Happy Anniversary!

Today, Austin and I celebrate 9 years of marriage. Best 9 years of our lives...may we be blessed with many more!

Dance performance

Allia and Mariana completed their semesters at the homeschool center dance class today. They did some sweet dances for the parents at the end of class.

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!

Our stockings went up today with goodies inside, and we are even taking the day off school so we can do some extra baking and other fun stuff! We have lots of special days this week with mine and Austin's anniversary tomorrow and the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Thursday. What fun!

Sword fighting

We went to a very fun R family birthday party Saturday, and Daddy and the girls have been enjoying the cool sword party favors ever since!

At the party

Back home, the battle continues

Christmas Piano Recital

Allia played beautifully! Here is Carol of the Bells...

And a family rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High, which is the song that helped name Gloria when she was in utero. (Someone tell that pregnant lady to smile and enunciate! ;) ) Gloria was supposed to be up there with us, but she "chickened out" at the last minute. Oh, well!

Christmas at the Creek

(formerly known as Christmas in the Park, but it changed locations this year to a more spacious spot in town)

A real camel at the live Nativity (a very nice addition since there formerly was no Christ at "Christmas" in the Park!) All three girls agreed the Nativity was one of their favorite parts!

Allia: "It was sooo soft but it really stinks"
Stephen was really interested!

A pile of snow. They had tons of fun throwing snow balls!

And Mariana took one to go!

We also rode the hayride, did a craft, heard some live music and had cookies and hot chocolate. Lots of fun!

The Gospel according to a 3 year old

Today, the girls made letters for their neighbor friend. I was out watching them deliver the letters down the street. The little girl took one at a time and put them in her house. Afterwards, Gloria came running down the street excitedly and shouted, "Mommy, I was last at Bekah's house so I will be first in Heaven!" Then later as they played she told her friend, "Did you know that the last will be first in Heaven and the first will be last?" So cute! She is paying attention!