Christmas 2010

As is the tradition in my family, I put the tree up and started decorating the day after Thanksgiving. It was extra special this year because my Mom was here. It was the 1st time since I left home that my mom was at MY house to see it decorated for Christmas. Pretty cool.

Aunt Danni gave the boys a very cool present this year. The Elf on the Shelf! For those of you who don't know, the Elf on the Shelf is a little elf that goes back and forth to the North Pole to tell Santa whether you have been naughty or nice. The kids bought the idea hook, line, and sinker. Part of getting the Elf on the Shelf the first time is naming him. After I told Keric all about the elf I asked him what he wanted to name him. With a devlish little smile he said, "Pussy"....I was shocked, amused, trying not to laugh, trying to figure out why he said that...You name it...but mostly laughing on the inside.  After a little redirection he decided "Andy" would be a better name. Thank you Lord. : ) Thus started a new family tradition.

December 10th, Keric participated in his first Christmas show and on stage performance. He and his preschool class sang two songs, "The Stable Song" and "Tapping elf". It was so cute to see him up on that big stage with all his little buddies. The whole family went. Kurt was really proud to see Keric be such an outgoing little guy. He videotaped the whole thing. Kurt was a very proud Papa.

I have to mention also that we went Christmas caroling for the 2nd time this year. Our friend Angie invited a bunch of us over to make cookies and go sing. It was such a good time! Santa even paid us a visit!

     Christmas Eve we had the Alan, Lois, and Uncle Mike over to the house. Kurt smoked a turkey for the first time. I made the dressing, green beans, etc. Everything was really good. Uncle Mike brought the boys two big Hot Wheels sets. Grandma and Grandpa went overboard, of course. The kids got to open up lots of stuff from the folks. Somehow though we lost Grandma's present. Keric had picked her out a locket. I wrapped it up all super cute and, well,  we still don't know what happened to it. Best guess, Ryan threw it away. He had just discoverd the trash can and he loved playing around by the tree so, best we can figure, he was "cleaning up" and threw the present away. We'll make it up to her one of these days. Christmas Eve was lots of fun and will hopefully be  a tradition from now on to have it at our house.



Kurt and Alan preparing to carve the turkey. : )



Ryan giving Uncle Mike one of his presents.