some Christmas traditions

A few of our Christmas traditions:

The Nutcracker was great. 

Sam & Grace were excited to deliver presents to friends and neighbors.  I'm not sure if the neighbors were equally excited about our rendition of "Christmas Bells are Ringing" complete with jingle bells.   I wasn't feeling well, so at least they were spared my off-key attempts to join in.  I waited in the car.  

My parents were visiting from St. Louis this year for Christmas.  We took them to the zoo for our traditional live nativity.  Sam joined in with one of the kings at the end of the performance for a photo op.   We were recalling the Christmas Sam was 2 and Grace was 1 when we first saw the live nativity at the Richmond zoo.  Sam later told everyone that Jesus was real because he had SEEN him be born at the zoo!  

Grandma & Grandpa weren't here long, but managed to cram in some good spoiling while they were.  They're posing here with Sam & Grace after a last-minute train ride at the mall.  They left from the mall to drive home.  Grace started crying quietly.  Sam ran after them to give them one more hug and then came stomping back super mad.  I told him it was okay to be sad (he assured me that he wasn't sad), but when I put my hand on his shoulder he broke down sobbing.   Grandma & Grandpa will be missed!