective from a 3 year old ! ! !

Then and Now

I really appreciated everyones positive comments about the kids and the Christmas pictures. To answer the question...Yes, I've started the tradition of taking their picture in front of the Christmas Tree with the santa hat, although I just started it last year...

Dylan Christmas 2008

Dylan Christmas 2009

Taylor Christmas 2008

Taylor Christmas 2009

Jared Christmas 2008

(Also Christmas 2008...but I just had to throw this one in for posterity sake...)

Jared Christmas 2009

Nothing like starting a new tradition. I print them up then put them in an ornament with the year on it. Someday, they'll have pictures of themselves as little kids to put on their trees and I hope the tradition will continue on...

Christmas cookies...

Don't forget to be cheezy when fighting over which cookie cutter you'll get to use next.

Make sure to make a mess...

But above all...ALWAYS
use ALL the green sprinkles on 3 cookies.

The 2009 Christmas Tree

As is tradition at our house, we put up the Christmas Tree on the first Family Home Evening after Thanksgiving. This year was the easiest year yet. We had bought a tree for 50% off in a post-Christmas sale last year. So this was our first year putting it up. Its prelit (YAY!!!) and that was DEVINE ! ! ! ! ! It was the one thing that received the most water damage when our water pipes burst a couple of weeks ago. So as I got it out and it was still so molded and wet, I was afraid that it wouldn't work. But we put it together and plugged it in and it worked like a charm. It does still smell a little moldy, but I have a 'Pine' scented candle that takes care of that.

Jared was so excited about his Christmas Tree. He just kept repeating that over and over, "Look at my Twismas Twee."

He was quite annoyed by the fur on the santa hat.
Every picture I took with Taylor was like this. A beaming smile and little bit of a pose. She is such a doll ! ! ! ! !
All Dylan wants for Christmas is his two front teeth, although I'm pretty sure he'll have most of one of them by that big day. His birthday is Dec. 22 and he is trying to make sure that I know what he wants for Christmas and what he wants for his birthday and that I better not get it mixed up. Thanks Dylan...I'll try to keep it straight ! ! ! !