The Nutcracker Ballet

Papa Al & Schaeffer Jo ready for the big preformance

MeMa Laurie & Papa Al waiting for the show to begin

Schaeffer on the Sugar Plum Parade

Schaeffer and a bon-bon

Schaeffer and one of the angels

(who she asked if she could borrow her outfit for her school play)

'tea' &  'candy cane'

 one of the chinese dancers from the 'tea' segment

 

                                                                        Schaeffer and a solider

 a mouse from the Mouse King

Clara & the Nutcracker

Clara

Clara signing SJ's 'clara' ornament

We had the great joy of taking Schaeffer to the Nutcracker Ballet on Saturday. She had been looking forward to it for weeks--and it did not dissapoint. The live symphony music was amazing and the dancers were outstanding. (You know I was taken by the costuming.) 

After the performance, we went on the 'sugar plum parade' backstage, meeting the dancers and seeing the stage first hand. 

It's a day that we'll not soon forget, the anticipation and excitment in Schaeffer, and her total captivation by the graceful dancers tip-toeing across the stage. 

Let it snow!

It seems this is one of the latest first snows I can remember--and Schaeffer has been desperate to watch the first flakes fall. Needless to say, when we woke Friday morning to a wintry white world, she was beyond excited.

Enjoy the pictures.

Trimming the tree at MeMa Laurie's house

the 'kid' ornaments waiting to be carefully placed on the tree

 Schaeffer Jo selecting the perfect spot for her ornaments

hanging them with care

big helper Tobi

 the tree trimmed with not a branch to spare!

Each year, our family gathers at my mom & dad's house the weekend after Thanksgiving to put up the Christmas tree, decorate Christmas cookies and spend time together getting ready for the Christmas season. 

This year it an especially special weekend, as we were able to bless my parents by getting out their decorations and putting up the tree, as neither of them could physically lift the weight of the tree or the ornaments out of storage. We enjoyed a great evening of being together, sharing memories of Christmases past, and looking to the future with great joy and hope.