Santa Brought a Zucca

Santa brought a Zucca.  A Zucca?  Yes, a rolling hard-sided carrier for students with sore backs...  which is all the fashion in third grade and beyond.  

Reindeer Food Toss 2012

Reindeer Food Toss 2012, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

Santa’s delivery was all but assured thanks to the annual reindeer food toss, which occurred with much gusto.

Christmas Dinner 2012

Christmas Dinner 2012, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

The reindeer weren’t the only well-fed creatures on Christmas – our chef team was in top form, producing a beef roulade, assorted veggies, and “bread muffins”.

Christmas Eve Presents 2012

Xmas Eve Presents 2012, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

As per our family tradition, gifts not brought by Santa are opened in Christmas Eve. There were many fun surprises – an iTouch for Helen, new coats for Kelly and Ken, Japanese fabric for Marilee, and new clothes for Chris.

Christmas Eve Dinner 2012

Christmas Eve Dinner 2012, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

By popular demand, we continued the delectable dinner tradition of having Clam Chowder on Christmas Eve.

Dad's 69th Birthday at Dry Creek Grill

Dad's 69th Birthday at Dry Creek Grill, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

I’d put up Chris’ Clam Chowder against any meal, although Dry Creek Grill performed well on Dad’s 69th Birthday. We started the celebration with The Rep’s production of “The Christmas Carol” an enchanting version full of caroling and live music from all of the actors (featuring a wide array of instruments from the recorder to the accordion). The morphing of the Nutcracker into other holiday outings is becoming more and more fun.

Family Wreath 2012

The challenge this year with picking our tree was to find a time when it wasn’t a total downpour.  

Family Tree 2012

Family Tree 2012, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

December was particularly wet, and adding to the difficulty, the trees at our usual tree farm were a bit picked over. In spite of these challenges, we probably found our most perfect tree ever.

Tree Trimming 2012

Tree Trimming 2012, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

The decorating team also expanded ranks, and we filled the tree in record time.

The Littlest Tree Trimmers

The Littlest Tree Trimmers, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

Claire added some zest to the festivities. Not having seen my ornament stash before, she was incredulous as hundreds of baubles emerged from endless boxes. The effect of her enthusiasm wore off on Helen, who finally participated fully in the exercise.

Holiday Dance Performance 2012

Holiday Dance Performance 2012, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

After two years of being dressed as a reindeer, Helen’s dance group graduated to different holiday costumes for their three performances, including Christmas in the Park. Ironically it was a reindeer hat directly in front of Helen that kept us from getting any photos of Helen at her holiday concert from school! Oh well, the memories of the lovely singing are firmly imprinted in our memory.

Brownie Troop Court of Awards '12

Brownie Troop Court of Awards '12, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

At the Brownie’s Annual Court of Awards event, the girls exchanged books, and received their next batch of earned badges.

Favorite Activities: Bake Sale, and Counting Money!

Favorite Activities: Bake Sale, and Counting Money!, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

Before receiving their loot, each Brownie talked about what badge activities they enjoyed the most. Helen, ever consistent in her passions, was most enthused about the Bake Sale, and Counting Money – a perfect combination if there ever was one.

Mochisuki 2012

Mochisuki 2012, a photo by Chris & Kelly on Flickr.

Helen was ready for Mochisuki this year, fresh from her street food experiences in Japan.