THE FORGOTTEN CAROLS

Several years ago my in-laws took us to see the musical, Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean.  I loved it!  Now, close to twenty years later, I got tickets for our family to go to see the same musical.  They tour from city to city, and were scheduled to perform in Las Vegas on December 21st.

It was every bit as good as I remembered.

I copied this recap from one of the many websites which talks about the Forgotten Carols.
http://artisanct.com/event/the-forgotten-carols

A straight-laced nurse is assigned to care for an elderly patient who has a few “psychological problems”. He calls himself “Uncle John” and believes he’s been alive for 2,000 years and has actually met people from the Christmas story that have been “forgotten,” i.e. the innkeeper that turned Joseph and Mary away; the shepherd who fell asleep and missed everything and others. He’s chronicled his encounters with a collection of “forgotten carols” which he sings as he hangs the ornaments he’s collected over the centuries that accompany each unique Christmas song. If only these songs could touch the part of his nurse’s heart that she has long since forgotten.

And here is my Favorite Song, performed by Jeff McLean, Michael McLean's son.

If you have not seen The Forgotten Carols, and it travels to your area, I highly recommend.

We took all our kids, ages 9 through 16, and they all enjoyed it.

It was such a wonderful way to start th

Henderson WinterFest Parade 2013

This year Niko was the only one who was not marching down Water Street during the Henderson Winter parade.

 

Markus and Kai marched with Foothill High School Marching Band

 

 

 

Maija marched with her elementary school Cheer Team.

She is all decked out, ready to go and march.

 

 

Niko participated with Jason and I from the sidelines. 

Cheering, when he was not occupied by his DS.

 

 

 

 

 

MARCHING BAND COMPETITION

I was looking for something else on YouTube and came across this video clip of the Foothill High School Marching Band competition performance.

The season ended already a month ago, but I don't think I posted this earlier...so enjoy!

COMMERCIAL FOR A MARKET DAY

The fifth graders, Niko's grade, have a large project called a Market Day at school.

 

They have to group up, or work as individuals. 

They need to do market research, select a product to make, advertise it, make a commercial and in the end they will have the actual Market Day, where they sell all their products (with their special elementary school money).

 

Niko and his friend decided to make Survival Bracelets.

This is the commercial they made for their bracelets.

It is quite entertaining.

 

 

DRESS LIKE A SNOWMAN!

The last week of school is full of excitement.

 

There is a Pajama Day, Holiday Head Gear Day, Ugly Sweater Day, you name it.

 

This would be a Dress Like a Snowman Day

 

 

 

 

HOLIDAY CONCERTS

Sure sign of the Christmas Season...

the many concerts, and events at schools.

It sure puts you to a Christmas mood.

Markus and Kai had their Holiday Concert on Monday, the 16th of December. 

They both looked super handsome on their tuxedos, and sounded even more fabulous on the stage.

Here is Markus playing with the Wind Symphony.

Enjoy the Sleigh Ride.

Markus plays trumpet in the lower left corner, third from the bottom.

Kai plays trombone in the Symphonic Band.

Unfortunately I did not get a video from their performance.  But they were amazing as well!

BRRRR......BABY IT'S COLD!

We had some freezing temperatures few weeks before Christmas.

 

Usually we have a pool pump running during the night, to prevent the pool from freezing...but I had been cleaning the pool, and forgot to turn the pump back on.

 

Well, this is what we woke up to.

It was quite exciting for the kids.

We don't see ice too much around here...except in the freezer.

 

 

GRANDMA'S TRADIONAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE DATE

Niko and Maija had a grandma date with grandma Paula.

 

End of the day they returned home with these delicious looking houses.

Now if Markus and Kai could only stay away from then and not nibble them to all gone...

 

 

 

 

 

 

THANKSGIVING FEAST

We love the Thanksgiving day.

 

No school, no work.

 

Lots of family fun and good food.

And maybe even some napping.

 

We love to spend time with our family.

 

I am so grateful for my family in Finland, and here in U.S.

I could not had been born to a better family,

and being married to a better family!

Double the blessings!

 

 

Let the feast begin!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ring Toss to Reindeer Antler

 

 

 

 

 

 

NIKO'S END OF THE SEASON SOCCER PARTY

Jason wrapped up another successful season of soccer for Niko's team. 

They had some losses, some wins, and some ties. 

All and all, a great season.

The plan was to have the party in the park. 

A soccer game kids vs. parents, pizza and cake.

 

And then it rained...three days in a row...it never rains here in desert, but apparently it does when there is an outdoor activity planned.

 

We had to move the party to our house.  No soccer, but lots of cake, ice cream, and most importantly...trophies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAIJA AND MAD HATTERS

Maija's soccer team, the Mad Hatters had a second great soccer season.

 

During the tournament last weekend, Maija scored her first goal EVER! 

We could not had been more excited for her. 

Even though her team lost, in our opinion the game was a great success!

 

While taking a break from a soccer during winter, Maija made the competitive cheerleading team, which will keep her busy for next several months.

 

 

OLD OTTOMAN GETS A MAKEOVER

Our old ottoman was in a need of a facelift.

It was worn and dark.

 

 

I found this lovely fabric from a local home fabric store.  It was only 6.99/yard.

 

I spent just couple of hours making this slip cover for my ottoman.

I love the lighter shade and how it ties together our white book shelves to the rest of the room.

 

Best of all. 

 

I can easily remove it, and throw it into a washer.

 

 

KAI, THE MOST IMPROVED!

We joined Kai to his end of the season high school fall sports banquet!

This was to celebrate and recognize all the students who did Fall sports at Foothill high school.

 

Kai's fall sport was the cross country.  

He had a great season.  He started a little slow, but toward the end he really improved his time, running in the Varsity team, as a Freshman, finishing second fastest of the school, in his last two races.

 

This night he received a plaque recognizing him as the Most Improved Cross Country Runner. 

Go Kai!!!

 

 

JAZZ ON, MARKUS

Markus had Varsity Jazz Band tryouts couple of weeks ago. 

 

He really, really, really wanted to make the Varsity jazz Band.

 

 

He had a day off from school and spent a large portion of the day to preparing for his next day day try out.

 

Few days later he called me from school. Super Excited!  Not only did he make the Varsity Band, but he made the first chair.

 

The lead trumpet!

 

 

 

We are so proud of him.

 

And can't wait for some great jazz concerts!

 

TREE STUMPS MAKE GREAT END TABLES

Wood is very precious here is desert.  You have to pay a top dollar for it.

 

About a year ago I was walking our dog, Scooby in a desert, and I noticed that somebody had dumped several pieces of cut down tree trunks in the middle of nowhere.

 

I called Jason and he came and helped me to haul them over to our yard.

 

I had all kinds of visions what I was going to be making out of them.  My visions did not entirely come true...since most of the stumps ended up being seats around our fire pit.

 

However, I got ambitious one day, and removed lots of bark and sanded these two pieces smooth, and turned them into end tables to our kids' little basement reading nook.  Perfect, if I say so myself :) 

 

 

ROSES ARE RED....

It is the time of year when the weather is wonderful, and roses are blooming. 

 

Once I go outside to do yard work, I have to force myself to get back inside to do chores inside the house. 

After a hot and long summer, an autumn is such a treat here!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

MY GARDEN

I have finally figured out that it works better to garden during the fall than in spring here in desert. 

We finally have own lettuce to eat daily, herbs to our meals, and hopefully still tomatoes and cucumbers to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We recently had a mock emergency drill in our ward (congregation).  Basically, we were asked not to go to store for 5 days, and see how we would 'survive'. This was announced suddenly, so we were not able to go and stock up before hand.  My favorite thing was to be able to go to garden and get fresh lettuce, herbs, and even pomegranates.

We were set!