Winter Soltice and Festive Fun ~

 Happy Winter Solstice!  I always look forward to the solstice, its a turning point in winter, meaning longer days and more sunlight are coming...and who doesnt like that :)  We had a relaxing day at home today...Jordyns last day of school was yesterday, so we got to sleep in and hang in our pj's all day!  Now that her teachers have received their gifts, i can post photos of them.

 These little quilts are roughly 10"x 40" and they can be used as wall hangings or table runners.  Its hard to tell in the photo, but they are 3 dimensional pinwheels, so they look prettier in person...but then again, what quilt doesnt :)  Anyways, back to Jordyns last day of school...

 The kids had a book exchange and then a big party!  There was a giant Christmas tree pinata filled with all kinds of toys, snacks and candy...then they decorated bagels with green cream cheese and red cranberries to look like holiday wreaths to eat for a snack...and then they went outside for some snow fun!

 The big kids pulled the little kids and there were relay races and lots of laughs!  It looked like soooo much fun, in fact, we had to blow the whistle to get the kids back inside and ready for the bus!  They just kept running and running and running! 

That evening, Jordyn wanted to sleep under the tree...doesnt she look cozy!  In fact, shes sleeping there tonight too :) 

Today we baked cookies and played Legos, then Justin and Jordyn went sledding and worked on our sled run while i made lasagna sauce for our Christmas Lasagna.  Then i made enchiladas for dinner...you could say i spent the whole day in the kitchen (but at least i was in my pj's :)
Oh...and we also made reindeer food...looks like we are just about ready for the big night! 

Cheers!

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Fifty

Week Fifty : A Moment With Santa

Digitally painted in Photoshop!

Santa, Reindeer and an Early Christmas!

We went to see Santa on Saturday at the Bath Garden Center, and we were very lucky because he brought a few of his reindeer with him.  Jordyn had never met reindeer before, so she was very excited...and they were friendly too!

The atmosphere was wonderful...gorgeous poinsettias for sale in every color...free popcorn and cider...

 lovely Christmas music performed by some of the high school students in the area...

 and of course, SANTA!

 She had a nice long conversation with Santa...she showed him her new teeth and her necklace from the tooth fairy...she asked about the reindeer...and then she told him what she wanted for Christmas...Little Pet Shop Pets and a Creepy Doll (Monster High Doll).  Then, after a big hug, it was time to head over to Uncle Dave and Aunt Lisa's house for an early Christmas dinner with the family.

 With families being spread out and numerous, we decided to have an early holiday get-together.  All of the men in this family like to cook, so the ladies kicked back while the guys prepared the feast!  The meal was fabulous!  Stuffed pork, mashed potatoes, spinach and artichoke casserole, cranberry casserole, broccoli with hollandaise sauce, salad and of course lots of pie for dessert!

 After the feast, it was time to run off some of that energy...at least for the kids!  The adults sat around sharing stories, wine and laughter! 

 Then it was time for the infamous grab bag!  Basically, everyone brings a bunch of junk and wraps it up for a grab bag.  There may be a few quality items in the pile, but most of them are cheesy and hilarious.  You can either pick from the pile, or steal from someone who has already opened a gift.  Regardless of what you end up with, the whole point of the grab bag is to bring us all together for laughter and story telling.  We reminisce about grab bags from the past...a particular item that seems to haunt the grab bag year after year...and the fun that it brings!

 When we run out of presents in the pile, we have a speed round at the end...for two minutes, we take turns stealing items from others (ex: if someone steals from you, then you get to steal from someone else, and so on)...this year, the CD player, a jar of pickles, the Lottery Troll, and a fireplace lighter were hot items....none of which i went home with :(

 I can happily say that i didnt end up with last years broken up ginger bread house or these saucy tank tops and a crazy straw! 

What i did take home...were some wonderful memories, left over pie, a bag of sillyness and a camera filled with hilarious moments!  Happy Early Christmas Everyone!

Message for Santa ~

After receiving an email and video from Santa, Jordyn decided she wanted to send an email back to him...this is that video :) Merry Christmas from the Black Bear Cabin ~

Jordyns first time in the Ocean

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Forty Nine

Week Forty Nine : Snowflake Girl

Digitally painted in photoshop.  i should probably do more work on this one, but i like the loose approach! 

Bah Humbug!

 On Saturday afternoon we took Jordyn to her very first theater experience...we went to the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse to see the musical Scrooge.  Our friend Marlin, who plays Jacob Marley,  had given Justin and i tickets as a thank you for all the tech support Justin had given him recently, so we purchased a ticket for Jordyn and another ticket for Christy, as a thank you for being our airport driver (and best friend)  :) and off we went!

 This was my first time going to a dinner theater, and i have to say, it was absolutely awesome!  The only way to go really!  We had terrific seats, but then again, there werent any bad seats in the house.  The food was delicious, Justin and i had the lemon pepper cod, Christy had the traditional beef pot pie, and jordyn ordered off the kids menu and had a corn dog.  Dessert was served during the intermission...and for dessert, we shared...a peppermint creme brulee and a piece of pumpkin praline cheesecake (which was quite tasty). 

 The atmosphere of the theater was quite cozy and beautiful.  Jordyn was fascinated by all the bling, the lights, the Christmas tree in the lobby, and she even thought the carpet was fancy!  And when the show began, she was mesmerized!  In fact, i found myself watching her as much as i watched the show.  The excitement on her face when they all came out to sing and dance...the costumes, the music, the set designs and how things moved on the stage.  She loved the way the stage went dark while the reflecting light from the ceiling mirror ball danced around the room during the set changes.  She would stand up by her seat and carefully spin around with the lights, and then sit down again to watch the next scene! 

 When Marlin, aka Jacob Marley, came on stage, she was absolutely taken by him.  I could hear her asking daddy all kinds of questions..."why is he wearing those chains"..."why is he green"..."how did he come out of that chimney"...He was scary and fascinating all at once!  So she was quite thrilled when she got to meet him after the show...

When Marlin asked her what her favorite part of the show was, she said, "when you came out of the chimney!  How did you come out of the chimney?"  To which he replied..."its magic!"  And it certainly was a magical evening for all of us!

Thank you sooooo much for a wonderful evening Marlin, we had a blast!  And thank you for taking photos Christy, im so glad you had your phone with you for these, you really captured our evening, and im soooo glad you shared it with us!  Bah Humbug....i think not!  :)