Santa Lucia

(James' coloring page)

We were asked to host the annual Santa Lucia gathering this year,

and in so doing, I have a greater appreciation for those who host

it year after year.

We learned a little in the process,

and had a good time.

One of my favorite parts

was coloring Swedish pictures with the kids,

and helping them make Swedish heart decorations.

We missed having Christine with us,

as she had a color guard competition.

The rest of the kids were good sports,

and donned their Santa Lucia attire,

yet another year.

What a great bunch of Swedes!

It was nap time (or past it) for Jalen Andrew,

so he wasn't too humored by the whole parade.

Thank goodness for big sisters!

Rebekah, your help was appreciated more than you know.

Star Boys - Look at them shine!

*****

Christine joined us after our Santa Lucia fest,

and accompanied us to our ward Christmas party.

She's beaming, not because of the gingerbread house,

but because she and the rest of the girls on color guard

will be performing in the Fiesta Bowl Parade!

They won the competition today!!!

Joseph and a bunch of other boys worked hard on their gingerbread house.

Look at all those army guys, especially the ones

falling into the hollowed out cookie tower.

If you look really closely, you'll see army guys bleeding frosting.

Jalen Andrew was petrified of Santa Claus.

The Bishop stepped in to help,

so that I could finally get a picture of Jalen Andrew

and the big jolly man.

(Sorry I caught you with a funny look, honey,

but I had to snap the picture quick before

Jalen Andrew began wailing).

James was jolly on the spot,

followed Santa to his seat,

and became the first to sit on his lap.

*****

After a very full Saturday

(see the above details)

and some emotional exhaustion

(don't worry, I won't explain that one)

I just lacked the energy Saturday night to make the saffron buns,

and besides, the gingerbread cookies weren't decorated either.

We figured Erik had bishopric meetings in the morning anyway,

so we skipped our early morning Santa Lucia tradition.

I felt guilty the rest of the day.

So Sunday afternoon we made saffron buns, and decorated

the very few gingerbread cookies we had.

Then we dressed up, and bearing Swedish meatballs, saffron buns,

gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate, we headed to the church,

to interrupt tithing settlement,

and give Erik a little something to eat.

So this year we did things a little different,

but it was still fun.