25 days left - Polar Express

I asked the kids why they loved watching the Polar Express and why it had to be a part of the countdown.  Cambelle said that the movie was magical and J.T. and Sara both said that when we watched it felt like the beginning of the holiday.  I have to agree with them.  I totally look forward watching it but I also love the popcorn and m&m's.  

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!!

So once again we are at the beginning of my favorite season.  I have hopes of recording this year a little better than last year.

We started again with a Christmas breakfast.  I think the kids were a little surprised since it was only the 29th of November but there were things I wanted to do and I knew that there were going to be days in the month of December that were taken with extra activities, so I wanted to take advantage of the weekend after Thanksgiving.

As the kids get older our conversations are more interactive and quite funny.  We laughed and talked about the things that we had done last year during the year and the best part of the countdown.  When we were done eating we got down to business and opened the envelope that was on the table.  In it was tickets to the Forgotten Carols.  I have wanted to see it for a long time and incorporate it into the Christmas countdown but it is always here in November and we have always started in December. So this year I decided to live on the edge, (how sad that the edge for me is simply a couple of days in November :) and start the countdown early.

Jersey totally wanted in on the action.

We got ready and left a little early so we could get our Christmas shopping done.

We divided and conquered with our cell phones in hand to let everyone know when we were done. And then we met at the car, shopping - check!  LOVE IT.

We headed to the auditorium and found our seats, and as the lights dimmed I became very excited.  I love Michael McLean and I was not disappointed.  The music was beautiful, the story inspiring and the feeling a little like being home and safe.  At the end of the performance Michael McLean came back on stage and talked for a little bit and then sat at the piano.  He sang "We Can Be Together Forever Someday" and the audience joined in.  He reminded us that as we sang it we could think of anyone close to us that wasn't able to be there with us.  Of course I thought of my mom and dad.  I think the kids were all thinking a little of Grandpa Nelson as well.  So the tears flowed and love filled our hearts.  Then he asked us to sing Silent Night.  Cute Cambelle was sitting next to me and began to sing, then it became silent and I could here her sniffle.  I leaned down to ask her if everything was okay and she said, "I just feel the spirit so much."  There couldn't be a better way to start this season  than being reminded of the gift that is encompassed in the life of Christ and feeling it so sure and complete in our hearts.

The kids all agreed that tonight was a "do again."