A Snowy Day

Today was a perfect snow for getting our sled out and enjoying the hill in our back yard. I stood on the deck and took these photos of Gracie and some of the neighbors sledding down our hill. When we bought our house we knew it would be a great hill in the winter, and we were right! Gracie loves sledding down it a few times, but then she's content to just watch everyone else slip and slide down the hill.

Gracie is standing on the left in the green coat. She was tired of sledding by this point.

Trying to get a Christmas Card Photo

I tried! I really, really tried to get the perfect shot for a Christmas card this year. Obviously, none of you have received a card because I was never happy with any of our pictures. They may have been cute, or even funny, but they weren't the "perfect" portrayal of our beautiful girls! I should have saved every single photo and put them on this post, but I deleted the crazy ones. If I would have posted them all you would understand how many photo sessions we had in an effort to get that great shot. Oh, well! Instead we have a string of cute photos of our beautiful girls with their tongue out, or the wrong lighting, or one child looking at the camera and one trying to escape! Enjoy!

Christmas Party at Gracie's School

Gracie still goes to Tri-County Christian School every Wednesday and Thursday. Today they had their class Christmas party. I got to go and help during the party, although I'm not sure how much help I was since Ella came along.

Our big girl sitting in her chair at school. They made really cute Christmas necklaces to wear during the party.

I love this picture of Gracie with Caylie and Emma. There are only 4 girls in Gracie's class, so they have to stick together.

In this picture, Gracie was opening her present from the teacher. Coloring books, chap stick and a baby doll were a hit! The kids all brought a gift to exchange with someone in the class. Gracie's was given a Disney princess locket and ring. Boy, did someone know just what she likes!

The Little Drummer Girl

Gracie has learned a lot of Christmas carols this year. I love to hear her singing, because half of the words are wrong, but it's the way she thinks the song goes. Probably her favorite carol is "The Little Drummer Boy." She has to get her drum out every time she sings it. If we are in the van and she hears it on the radio, I have to pass her the Kleenex box to serve as her drum.

A Future Musician???

Ella got to experience playing Grandpa's organ for the first time. It used to be Gracie's favorite thing to do at Grandpa's house, so maybe Ella will be the same way.

This picture shows Ella clapping for herself. Clapping is one of her favorite "tricks."

Gracie's Church Christmas Program

If you were to look back at last years posts, I probably posted something about Gracie's church Christmas program. I'm sure I said that she didn't sing, didn't smile...she just stood there and looked pretty. Well, this year was quite a contrast to last year. The picture above is actually Gracie standing on the stage all by herself. We had a dinner theatre style Christmas program, so while Gracie was twirling and swirling on the stage, everyone was seated around the room eating dinner. There weren't that many people watching her, but it was just so funny to watch her get so brave when last year she was too shy to even open her mouth.

Brent was awfully proud of his little girl for being such a good performer. She was quite pleased with herself, actually.

This picture shows the Little Lambs singing "Away in a Manger." It was pretty cute to watch them do the actions while they sang.

The Little Lambs even played some instruments during "Jingle Bells."

I don't know what kind of smile Gracie has on her face, but I decided I'm not in very many pictures these days, so I was going to post it anyway!

The tag on Gracie's new dress said Cinderella, and I think she actually felt like Cinderella in such a poofy dress.

This picture shows another solo performance by Gracie while everyone was eating. It was a very fun evening. Grandma Kaser got to watch 3 of her grandkids perform since we go to church with my cousin Joey and his family. We were glad that Grandpa and Nana could come also. Hopefully by the next program Mama's foot will be feeling better and she can travel.

Gracie's Christmas Tree

Gracie has a very small tree that she decorates every year for her room. Each year it seems to get heavier with decorations that she wants to use, but they are obviously too big for her small tree. Nonetheless, she decorated it the way she wanted.

Isn't it obvious how proud Gracie was of her work? It's really pretty cute this year.

Brent was home tonight, so he got in on some of the decorating. OK, he really just wore the hat! :-)