{Insert Snow Here}

Merry Christmas everyone!! Such a beautiful day out. Even though there isn't any snow . . .

Loving that I can sleep in this week, even if it was on the couch. :)

To me, this Christmas was very much about Tradition, both new and old.

The old traditions will stay around for a long time. We always watch "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and "The Muppets Christmas Carol" Two of my favorite Christmas movies, ever. Another great tradition is the Gingerbread boy baking. Gingerbread boys used to be frosted really simply, but now we always make them look like our favorite movie Characters. Mr. Darcy, Phantom of the Opera, and Doctor Who.

New traditions probably won't stick around long . . such as eating soup by the fire, and lawn games. Since the weather was so nice we sat around a campfire and ate "little meatball soup" (that's suppose to be a dutch word, but I'm not going to attempt to spell it!) We got several weird looks from the neighbors, but hey, what's new? If its this nice out again next year, we're gonna have to do it again.

So, first winter in a long time that there wasn't any snow. That's weird. And I'm starting to miss it, I want to go sledding!! There's this snowman I want to make, a couple people I want to throw snowballs at. (you know who you are) Sadly, right now there is nothing to do but wait patiently for it to not be 50 degrees anymore. That and sleep in. ;)

Hallelujah King Kong

This week has been centered around studying for exams, writing papers, watching Schindler's List, and most importantly, (at least for the choir teacher) the Christmas Concert.

I just got back from an hour and forty-five minute concert, and the last part of the Hallelujah Chorus is still ringing in my head. That was the first time I have actually sung that famous song. Don't get me wrong here, I've heard it over and over, hummed it millions of times, but never sang it as two combined choirs, plus audience members, the string orchestra, and band. All together, it was beautiful sound, even if we all wanted to just go home .  . .myself included.

It's almost Christmas. That means loads of Chocolate and hopefully peanut butter. (there better be peanut butter!!!) Seeing family, school break, no more exams, sleeping in, and possibly even snow. It means going to church and everyone is smiling because they just can't help it. Jesus was born! How can people not sing Joy to the World, and Hark the Harold Angel, Away in a Manger, and of course, Go Tell it on the Mountain. That was a favorite of everyones in Sunday School way back when . . .we all wanted to sing (shout) that one.

I'm going to show you my favorite christmas songs. They are both on the funny side . .but that's cool. Enjoy them.

This one is Good King Kong Looked Out. KnightSounds sang this one tonight. By the end of the song everybody was laughing and the applause was just as thunderous as on the video. Way to go KnightSounds!!

This is a some what humorous version of the Hallelujah Chorus. Gotta love those Silent Monks!! (and sadly, Unity did not sing it this way . .. we stuck with the traditional way.)

This last one is still the Hallelujah chorus. But it's a flash mob, in a food court, which basically means it is awesome. These are some very talented singers!

Okay, so enjoy. Have a merry-almost-Christmas.

Snow.

Okay. Deep breath. Stop shaking. Stop staring at the snow falling from above and pretend its warm for just a little while. Okay, now you can start.

First of all, Happy 1st Birthday Analiese!! Such a special sweetheart.

Second, its snowing. Well, duh! you say. Of course its snowing out, thank you for stating the obvious. The first few moments of snowfall was rather beautiful, white, quite, slow, peaceful, but that only lasts until you realize the snow is not melting when it falls to the ground like a good little snowflake should do. Nope, this snow is here to stay. But, I wasn't to bummed yet, I have a pretty sweet idea for a snowman that I want to make when we get enough snow. But I'll have to wait for awhile yet.

Last night I went to LeMars to meet up with one of my best friends for Ice Cream. I was late, but I had to practice before leaving and I got a little carried away . . .good music does that to me. She was worried that I crashed, but I told her "I'm a great driver, don't worry!" But, on my way there I was a little paranoid about my car burning to ash. Dad told a story about a bus driver who smelled smoke and stopped his car, got out to check, and minutes later the passenger side erupted in flames. Okay, great. Note to self: Check for the smell of smoke every ten minutes to make sure car does not burn to ground with you inside of it. Am I being to paranoid? okay, maybe a little . . .you can thank the scary drivers ed videos we were forced to watch last summer.

But, back to today, and the evil snow. I have NEVER driven in snow before. That being said, I was a little nervous on my way to and from the library. I was going really slow, not caring about the drivers who where behind me, most likely rather annoyed with me. Came to a stop sign, okay, so far so good . . a little skidding, but nothing dangerous or scary yet. Took the turn. Not good. Started skidding, sliding, and up the curb we went. Oh great. Wonderful. Fantastic. All the images of the crash videos we watched came flooding into my brain. I didn't hit the sign that was about two feet to my right, and none of the cars that where on the road at the time, and everyone was okay, including my Camera. Slowly back off the curb, and proceed forward, REAL SLOW. In the end, my car doesn't have so much as a scratch on it. My camera is in one piece, and nothing/no one got hurt. Only problem? My wheels and steering wheel don't line up quite right anymore . . .oops. Here's hoping Dad know's how to fix that and it doesn't happen again.

And for goodness sake, Drive safely out there!