A Very Cool Yule

So, now that over a month has passed since Christmas, I figure it's about time that I post some pictures on the blog. To the good fortune of many, I am hoping to focus my time and yours on pictures in lieu of my typical rambling prose. Before proceeding , though, it would be appropriate to say that this Christmas was special as we were able to have Nikole's parents and her youngest brother over. We always enjoy their company, particularly during the Holidays.

As parents, Nikole and I continue to try to teach our kids about the true purpose of Christmas--to celebrate Christ's birth, life, and ultimately his sacrifice for us. This becomes tricky in the face of the the commercialization of Christmas. We are finding it difficult to both indulge our kids' excitement for tearing through wrapped gifts, while reminding them that receiving such presents should not be the focus of our celebration. Currently our balance leans a bit toward indulgence, and we continue to discuss ways to sway that balance in the future...

Here I am being the donkey in the Taggart Community Theatre rendition of The Nativity on Christmas Eve. The role came naturally to me.

Here is a group photo of all the actors in the nativity: Andy was a shepherd, Nate was Joseph, Haley was Mary, and Michael was a sheep.

Michael enjoyed his Thomas train set.

Nate's Santa gift was a K'nex roller coaster

Haley is pleased with her Littlest Pet Shop stuffed animal.

Andy is absorbed in his Leapster. Not pictured is the Nintendo Wii, which has quickly become our family's favorite toy.

Christmas is one of those unique occasions when sibling conflict abates, and brothers and sisters can express their true feelings to each other. Sort of.

I was able to take the day after Christmas off from work, and the weather was nice enough that we could go sledding at one of the big hills in town. It was a lot of fun, and we weren't run over by any snow boarding punks.