All I Want for Christmas...

All I want for Christmas

is my 2 front teeth!

Dancing Queens

Tuesday night, Lindsey and Taylor, along with two of their favorite friends, Aimee and Ella, got a chance to shine brightly at half-time at a Prior Lake High School boys basketball game. It was absolutely adorable and the fans cheered loudly for our little dancers.

This year we are trying out a new dance company, Just For Kix, since it is more affordable and allows the girls to perform 3 times throughout the school year (versus one recital at the end of the year that lasts ALL weekend and costs a gazillion dollars). They are having so much fun with it and are super excited to perform again. I am guessing they liked the fan reaction :)

Pre-Show Pose

Practice pre-show

Girls Rule!

Wheeee!

Ella, Lindsey, Taylor & Aimee together on the floor

The Squad

Future Rockettes?

Shining Brightly

We did it!

Slumber Party Sweeties

Two words make the eyes of most children light up: SLUMBER PARTY! Last Friday, the eve of the record-breaking snow storm in MN, we had our great friends, the Ericksons, over for a small Christmas celebration together. We had such a nice time! Unfortunately, the slumber party had to be cut short due to our bad weather setting in. But not before we captured a few shots of sleeping babes.

PS - Jon and Dave may THINK they rule the game of "Jokers" (thanks to lucky cards, consistently) but Nicole and Tina showed them in the end who deserves the throne :)

Best Friends

Who needs a bed or a pillow?

Boys do!

Live Nativity

This past Sunday our family got to make history; we were one of two families who volunteered for our church's very first Live Nativity. What a rewarding experience it was! Dad was Joseph, Mom was Mary, Lindsey & Taylor were angels and Dylan was a shepherd boy. A sweet teenager was a king and our wonderful leader was the innkeeper.

Every year our church puts on an amazing Christmas play/musical and this year they decided to include a Live Nativity complete with live animals for both shows on Saturday and both shows on Sunday. So on Sunday, we bundled up warm and put on the costumes provided to us and hit the "stable". The animals included sheep, donkeys and miniature horses along with lots of hay, a manger and of course, manure to go with it all :) It was a riot!! LTD absolutely adored the animals and Dylan took his role pretty seriously and kept the hay in the pen and tended to the animals continuously. Of course, Lindsey & Taylor had to help tend to the animals as well. Taylor's baby doll played the role of Baby Jesus quite nicely. I believe it was a big hit for all; Pastor Dodge, Muscial Director Jane, spectators and cast alike.

It was an excellent reminder of the true reason for the season......the birth of our Savior. May all of you enjoy a very Merry Christmas!!!

The Cast of the Live Nativity

Other furry cast members
Joseph

Lindsey tending to the miniature horse

Donkey 1 of 2

Shepherd Boy (the cane was a BIG hit!)

Angel 1 - Lindsey

Angel 2 - Taylor

Bowling Babes

LTD hit the bowling alley on Saturday along with 17 of their favorite friends for some cosmic bowling and to celebrate their 6th birthday. I believe fun was definitely had by all! It's hysterical to watch little people bowl; big, heavy balls hitting the lane with a hard thud and moving EVER so S-L-O-W-L-Y!!! Thank you to our dear friends for loaning us your sweet children for a few hours and for helping out. It was definitely a highlight of LTD's birthday week thanks to all of you. God bless you and your families.

Below is a brief slideshow that captures some of the memories.

6 Years Old!!!

Yesterday was another milestone at Camp Clark; our babes turned 6 years old!!! Words cannot describe the joy in LTD's hearts ALL day yesterday. Their day was filled with love, joy, laughter, celebration, peace, amazement, hugs, kisses, singing and........tears (that would be mom). I get a little emotional when I reflect on the years we have shared and how fast that time has gone.

LTD's big day started with cuddling in bed and dad and mom sang Happy Birthday followed by one of their favorite breakfasts; waffles and fruit. The celebration continued at Kindergarten with all their darling classmates and awesome teacher; dad was even there to help out since he volunteered in class yesterday for the reading program. From there, we met at Mall of America since children ride free on their birthdays. LTD were ecstatic they got to try out some new rides this time since they have grown from the last time we were there. They literally SPRINTED from ride to ride all night, laughing all the way. Dad and I got on some rides too with them and we almost hurled from the spinning roller coaster. Can you believe the kiddos were ready to go again? AND, guess who they got to visit with personally........SANTA! It was a quiet night at MOA so they had Santa all to themselves :) Afterwards, we had a tasty dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the mall, Twin City Grill which was a nice treat for all. BUT, LTD couldn't wait to eat and get home to open presents.

After baths, we let them stay up a little later to open presents and play with them a bit. It's amazing to watch a child's eyes light up when they open gifts, isnt' it? The excitement is something I wish we could bottle up and sell to all of us who sometimes need a boost of true joy.

LTD hit the sack hard with smiles on their faces. Up next, Cosmic bowling on Saturday with their closest friends and going to our church's Christmas Pageant on Saturday Night. Sunday, our family is volunteering for our church's live nativity scene which is held all weekend during the pageant times. Dad is Joseph, mom is Mary, and LTD are angels . Thankfully we have lots of baby dolls to play the part of Baby Jesus. By Sunday night, I believe we are all going to be exhausted from all the fun but what a great feeling it will be. We are so amazingly blessed and grateful for our "angels". Thank you, God!