Last week Annaliese's school had their Christmas program. Her preschool class sang two different songs. They were accompanied by the 4th graders because, although most of the kids knew quite a few of the words to the songs, preschools are not known for singing loudly on stage! Annaliese dressed up as Mary and her friend Kenan was Joseph. The rest of the class were angels.
"Campana sobre Campana"
Haleigh doesn't ever want to miss out on any of the fun...
so she needed her own Mary costume:)
We've had quite a bit of rain lately which means that the mountains have had quite a bit of snow! We headed up to the Salmon Ridge Snow Park on Saturday to check it out. The snow park is definitely designed for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing with several groomed trails, and we will have to go out with our snowshoes later this winter. This time we took a sled and just wanted to make sure we had the necessary gear for everyone to stay warm!
It was a beautiful drive...we took a little detour around a construction zone
and saw dozens of bald eagles! (no pictures of them though)
It took so long to get packed up and to the snow park that by the time we got there it was time for lunch before we even started playing in the snow:)
Catching snowflakes
Attempting to build a snowman
Daddy and Haleigh sledding down the 'hill'
Not a fan!
Daddy and Annaliese
Checking out the trail
We ended up playing in the snow for over an hour! It took Annaliese a little while to get to used to the idea of snow, but she ended up having a lot of fun. Haleigh only had fun if she was sitting on my lap or I was carrying her. The good news is that everyone stayed warm and dry (thanks to a few Christmas presents we opened early!) and we will definitely go again!
This weekend was all about getting ready for Christmas! Friday afternoon we went and cut down our Christmas tree. Naturally, we walked through the entire grove of trees only to decide on one about twenty feet from the car!
Looking for the perfect tree
We brought the tree home and then the girls had nap/quiet time while Kyle and I set the tree up and Kyle brought the reindeer down from the attic to set up outside. Once Annaliese woke up, she helped me put the lights on the tree. By this time, it was time to grab dinner and get ready for our next event.
A local church puts on an event yearly called "A Walk Through Bethlehem." My parents came over and we headed to the church to check it out. At the entrance we were all handed a bag of coins that we could use to purchase items throughout Bethlehem. We first entered into King Herod's palace where we met the wise men who had come looking for the new King. From there, we went out into the city of Bethlehem where there were different shops set up (a basket shop, the woodmakers shop, a granery etc) At each shop, we could 'purchase' something with the coins they had given us. We came home with some fruit, some lentils, and a few toys from the toy shop. There was also a tea shop (with delicious hot tea!) a synogogue where the rabbi was reading the prophecy of the birth of Christ from Isaiah, and the tax collectors. As we reached the end of the city, we came to the Inn with the stable where Mary and Joseph were with Baby Jesus in the manger. The people who put the event on were all in costume and did an excellent job playing their parts.
Annaliese is in the pink coat looking at the Baby Jesus (this time it was just a doll, but sometimes they have a real baby!)
Saturday morning we decorated the Christmas tree and then had early naps in anticipation of the fun we were planning for the rest of the day:)
In the afternoon, we went to the Bellingham Cruise Terminal where there was a gingerbread house contest on display. There were some impressive gingerbread houses! We also had the chance to have a picture with Santa or visit with Olaf, Elsa, and Anna, but Annaliese didn't want to do either of those.
Uncle Thane's class from school entered two different gingerbread houses in the contest...this one of the Lynden Windmill won 2nd place (the other one was Repunzel's Tower and it won 3rd place in it's category!)
This one of Seattle was entered by students from Annaliese's school (Evergreen Christian School)
Another impressing design!
From here, we headed to Uncle Thane and Auntie Kim's house for dinner before we went to the Lighted Christmas Parade in Lynden. Thankfully it wasn't raining but there was a very chilly wind blowing!
We were standing on the ramp leading up towards the Post Office so that everyone could easily see!
One of the large trucks blew its horn right by us...it was super loud and Haleigh was terrified! It actually scared both the girls and there were lots of tears and Annaliese covered her ears for the rest of the parade!
It's hard to see, but there is a girl ice skating on this one!
To round out our weekend of Christmas activities, we went to some friends house on Sunday afternoon for dinner and our own gingerbread house making!
Once the kids were done, we put a movie on for them so the adults could also make one!
We spent Thanksgiving Day at Grandpa and Grandma's house, along with Auntie Kelsey, Uncle Ben, and Mallory. I started the day with a quick, chilly run and then we made it to their house by 11:00. After a few snacks, we decided that since the sun was shining we should get outside so we went on a nice walk to Whatcom Falls. With all the rain we just had, the river was moving quickly and the falls were beautiful! It was neat to see because for awhile earlier this summer the falls had almost dried up!
Auntie Kelsey and Annaliese
Haleigh Bear, all bundled up!
But we did think she might want to see a thing or two!
Grandma spotted this pygmy owl on the walk home... apparently it is super rare to see one!
Still checking out the owl
Once we got back home it was time for final lunch preparations and then our Thanksgiving feast was served. No one went hungry with all the delicious food...turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans with cranberries and hazelnuts, a spinach pear salad, rolls and more!
After lunch, which ended about 4:00, we watched a bit of football and Uncle Thane, Auntie Kim, Elias and Malachi arrived. We had pumpkin pie and Frozen Turkey's for dessert. (A Frozen Turkey is made up of butter pecan ice cream, Wild Turkey bourbon and amaretto all blended together into deliciousness!) The kiddos played for awhile and then we parted ways and called it a day.
