Christmas 2016

School Christmas Concert

Hudson and Maira are at the same school. Maira was asked to dress up as an elf for her number. She absolutely insisted that she HAD to wear stripes and so this was what we came up with at the very last minute - that striped shirt is actually mine so she's wearing the vest to cover up all the safety pins on the back of the shirt! She had a red dress that would have been just fine but it wasn't striped, so...

And Hudson's class was asked to come dressed up as a future career. Hudson chose a scientist (those are supposed to be lab safety glasses on his head).

Christmas Lights

Our new neighbourhood has a Christmas tradition of selling paper luminaria as a fundraiser for a local shelter and then you can go on a horse-drawn wagon ride around the neighbourhood on the night that all the candles are lit. Even though it was super cold, it was still a lovely night.

Later in the month, when the weather has thankfully warmed up a bit, we went for a walk down Candycane Lane with John, Gennie, and Spencer (I think Hannah was in Kentucky).

There were city employees there handing out free hot chocolate.

And big bins for collecting Food Bank donations.

Maira, still wearing her stage makeup from her school concert:

Connor's Band Concert

Connor was born with natural musical talent but he didn't take to piano after three years of lessons and while he sings beautifully at home ALL THE TIME, he refuses to join any choirs or perform in any way. So I was thrilled when he opted for band in his junior high options. He plays the trumpet. There are still squeaks and missed notes here and there but he's come a long way, especially considering he's managing to play with braces on his teeth!

We went to his first concert but unfortunately, from our seats, didn't have the greatest vantage point for photos:

Saying Goodbye to Howie

Howie became really sick shortly after we moved to our new home last year and over the summer and fall, he went steadily downhill. By December, it was clear that it was time to say goodbye to our dear sweet dog. He was especially close to Connor and Jess and there were many, many tears shed when Howie died.