Christmas Programs

Over the last month Jake and Luke both had Christmas programs. Luke had a singing recital inside the sanctuary of the church his preschool is held in. I have to say I have NEVER seen so many cameras and video cameras in one place; our family included : ) The children sang several songs and then had a reception after in the social hall. Santa came to visit, but Luke didn't want anything to do with him. He was though very pleased that his Dad was there, as you can see from the picture.






For Jake, it was a ukulele concert. He has been taking lessons with his uncle Frank for the last couple months. They take them in a Hawaiian restaurant called Keanu's here in Vacaville. It is so much fun for the two of them to do something together and even better that it keeps them both creative.

Lollipop Lane

We had such a great time over the Dinsdale's last weekend. They live on Lollipop Lane and really go all out for the Christmas season. Each year hundreds of people drive down Candy Cane and Lollipop Lane to see the beautiful lights and Christmas scenes. This year Rachelle and Joel had a gathering of family and friend during the annual canned food drive on their street. Rachelle's brother Frank was able to bring one of the fire engines down. He and another fire fighter passed out stickers to the passersby. We had such a great time enjoying warm drinks and cookies as well as the nacho bar.
Thanks for making more Christmas memories together!

Making our Wreath

We had such a great time at the Dinsdale's. Dinner was great and making the wreath was so much fun. The kids had a great time passing out candy canes and enjoying smore's by the fire.

Christmas traditions

During the Christmas season so many families enjoy family traditions, some old and some new. I love traditions and have carried some on to my family that I have always enjoyed from childhood. From setting out the nativity scene passed down from my Grandma, listening to Big Crosby's White Christmas ( over and over again! ), to hanging the now antique glass bulbs on my tree year after year. It is in keeping these traditions, that our memories of family members and Christmases past we have spent together are remembered. Since I have been married and raising my two young boys, there are a few new traditions that our family has started. One of these is the lighting of the advent candles each night. Last Friday night, we got together with the Dinsdale's to make our wreath. Rachelle and I got the children involved in making the wreath and talked about the meaning of the wreath. We have just this year started eating our dinner by only the light made by these candles. It is such a beautiful reminder of what Christmas really means. The other new tradition is eating fruitcake. ( I know I know ~ fruitcake? ) My Grandma Sawyer has started sending one to our family for the last few years from Corsicana, Tx. I love it!
I can only hope these new traditions will fill my children's heart and they will want to someday carry on the new and old traditions with their own families.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

This year Jake, Luke and I ventured out in the cold to see the downtown Christmas tree lighting. This was the 25th anniversary of the lighting. We had a great time visiting Santa, watching a live nativity scene, drinking hot cocoa and enjoying cookies. We also, for the first time this year, rode on a horse drawn carriage down Buck Avenue.


Jake and Luke waiting to get on the carriage ride



Vacaville museum



Vacaville chamber of commerce ~ historic library



Live nativity scene in town square



Our downtown Christmas tree. This year they used all blue and silver ornaments with blue lights for the 25th anniversary.
The next weekend we got our families Christmas tree as well. This is the first year that we got a flocked tree. Jake was SO excited looking at them, that is was nearly impossible to deny! : ) We also let him decide on the lights; so this is the first year for colored lights as well. We were so happy to have my mom, Steve and Carol here for the decorating, more hot cocoa, my favorite Texas fruitcake and visiting.


Jake's flocked tree

Jake, Andy and Luke decorating the tree

Our tree!

Packers 27 Cowboys 37

Last Thursday we had our friends Rob, Kris, Beth, Katie and James over for BBQ dinner, Beth's yummy fudge cupcakes and to watch the football game. Being the huge Dallas fans that they are, Kris and James had a great night ~ Andy and Jake not so much! : )






Everything started out chipper at our house the night of the Packer Cowboy game. However things turned sour after Favre hurt is arm.


Kris and Jake playing guitar hero during half time.


Kris goofing around in Jake's Packer helmet.



Could we possibly have a convert here?




Poor Andy loses! He made a bet with James, who gave him 7 points at half time, to wear a cowboys hat all week. We had a great time despite the loss and enjoyed the time with our friends.