our holidays so far

On Thursday December 17th there was an ugly sweater and tie contest at the High School. Eric came in second place...Glen got there too late for the judging, but I think he cudda been a contenda.

My parents came into town and on Tuesday the 22nd we all had cornish game hens at my in-laws' house. Hannah and Eric performed "Silent Night" for us. And then it was time for Grandma Perazzo's pajama party.

Grandma and Grandpa Perazzo give us money for clothes each year. Then each child "opens" the gifts in front of Grandma and Grandpa so that they can see what they bought the kids! Whoever's turn it is to open their gifts gets to wear the Santa hat. Here Alex is having a turn.

Here Ryan is having his turn.

 

Next we have me on Christmas morning hiding the pickle that Eric made many years ago in school (see the white outside the window???). Whoever finds the pickle gets to be the first to open a gift. This year Eric won.

This picture was taken Christmas morn just to prove we did have a White Christmas.

Here's Glen (and Ryan) opening one of his gifts.

Here's my mom (and Alex) opening windchimes.

 Here's my dad and his new dog (since Dec 1st)-a 7 year old bichon frise named Cricket.

 

We Wii bowled--my Dad and Glen challenged my mom and me...and they got creamed :) and here is Glen in action...not the best picture, but it sure is nice to be able to bowl bare-footed. It was pretty fun.

 

 Here is Eric with 2 friends. I just have to include this because they crack me up. Left to right we have Alex, Kevin, Eric, and Joe. Alex is obviously playing the DS. What are Kevin, Eric, and Joe doing? They were nearing the end of a 24 hour comic-book-creating marathon. They stayed up all night. I think they had fun, though they were very tired when it came time to quit. Can't wait to see Eric's book.

So that is our holiday up to now. It's been wonderful so far.

winter wonderland

What a great week we had. It started snowing Sunday afternoon and we wound up having school canceled for Monday and Tuesday...and since Glen is a teacher, he was home as well. We didn't have to go anywhere. Glorious. Monday was my birthday and it was perfect. I didn't get the peace and quiet I was originally anticipating, but it was so nice to have everyone close by.

On Wednesday I got to stay home as well. I don't like the cold, but I LOVE taking walks when the snow covers everything and all is hushed except for the crunching of the snow under your feet. I got to take such a walk on Wednesday (and I think I'm going to go again right after I post this). Here are some pictures showing the beauty of our area.

Hot tubs are great when it's snowing...though I have more sense than Glen, Alex, Ryan, and cousin Brent who hop out of the spa, run and/or roll around in the snow and then hop back in to the hot tub. Here Brent is climbing back in and Ryan is about to...silly boys. Sorry you can't see it too well...it was dark!

 The picture underneath is of the treats we had made...we were originally going to go Christmas caroling, an annual tradition with Glen's family. That got postponed due to the weather, so we had a counter full of treats.

Now we have me bundled up for my walk (it was less than 10º outside)...

...down Perazzo Lane...

And here is the corner of our front yard looking very wintery:

Alex as Tiny Tim and Hannah's birthday and a photo of Eric, too

Alex got the chance to be Tiny Tim in Glen's beginning theatre's class production of "A Christmas Carol." While I am not totally pleased with some of the liberties the playwrights take with the story, I think the kids did a fabulous job. It was so fun to see Alex on stage. He has had other minor roles, but I don't know that he's had more than one line to say before.

Here is Alex during the curtain call...really too dark to see him properly, but he was a cutie on stage. In case you are wondering what he is doing...he's still eat a dinner roll from the Cratchett's table.

Alex's cousin Becky played the Ghost of Christmas Past and she did such a great job too...her lines flowed smoothly and she looked so relaxed and comfortable on stage. It really was fun to watch.

Good job Alex and Becky!

On December 1st, Hannah turned 14. She got a long distance phone call from her friend, Jamee, who just moved to Hawaii, just as we were getting ready to sing "Happy Birthday to You." So, of course, she stayed on the phone, made her wish, blew out her candles...and left the room and continued talking while the rest of us began to eat her cake.

Happy Birthday Hannah!

I didn't post a photo of Eric on his birthday, so I'm doing so now. I just love the expression on his face as he contemplates which present he will open first.