This past December, Anna participated again in her ballet studio’s production of A Colorado Nutcracker; performed at the Pikes Peak Center.  Her role was a Chinese Cookie, and she danced fabulously.  I am continually amazed at her dedication and perseverance.  Rehearsals began in September and continued most every Saturday through performance week, which was just days before Christmas.  

The orchestra rehearsal was held at the Broadmoor Hotel in one of the big ballrooms.  We had fun taking pictures with their beautiful Christmas trees. 

Last year we learned all about stage makeup and how to apply it, and this year we learned all about false eyelashes!  Mom was stressed about it initially, but with the help of one of Anna’s dance instructors, we figured it out!  

This year the studio performed four shows in two days.  We all attended the first night, and Kenny and I went again the second night.  

Anna, we are so, so proud of you!  What an accomplishment!  

So far, James’s eighth-grade year has been full of opportunities for playing percussion.  He’s part of the eighth-grade concert band, and also, at our strong suggestion, tried out for one of the jazz bands in the fall.  The Silver Jazz band is comprised of mostly high school students and a handful of Jr. High students.  James is one of the four Jr. High kids that made it in.  We are so proud of him!  Just auditioning alone was a great experience.  And thankfully, he’s loving jazz band and getting the chance to play drumset.  Because of James’s efforts with jazz band, and because the directors now know he can play drumset, he was given some of the coveted parts in concert band.  A great opportunity for James!  

Jazz band in December…

Concert band…James is playing drumset in the first song (you can’t see him) and snare drum in the second song (right behind the director).  Way to go, James!  We’re so proud of you and all of your hard work!  

James with some percussion buddies.

Kenny and I participated in our church’s Christmas program again.  Lots of hours in rehearsal but it is always so worth it and one way we can use the gifts God has given us.  Kenny’s lights were incredible as always, and he received so many wonderful comments about the show.  

Anna’s class Christmas party at school was also a surprise birthday party for her teacher, Mr. Warchol.  His birthday fell over Christmas break and he was SO surprised by it.  A fun way to kick off break!

Our small group Christmas party was lots of fun in December.  One couple cooked steaks for us as their gift to us all which was so nice.  And, we always have a white elephant gift exchange which is the highlight every year.  

Celebrating Kenny’s birthday with dinner out and opening the Swiss Colony gift from my brother for lunch.  

Some of James’s very cool spray paint creations!

And, to give you a smile, a video of Anna, taken during another drum lesson where we’re killing time in the van.