The presents are unwrapped...

...and the garbage can is bulging with boxes, ribbons, wrapping paper, & bows! We had a wonderful day yesterday celebrating our Savior's birth, and the trash can proves it.

We gave M. "Guitar Hero III," Lou got a jewelry box with an iPod tucked away inside, and Millie received a much-desired Playmobil mansion. (It took forever for her to put it all together, even with help from her big bro. & sis.) There were a few items tucked inside everyone's stockings to add to the merriment. "Daddy" and "Mommy" received nice gifts from the Smithlings, too!

OH! The kids certainly don't want me to forget to add that they got to open up their presents of traditional "jammies" on Christmas Eve. It may not be an exciting gift, but it is necessary, as we have some "holey" sleepwear at this house. After opening the PJs, we attended a candlelight service. No, they didn't get to wear their "comfy wear" to church! That would require "holy" sleepwear, right?! ;-)

The best gift of all was getting to spend time together. We read Luke Chapter 2 aloud (which is a family tradition) before we opened our gifts. We then spent the afternoon playing games together and assembling that mansion. (We are happy to report that "Millie Manor" is fully constructed & ready for occupancy.)

It is our prayer that you all had a wonderful celebration, too.

We are looking forward to more celebrating tomorrow, as it is our 20th wedding anniversary. And then, of course, the start of a new year is just around the corner. This truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Merry CHRISTmas!

CHRISTmas 2007

The BEARD is gone...

"Dr. Stahlbaum" is back to being clean-shaven! Hooray! Now that the Nutcracker is over and done with, Mr. Smith has returned to his normal look -- no beard, no mutton chops, no goatee, no soul patch. (We did have to experiment with some of these looks as we took off the facial hair, but we opted to go with the minimalist approach.) See photo...

We are looking forward to a low-key weekend, as there are no rehearsals and no performances. I certainly hope that we can find something to do. Oh, yes! We have Christmas shopping to do, but not too much. Our Christmas cards have been signed, sealed, and delivered. (It's in the hands of the USPS now...) There is baking to do -- and sampling of the baked goods. That's the best part! This promises to be a fun and relaxing weekend. May you enjoy your weekend, too!

Nutcracker 2007

  

Thanksgiving, Family, and Nutcracker

There has been a whirlwind of activity the past weeks, so I have not had time to sit & compose my thoughts. Whew!

This morning, Mom & Dad left for Indiana, & Mr. Smith's mom left for Oklahoma. (The word is that all of the "parentals" have now returned to their respective homes safely!)

Let's see... what have we been up to? We had such a nice Thanksgiving Day in Vancouver, Washington, at "AJ's" home. Flying certainly beats driving for 10 hours on I-5 any day! The weather was ideal, the food was fantastic, and the company was the best. We returned late Friday evening so we would be back in time for (you guessed it) Nutcracker rehearsal on Saturday. After rehearsing on both Saturday and Sunday, we got back into the work & school weekly routine for a few days. All of the grandparents arrived in Roseville mid-week. UJ & AJ both "flew" into town, too. (One by air, the other by car... UJ makes really good time behind the wheel of the Green Machine, so it's almost as good as air travel!)

Mr. Smith is having a great time with his role of Dr. Stahlbaum (Clara's father) this year. Despite the fact that no one in the "civilian world" really loves his new facial "hairdo," the beard really fits well with his stage persona. (He will be shaving after the final performance.) Miss Millie is a "party girl," Lou is in the Chinese & Waltz of the Flowers dances, and M. is taking part in his 4th N-cracker as the official fog man. He has many other backstage responsibilities, but operating the fog machine is his favorite task. M. "learned the ropes" a couple of years ago, so he spends part of his time on the catwalk high above the stage raising & lowering various backdrops, scrims, and curtains. There are other chores he takes care of, too, like making it snow at just the right time in the "Snowflake" scene. It's all fun...

AJ, UJ, Cousin L., all three grandparents, and I attended the Saturday matinee performance of the N-cracker. In a word... WONDERFUL! (I'll post a few photos for your viewing pleasure.) After the show, we enjoyed a wonderful (not-so-healthy!) meal from Claim Jumper -- prime rib, chicken fried steak, ribs, fried chicken, etc. -- and we also had birthday cake to help Grandma Smith celebrate her 86th b-day a little on the belated side. (Better late than never?)

For now, everything's back to "normal" until Friday night when we get to do it all over again. (There are four shows this weekend. Wheee!) We do enjoy doing this production together, but it can make for a hectic few weeks. Thankfully, Christmas vacation is just around the corner!