The week of Christmas started with another concert for Mariah.  This time we got to see her sing with the Brookside after-school choir.  She looked lovely . . .

and she sang with drama and gusto!  It was great fun.  She sure loves to sing! We celebrated Kevin’s birthday on Monday because he was so, so busy on Tuesday.  We had fried chicken and mashed potatoes and cheesecake for desert.  We even opened presents afterward and gathered for a great family picture.  We really love that man!

On Tuesday, school was cancelled due to all the snow.  The girls thought that was terrific!

 

On Wednesday morning, we woke up to this:

Our little Megan FINALLY (in her impatient opinion) turned twelve years old.  She was so excited!  We had a party for her that night, but I forgot my camera.  (Dang it!)  She got some boots and a very cool hat that she wore around for three days straight.  She also got her own set of scriptures.  At her request, on the front they simply say, “Meg.”  She also got a new dress, but she received that present early because last Sunday, she had absolutely nothing to wear!  (So she told me, anyway. . .)  We had a fun time celebrating her birthday and are very glad that she is twelve.  She is so glad to be with her sisters and friends in the Young Women program and I know she will do great!

On Thursday, I had to finish Christmas presents, so I had Sarah and Savannah make pizza for dinner.  Aren’t they cool?

Savannah and Sarah were so good that Santa Claus came to see them later that night!!!  (Look!  You can see Meg in her hat!)  Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

     

Friday was finally Christmas Eve!  We had candlelight dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Gazdik’s house as is traditional.

Everyone performed a song for us on the piano or violin.  Dad read the Christmas story and after much arguing on who had to dress up as what, the girls even acted out the Nativity with Ben as baby Jesus.

Afterward, the girls opened presents from Grandma and Grandpa and modeled their new clothes.

Then we went home and sent everyone to bed.

They all went, too – except for Bethany who at two years-old doesn’t quite grasp the Santa Claus concept and was content to stay up late watching Dora.  She was Santa’s elf!