The week between Christmas & New Year’s Day is often a slower pace. This year, because we were home for Christmas, it was even slower. And it was glorious. Kenny took the week off, which he usually does, and that makes it so nice. We didn’t leave the house for three days & it was very relaxing for all of us. Our fall was much busier this past year & by the time we made it through the Nutcracker, everyone was needing a rest. 

We slept in, had no agenda for days & just refreshed together. We played hours & hours of games. Our new favorites this year were Just One, Five Crowns & Klask. Highly recommend them if you’re looking for great family games. We worked on a puzzle which might be a tad difficult for this family. After taking Christmas decorations down, I decided to leave it up in the hopes we’ll finish it. We ate lots of great food & treats. We took naps & watched movies. Anna & I cut out snowflakes, & Kenny took Anna on their annual ice-skating date.

We enjoyed New Year’s Eve with our traditional dinner of dips & appetizers & an epic-long Monopoly game (over 3 hours). Kenny bankrupted us all & overturned Anna’s winning streak from the previous couple of years. We all managed to make it to midnight & saw the fireworks on top of Pikes Peak to ring in the New Year! 

We are so thankful for the beautiful Christmas we had this year. We hosted an early celebration on December 22nd with our family while my parents were in town for the Nutcracker. 

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day were quiet with just the four of us. We roasted chestnuts for the first time, went to Christmas Eve service, decorated sugar cookies, & grilled steaks for dinner. It was a lovely time to slow down, eat great food, play games & enjoy each other’s company. 

Anna performed beautifully, once again, in A Colorado Nutcracker held at the Pikes Peak Center. Rehearsals began at the beginning of September on Tuesday nights & Saturdays, & continued until the shows on December 19th & 20th. 

The following pictures are from the Cast Reveal back in August. All of the dancers & parents filled a room, & level by level the girls were called up to take their envelopes for the October show, Take Flight, & A Colorado Nutcracker. Then all together they opened them & the excitement & screaming began. Anna was so excited about her roles this year – Mary McAllister & a Chinese Cookie.

This year, Anna was sick with the flu for four days leading up to the shows. We were concerned about her having the strength to perform, but we called in friends & family to pray & God gave her a little miracle. We were so thankful for his mercy & protection for her. Anna’s dedication to dance is incredible & we’re so proud of her hard work!