Christmas Morning

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

When all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

(Except for Pop Pop and Kariana who were sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

(Cookies and milk were left as an extra incentive)

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter!

(And, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a purple bicycle!)

I am $#&*@ years old?

I turned the big 40 this month so Tobin and I set off on an adult weekend to celebrate in San Francisco. We stayed at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill and had a relaxing weekend. We visited Aunt Kari, Uncle Eddie and Baby Annika (35 weeks in Aunt Kari's tummy). Kariana stayed with Grandma and Pop Pop and apparently didn't even miss us. Here is a picture of us in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel.

Breakfast with Santa & The Purple Bicycle

Kariana had breakfast with Santa a few weeks before Christmas. It's an annual event at St. Mark's School and this year Kariana was eager to sit on Santa's lap to let him know what she wanted for Christmas - a purple bicycle!

Sending a letter to Santa's workshop at the North Pole.

Intrigued by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Posing for a picture in Santa's sleigh.

The Christmas tree is all decorated but where are the presents?

Christmas Angels

Kariana participated in her first Christmas pageant at church on Sunday morning. After a long three hour dress rehearsal on Saturday the kids were finally ready for showtime. Kariana was an angel. I'm fairly certain Kariana and her other little angel cohorts did not understand the message behind the story. As the older kids practiced their lines in the church, the angels and shepherds (mostly preschoolers) watched Ruldoph the Red Nosed Reindeer and How the Grinch Stole Christmas in the room next to the side chapel. They snacked on cookies and fussed with their wings and halos. There seemed to be a lot of three-year old drama related to wings and halos while they waited for their big apperance. But when showtime came all of the girls looked like sweet angels sent down from heaven above. If you've ever had a three-year old, you'll appreciate the irony! Tis' the season!