Starlighting - let the Holidays begin!

A yearly tradition for our family - Starlighting. we love it. we cant stay away. This year the weather was good - a bit windy but nice still. The live nativity, being with friends, seeing people all around, Todd and Brandon playing together this year in the band on the street, treats and free hot chocolate, Santa and of course the Starlighting itself. Good times!! Great memories!

Valentines Weekend

Christen at her Valentines Class party.

The boys gave Christen an early birthday gift - a Webkins Love Monkey.

Friday night we had a great time at the Stk Sweetheart Ball. The Activities commitee do such an incredible job with the planning, decorations, food, everything. It was AWESOME. We brought our friends and neighbors, Dave and Denise and they loved it too
We enjoyed the dance instruction - even though we didnt catch on as well as some of the couples! I had told not to get me flowers so instead we went to the movies with the kids. Pink Panther 2 --I know, I know Keri - I guess it is our thing.


I actually was glad that I was in a good mood by Friday night. I was kind of a rough week and then Todd came home all stressed and announced in all of the confusion with the kids and making dinner -- " We are moving to San Antonio!" I looked at him - not sure if he was serious or not - and then he said, "no, but it was really close." I was mad because you just dont joke around about a big decision like that and you dont just announce it like that!! I guess they are closing several of the regional offices - Sacramento, Florida and Virginia. So those people can chose from Phoenix, Colo Springs or a severence package. I guess we were lucky this time. - although I do like San Antonio though. Im glad we are staying for now. I finally forgave him. He never did make a big move like that growing up, where I moved around alot. I guess he didnt know how to handle it.

One more tradition

Todd had two more days off that we werent expecting - so he was home Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon and Tues! It was great!! We went to the rec center to swim and also went to Garden of the Gods and had lunch at Souper Salad with Todd's parents.

Monday we did our yearly sleep by the Christmas Tree night. We really dont fit very well, but we always make it work. We read Christmas stories and visited. It was very fun.

Merry Christmas!!

Nativity Play with the neighbors and visit from Santa!

Christmas morning - Traditional kids on the stairs, Brandon got a huge lego set, Trevor a hi tide/ rip stick, Christen an mp3 player and webkins, Todd and I a GPS - I am so excited! We also got a Wii. So Fun!

When Todd's parents came for Christmas dinner they gave each of the kids a special CTR ring. However, before they knew what it was, Grandpa had wrapped them up in 1000's of plastic bags and newspapers and then in big boxes and packing peanuts. It was funny watching then unwrap, and unwrap and unwrap. Gpa was having some fun! - It was a mess to clean up - especially those staticy packing peanuts!!

Christmas aftermath

I made hats and scarves for all of us -- learned that at enrichment!

Doggie Party - Angus and Odie

Angus and Misty

Cake!!

Ok -December flew by and the blogging just didnt happen. Since my kids have been home from school I have to fight for computer time. Today was wonderful. We hung out and had Todd's parents here for dinner. Unfortunately, our children are not old enough to want to sleep in, so we were up at 5 AM!! Crazy. At least the day always seems longer - more time together. I did take a nap by 9:30 AM. I had to or I would be bad mood mom for sure!! Last night we had two sets of neighbors over to do the nativity play and have hot chocolate after. It was nice. They had not done this as a tradition, so it was fun to share what we do as a family. Then we watched the dvd Joy to the World. As that was finishing up we had a special surprise visitor --Santa! It was great. our kids and our neighborkids thought that was the best!!


By the way, yesterday I did two things that I never have before. I tried roasted Chestnuts - you know - like the song --Chestnuts roasting on an open fire -- and at the same place I tried the chestnuts (our neighbors Dave and Denise) we were invited to a doggie 1st birthday party. They are really into their dogs - and they dont have kids - so they had a party for Angus. We have gotten to know Angus because I have help by letting him out during the day time as he was being trained. He really is the best and most friendly doberman that I have ever seen. I am not really much of a big dog person, but he is a good dog. Anyway, there was doggie ice cream and cake and then people ice cream and cake. Wow!! I also really liked the chestnuts. You have to score them before baking them and they come out soft. Two new experiences in one day!!

STARLIGHTING 2008

We had a great evening last night at the annual STARLIGHTING. We met up with our friends and neighbors Dave and Denise. They had never been so we had to share the fun. After Todd played at the bandstand we took the trolley to the festivities where we walked around and got all of the free cookies, candy, hot chocolate and cider. We love visiting all of the different church booths. One church does a live nativity with real animals and it was also fun to see our missionaries caroling. The kids also got fre glowsticks and pens.

OK - we really love the freebes!!

The crowds gathered we were reminded once again why we love living here. We have such a great community. We sang carols and then Santa came to turn the switch for the star. The weather was great and the evening part of our special family tradition to start off the holidays. There were fireworks after and then our friends came over to our house for nachos and dessert.

Turn down my music below to watch and hear videos.

Trombone Choir

Another of Todd's performances - this one included the Trombone choir. There are 5 of them. Todd is second to the left. That same night they had some salsa music from another band and dance instruction --until it started to downpour! Then it cleared enought for Todd's band to play and we learned a little waltz. The town does this every month during the summer.

Starlighting Tradition

Last night we went to our annual starlighting event. It is the coolest thing ever. Earlier in the day Todd joined the Castle Rock band at the library bandstand for an hour long concert. Then we took a town trolley over to the festivities. There are lots of booths sponsored by many churches including our own. They pass our free cookies, hot cider and provide carolling. One church even has a live nativity with real animals. As it gets darker the crowds gather to the city and county building and there is a short presentation before Santa comes and lights up the star on top of the Castle Rock. Then there are fireworks!! It is such fun! This year Brandon brought a friend and we met up with some other friends of our too. The weather was perfect the whole evening - just jacket weather. We have been there other years when it was frigid.

Speaking of traditions Todd and I went on Thursday night to a High School play of Fiddler on the Roof. One of the young men from our ward played Tevye (sp). It was awesome! Brandon also enjoys watching the kids for some extra cash.

STARLIGHTING!