Christmas Happenings Part 2

Wouldn't a stroll here be lovely?  Thank you for stopping by my blog today...here is part 2 of our Christmas Happenings here in Reno, Nevada...

Monday morning dawned cloudy with rain.  We had to cancel our plans for ice skating.  My husband and I went to the church in the morning to vacuum and set up the auditorium after the big program.

So we went swimming instead. :)

After swimming, my mom took the kids to our house and the adults went out for sushi.  Yum!

After sushi, we had to get some coffee. :)

Then we went to Scheel's and the outlet mall to do some window shopping and ride the ferris wheel. :)

Then home for a little Elf. :)

Tuesday, my other sister and BIL arrived about 7am.  They were able to get some rest where they were staying before they came over to our house for lunch.  Cream cheese potato soup and BLT's were on the menu for lunch. 

After lunch, we got ready for our big family photos that we had taken at 3pm at the UNR campus.  It was cold but thankfully the rain held off until we were done.

Then we drove to Carson City and had dinner at a Chinese buffet.

Everyone is all looking pretty from pictures! :)

Oh those crazies!

There's the lot of us. :)

Then it was off for coffee and the Polar Express train ride!

It was a lot of fun and a neat memory!

Christmas Happenings Part 1

It has been said that when you see a redbird that is a reminder of a loved one who has gone on...as I blog about our Christmas happenings the next few days...I will think about the redbird that reminds me of my Grandma.  The sweet memories of Christmas's past at her home there in the little town of Oakwood, Ohio.  I miss you deeply, Grandma.
Thank you for stopping by my blog today!  Here is part one of our Christmas happenings...

Saturday, we held our Christmas program practice at 10:00am.  We were there until around 3pm.  Then it was home to finish last minute cleaning and make enchiladas for dinner.  We left around 5:30pm to make a stop first at Sportsman's then off to the airport!  My brother-in-law and sister, Adam and Rachel, with their three kids, Kylee, Evan and Jack and my mom flew in from Chicago.

Cause you always have that one that won't smile!  Ha!

It was off to our house and dinner.  Enchiladas and corn.

Then we made cookies for our Christmas program and it was showers for all the kids.  

Sunday was a busy morning.  I prepared the meal for lunch - Marinated pork loin with hash brown casserole.  My sister and BIL took our daughters out for breakfast while we did our normal routine at church.

It was a great morning at church!

I enjoyed hearing my husband preach and tell the story of the Grinch.  He related it to Herod and Baby Jesus.  Great message!

In the afternoon, we had our lunch and then my sister and family went to their resort to check in.  My husband and I went back to the church to finish preparations for the program.  

Popcorn area.

Hot cocoa area.

Santa's area.

Cookie area.

Going over play lines...

And then it was time! 

Our daughters played during the prelude before the program began.

I don't know where they all fit - we broke our attendance record for a service!

Josh was our MC for the evening.

The choir did three numbers for the evening.

Then it was an original sketch by Casey Maxwell and my husband.

The children did a Nativity play for everyone. :)

Thank you to all the helpers who ran the Christmas fair!

After the intermission, we had our main play - "Not Such a Wonderful Life".  The cast worked many, many hours for this and it went wonderfully!  We had a great time doing it.

After the play, my husband gave a short message.  It was a wonderful evening!

After all the tear down and clean up, we went to Steak and Shake for a late dinner. :)

It was such fun to have my mom and sister and family there to experience our church with us.  Thank you guys!