The 2nd annual Elf Dance... doin' a 'jig'

Featuring: Andersen, Sara, Benjamin, Caleb and introducing 'Sparky'

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/enlStfZ1vQRLWZcs

Other Christmas Season Traditions...

Saturday I took Sara down to see her cousin Emma sing in a choir

from her school. They were performing at the Arlington Stake Center.

Local choirs are invited to perform every 30 minutes in the

chapel for people to enjoy. Of course,

it's a missionary type experience... and an impressive tradition.

Every year during this time some group of ambitious people

transform the whole building into room to room vinettes of

Nativities for 2 wks. This is to say they set up backgrounds and

back drops and people from the ward/stake/community

bring their Nativity collections for display.

It's incredibly amazing... easily over a thousand sets...

the one from Kenya made from Banana tree leaves was

pretty amazing. This year they set up a stable in the gym area

and provided all kinds of costumes that people could wear

and make their own live family nativity and take pics.

Clever.

After that we grabbed the rest of the family and went downtown

for our small town like Christmas parade where

classic car zealots and hot rodders get to polish up their jalopies and

parade them down the street pelting the crowds with candy.

Firetruck, marching band, motorcycle cops, trailers of

boy scout troops and red hat ladies...

you know, typical parade fun...

There's only certain occassions

when toddlers riding in the back of a truck is acceptable.

I did mention the candy right?

Caleb has learned how to capitalize on that little benefit...

The Nutcracker, part "deaux"

Last year Sara made her debut in
The Nutcracker Ballet
as a mouse in the Fight Scene.

This year she has reprised her role
and included me in her world
as a mom in the Party Scene...

AKA: Party Mom (hey, if the name fits....)

I have to admit, it was quite a
funtastic

mom & daughter experience.
We finished with our final performance today... a matinee. This is definitely a brilliant beginning to a holiday season.

PSYCH!!

Time to restart my blog?

A lot of life's activities and trials have been consuming my time and resources like a hungry forest fire. But I've missed out on marking some of the great and pivotal moments in my life. So, I suppose it's a good time to restart my blog. My new goal is maybe a weekly update? hmmm. stay tuned.

Sara's Baptism

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon on March 30th.

Bluebonnets were just barely in bloom,

trees sprouting their tender new leaves,

and Sara was surrounded by family and friends

to witness and celebrate

her Baptism and Confirmation.

Mom & Dad were there.... (of course!)

Grandpa and Grandma Newman came from Boise

to be here for the special event.

Grandpa and Grandma Andersen came from Pocatello

to make sure they didn't miss anything.

And of course Sara's brothers were all there.

Sara was baptized by her Dad.

footloose and fancy free. Remember feeling like this?


All the family love and support - Sara is definitely loved dearly.
Wish everyone could have been here!

Sara's Birthday Week!

When Sara turned eight last week, the party kept going...

and going.......

and going.....

and going......

and going.....

and going......

Festivities included brownie cake with sprinkles; a crew of cousins; a couple of Aunts & an Uncle; 2 sets of Grandparents; Beauty and the Beast tickets and a white party dress.

A very memorable day.