Traditions abounding this year....for the third year in a row, we went to Lakeside Tavern for their Breakfast with Santa event. We love this event (especially Elaina). It's a small event, they serve a yummy breakfast, and Santa comes - what more could you ask for? This year was no different the last two years. We had a good time as a family and Elaina got to see Santa and give him her list :) Now on the photos......
Elaina has been taking piano lessons for about 3 months. Earlier this month she had her first recital. At first she was really not happy about doing this recital. She told her teacher "I can't do it. I'm too little." So after lessons one day, her teacher (who I really like) came up with the idea of doing her own special recital with out any other kids. Just Elaina and a small group of her loved ones. So, it was just that - us (the parents) my mom, Gale, and Erik's parents. It was so great. I thought it was going to be super short since she only had 5 songs she was playing that were short. But, it was more than that.
At the beginning, her teacher told us that she likes to do recitals to show children that taking lessons is about learning and then sharing what you know and your music with others. It's not about how good you are, only about sharing your music with others. I like that. She said that this recital was a lesson for Elaina. She stopped Elaina along the way and told her etiquette type things that she needed to know (like how to bow after you perform, how to push the bench in and out, etc...). She encouraged us to cheer for Elaina and encourage her along the way - not just during the recital but every time we see her.
She also had all of us play a game that Elaina plays during her lessons that teaches things about music (where certain notes were on the keyboard, how many beats were in notes, etc..) so we could all hear what Elaina had been learning. It was very enjoyable and Elaina ended up having a good time even though she did not want to do it initially.
Afterwards, we asked Elaina if she liked taking lessons and she said yes and she wants to continue to do so. We are happy to oblige.
Okay....I have rambled on long enough.
Before the show - I let her pick her outfit.
After one of her songs...She would not bow. Just stand there with her finger in her mouth :)
We held our fourth annual Christmas Gingerbread House making again with the Fords. As always, it was so fun. We did it at the same time that Missouri played Auburn in the SEC Championship. The Fords are from Missouri so are big fans. Needless to say the guys (Erik and Justin) were not as engaged in the building this year because of that but that is okay. We all had fun.
We did it at our house this year since we have one :)
Elias is now 2 so he got to do one...I can't believe how big he is - and SOOOO stinkin adorable.
We added new element to it this year...trees made from ice cream cones. Super cute and the kids like doing those. Saw it on Pinterest or FB or somewhere. Don't remember.
Tami got in on the action
All the kids with their finished projects....Elias, Olivia, Elaina and Isaac....
Elaina's school had their Christmas program in early December...It was super cute...It had all the usual - super cute, loud, fidgety, singing kids, an angel, shepherds, wisemen, Mary and Joseph, and most important...baby Jesus.
Elaina stood on the front row (she's in the middle of this pic below) of the choir and every time I see her with her other classmates, I am reminded how she is on the shorter side of a six year old. No big deal, I just always forget until I go to her school and see her with all her other kids her age.
Videos...not edited down but cute
She turned around a lot to see her self on the big screen that was behind her as they recorded it. :) So a lot of her shots on camera for the screen were of the back of her head. silly kid.
Tradition has set in...We go to the Fantasy of the Trees every year the day after Thanksgiving. We love it and it beats Black Friday shopping any day. I met a lady and her daughter who were volunteering there. She said they came every year the day after Thanksgiving until her daughter out grew it. Then, they started volunteering together...
SO going to do that in a few years when Elaina grows tired of going for the fun of it.
Here are pics....all of Elaina (of course)
oh wait...there is one of the 3 of us
She did lots of ornaments/crafts to take home - always fun for her
And always a carousel ride happens...she went by herself this year. First time for that.
Not sure where this month has gone but a lot has gone on - it's the holidays so that is to be expected. Here goes the catching up....starting with Thanksgiving.
The only time I got my camera out was at the Thanksgiving celebration on my dad's side of the family. I am glad I did because this is part of the family that doesn't make the blog very often....
Brooklyn (our neighbor and cousin's daughter) Rachel, Uncle Jeff, and Elaina
You know these crazy people
My beautiful Mammaw
Celia giving Mammaw a hug
My sister, Abby, her two girls, Sadie and Celia, and Mammaw
Cousins...
More cousins...
Rachel and my Aunt Rhonda (the host)
Uncle Tim, Brenda and my dad
Doug, Uncle Jeff, and Abby
Cousin Becca and my sister Kate
Bo and my cousin Ashley
Alexandra celebrated her 18th birthday on Thanksgiving this year. 18? What?? This blows my mind, makes me sad...and makes me feel old, quite frankly
Elaina had the camera for all these photos....
This last one is random...I made nice on a promise to Elaina to make applesauce (I had been promising her for far too long). We finally did it and it was delicious - and very easy if you have one of these things. Not even sure what the name of it is. I call it the applesauce maker but it has a formal name. She really loved doing it.
