Pictures with Santa

I had a fun time going back to see all of Jenna's pictures with Santa. Enjoy! Above: 2007

2008 - She wouldn't sit by herself so I had to go too.

2009 - At the North Pole - this is the real Santa my friends!

I love how she's really listening to what he's saying in the one above.

On another note, there are a few random things that I have to write down for posterity. One day, after her Bible class, I asked her what her story was about. I knew that it was from John 4, "Jesus Heals the Official's Son." She told me, "Jesus was sick and a boy healed him!" So precious even though she got it a little backwards.

Ever since Daddy's musical, Peter Pan, she has been obsessed. She wants to have stories about Peter Pan, she wants us to make her fly around the room, etc. When we went back to the same auditorium last week for Kevin's Holiday band concert, just after the concert started, she said, "Where's Peter Pan?! I want to see Peter Pan!"

A few nights ago, out of the blue, she says, "Mommy, I love you! Sometimes, I can't believe it!"

Ready for Christmas

Jenna is getting excited for Christmas already. Last week in music class, we sang Jingle Bells and played bells while we sang. She really got into it and sang very loudly. When she sings with you, she can sing all the correct words. Here's what she sings on her own (also notice how she holds her crayon - good form). (See "Jingle Bells 2009" video.)

Hard to believe that just 9 months ago, in March, this is how she sang it: (See "Jinglebells" video.)

A few weeks ago, Jenna watched the Sound of Music for the first time (it took 3 nights to watch the whole movie). Then she watched it again, a few days later. She loved it! After 2 viewings and a few times of me trying to muddle through the words with her, here's her version of Maria. (See "Maria" video.) Just before I got the camera, she did a better version including the "how do you hold a moonbeam in your hand" part.

In addition to "Maria," she has added "Do a Deer" and a little of the yodeling song to her repertoire. She requests the movie by asking, "Can we watch 'The Hills are Alive'?" And the other day she asked Garrison, "How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?"

Also, the other night we let her watch part of a Christmas movie on TV. Now, whenever she hears the specific song (I can't remember what it is) on the radio, she says, "That the song from the movie!"

Jenna's Daddy and Mommy are getting ready for Christmas, too. We've had lots of snow, one snow day and one late start day for Daddy. Christmas concert tonight. And, the best thing is we've got the keys to our new house!! Kevin has one more week of school, so maybe we can get settled in by Christmas!

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving in CO with Kevin's parents and my parents, sister, brother, and brother's girlfriend. We had a good time and did a lot of things. Jenna enjoyed watching Daddy carve the turkey and got some free samples!
After Thanksgiving at lunchtime, we went to walk around Garden of the Gods.

The kissing camels.

This one looks like an Indian chief.

The best view in the park.

Matt holding up the balancing rock/protecting Leslie.

The day after Thanksgiving, we went to the North Pole. Jenna got to sit on Santa's lap. She was very serious, taking it all in.

Jenna enjoying a ride with Daddy.

The popular photo op location.

Saturday, we ate breakfast at the Pantry and Jenna loved feeding the ducks. After that, we attempted sledding, but Jenna and I wiped out, ending the sledding fun. Hopefully, she'll be willing to try again in a few weeks when there is more snow. Saturday afternoon, Dad, Mom, Katie, Leslie and I went to tour the AFA while the others watched football or napped.

Girls Weekend

The weekend before Thanksgiving, I was so blessed to be able to get together with "my girls." The 6 of us have been friends since college and all have been my roommates at one point. Left to right: Sarah, Katie, Me, Jenni, Dara, and Mollie.

We had a blast! Thanks to Jenni for hosting at her home and to Mollie for taking all the pictures (I forgot my camera). For some reason, I can only get these two to post. For more, Jenni, did a great job on her blog. Highlights of the weekend: our mix CD that we all contributed songs to, Bueno, laughing, singing, praying, so much good food and tasty treats, New M**n, chinese food, shopping, scrapbooking all our previous get togethers, and the best was just being together.
I love this picture and think it's a good summary of the music of the weekend.