'Tis the Season...

'Tis the season...for Christmas caroling (Dec 18th). The Perazzo clan carols and delivers cookies to our neighbors each year. We used to sing "Away in a Manger" and then "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." The last few years we've sung "Silent Night" in place of "Away in a Manger." This year we tried to sing "Away in a Manger" again, but with 3 different versions of music for it (the one I grew up with, the one in the LDS Hymn Book, and the one in the LDS Primary Children's Songbook), we were singing different tunes at the same time (even though we practiced beforehand). We switched to "Silent Night" after a few houses since we just couldn't seem to all sing the same tune. It was really quite comical and helped to make the evening more memorable.

'Tis the season...for piano recitals (Dec 19th). Alex played in his last recital on the 19th. He has been wanting to quit taking piano for quite a while now, so we are finally allowing him to stop--with the lessons, not with the playing. He played well and seemed to enjoy the recital.

'Tis the season...for celebrating my parents' anniversary (Dec 20th). They have been married 57 years now. We enjoyed a lovely dinner at Sandwinds Restaurant.

'Tis the season...for show and tell--showing Grandma and Grandpa P what clothes (or other items) the kids bought with the money they were given (Dec 23rd).

Grandpa J in the background

tut tut it looks like rain

'Tis the season...for receiving Christmas cards, which is especially wonderful when it's a photocard from one of your sons serving a mission. BTW, Ryan is currently in Many, Louisiana (pronounced Man-ee).

'Tis the season...for putting together a Christmas/Winter puzzle to pass the time (Dec 24th).

Alex with Grandma J

'Tis the season...for traditions. Like the Jervis/New England tradition of lighting a bayberry candle at sunset on Christmas Eve (4:36 pm in Fallon) and letting it burn itself out to bring good luck in the coming year.

Alex did the honors this year and lit the candle

at bedtime there was still a few hours left of candle

'Tis the season...for the tree on Christmas Eve. Our star doesn't go on top of the tree until Christmas Eve. I love how the lights reflect on the windows and the floor.

'Tis the season...for wintery weather. It was gorgeous outside on Christmas morning with all the fog.

'Tis the season...for more traditions (Dec 25th). Like finding the paper maché pickle that Eric made in elementary school that's been hidden in the tree. The first one to find it gets to be the first to wear the santa hat, grab a gift from under the tree, and deliver the gift. Then the receiver of the gift, after putting on the santa hat and opening the gift, grabs another gift and delivers it along with the santa hat to the next recipient. And so on.

Alex and Hannah hunted for a long time for the pickle before Glen had to step in and find it

my dad searching hard for a gift to deliver to someone

Alex's turn

Hannah's turn

Glen always records all the gifts, recipients, and givers in his journal

my mom having a hard time opening the plastic package on her gift (a radio)

my dad, who flies RC airplanes, with his new hoodie (a week after he smashed his new plane to smithereens)

mom and dad with their dog Cricket

'Tis the season...for fun gifts. I had ordered a cow earflap hat online for Hannah, but then I saw a multi-colored (Bob Marley) cow earflap hat in town. I had to get the 2nd one because I really like it more...and it's a good thing because the one I ordered online turned out to be a child-sized hat.

not quite the right size

aaaah, much better

The assorted chocolate bar flavors from around the world from Geoff are almost too cute to eat, but I'm sure I'll enjoy every bite (as will Glen as it's for the both of us). Hannah gave me the chicken eyeglass holder (isn't it a riot!?). Ryan sent "Slap Ya MaMa" cajun seasoning mix from Louisiana. Too funny. (supposedly the mama gets a congratulatory slap on the back after serving another delicious dish seasoned just right)

'Tis the season...for talking to our 2 missionaries on the phone! We had to pause our gift opening for almost 2 hours to talk to our missionaries. Ryan called from 9-10 am (his mission had an hour to speak) and Eric called from 10-10:40 (his mission was given 40 minutes to talk since there were so many missionaries to share so few phones). The first minute or 2 of Eric's call, Ryan was on a cell phone and we held the 2 phones together so Eric and Ryan could say "hi" to each other. It was wonderful to talk to them and they are both doing well.

2 gifts from Ryan: "Why I Live in Louisiana 101 Dang Good Reasons" and "Cajun Night Before Christmas"

Grandma and Grandpa P were also able to be here for the calls

'Tis the season...to make and deliver treats (and therefore have a messy kitchen). Hannah made a bunch of treats to share.

And lastly and best of all: 'Tis the season...to enjoy our families and remember the birth of Christ and that it is through Him, His Atonement, and His gospel that we can live together forever as families.