Wednesday, January 5, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

"The most vivid memories of Christmases past
are usually not of gifts given or received,
but of the spirit of love,
the special warmth of Christmas worship,
the cherished little habits of the home."
~ Lois Rand

Christmas 2010 is over.  I spent the day yesterday "putting Christmas away".  That meant taking down all the decorations around the house...emptying the remaining candy from the stockings (along with empty candy wrappers!)...and replacing each ceramic figure from our Nativity set in its styrofoam bed for another 11 months.  As I put decorations away, my mind replayed the laughter and joy that filled our house this Christmas.  All our children except Bethany, Tanner and Ty, were able to be home for the holiday.  My Dad drove out from North Dakota to be with us as well. There was much music making, cookie baking, last minute shopping and non stop talking in our home. We also enjoyed a few Christmas movies all together. 

Our New Year was spent at the hockey rink just down the hill from us.  Erik played in a High School tournament which Missoula hosted.  That meant parents had to volunteer for many jobs.  I learned to do the score sheet and run a penalty box!  We are never to old to learn new skills.  The tournament was great fun and Erik's team won the championship!  I will post a few pictures in a day or so.

Now I turn my attention to music...preparing for two Symphony concerts.  Our table is full of stacks of music waiting to be placed into folders: Bizet...Copland....Tschaikovsky...Beethoven...Holst...quite an variety!

...and I hear the weather man has predicted more snow tonight.  Let it snow!!!!