Mon. Dec. 23, 2013 - the Nativity, the Grinch and the Packers

 The chaotic pre-show scene as 21 4-year-olds dressed up as the Holy Family, animals, angels and kings

 Micaela checked out the backdrop before the play began

 The preschoolers and their 4th grade buddies singing "Silent Night" to start the show

 Our little donkey followed Mary and Joseph as they looked for a place to sleep

 Then dutifully knelt down by the manger

 Such an adorable donkey!

The donkey and Gabriel (her friend Anna)

 Chad took the day off so the whole family saw the play

 Chad smoked 2 pork shoulders…it took 16 hours so the pictures of amazing pulled pork are further down

 Joe came to visit us! He flew from SoCal into a snowstorm in Green Bay

 Breakfast with the Grinch

 Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch were on hand as the book was read to the kids

 Both girls were enthralled by the story they've read many times

 Then it was time for soccer!

 Micaela isn't sure what to think about her shin guards

 The Building for Kids feels very wintery

 The pork is ready!

 As usual Chad did an amazing job and it fell right off the bone

 Paul, Joe's brother and a Steeler fan, drove up from IL to go to the game; the girls happily wore gear from all teams

It was a very confusing weekend

 Mommy Bear and her little cubs

Despite the bitter Packers-Bears rivalry Joe and Jen remain close friends

 We're trying to raise the kids right and lead by example

 Joe and Paul tailgating before the game, wearing many layers as they prepare to sit outside for over 3 hours in a snowstorm

 Chad and Steve; it was great football weather

 Joe, Jen, Paul, Steve, Donna, Anna and Craig about to enter the gates of Lambeau Field

 Joe and Paul as Aaron Rodgers photobombs

 True love

 Our group on the upper deck

 That's right, I wore my Bears gear to a Steelers-Packers game (but kept my sweater zipped up most of the time because I didn't want to be forced into the weather from the amazing box seats we were very lucky to get)

The girls: Donna, Jen and Anna

 The boys: Craig, Steve and Chad

Our tickets allowed us to go onto the roof and get some really fantastic views of Lambeau filled to capacity at 80,000

 The crew

 We agreed that it was our best NFL experience ever

 But we are still Bears fans

 Of course there were come crazy shirtless guys in the crowd

 We brought home some gear for the girls; Riley loved it

 But Micaela was less impressed

Joe brought home some Packers snow

And some other souvenirs

First trip to the sledding hill this year

 Micaela preferred to play on the playground

 We took Riley to her first movie in a theater, "Frozen"

The last few days have been even busier than usual so I thought I'd add an extra post since I'm sure we'll have a few pictures to blog about on Christmas. On Friday Riley's preschool class performed "The Miracle," a very sweet version of the Nativity. Each child discussed with the teachers then chose their own costume and Riley was a donkey. While most girls wanted to be Mary or an Angel, Riley had her own ideas. I love that she is her own, confident person. The kids practiced for weeks and while there were a few with stage fright, it was absolutely adorable. Riley made a very cute donkey and performed her part very well. They sang songs with their 4th grade buddies (each preschooler has an older student who spends time with them on certain days) then we all enjoyed some cookies and punch afterwards. It was a wonderful reminder of the reason for Christmas. I really appreciate our Catholic preschool.

Friday afternoon my very good friend, Joe Fritsch, few in from southern California to visit. His flight was delayed due to a snowstorm so, although he also grew up in Normal, IL and has lived in MI and MN, it was an extreme change in weather for him. After so many years of spending Thanksgiving with Joe then going camping together in Big Sur we have really missed him and I'm so glad he was able to take some time out of his holiday plans to spend a few days with us. Of course, he did have an ulterior agenda. Joe is an avid Packers fan and had tickets for his first trip to Lambeau Field on Sunday. His brother, Paul is a Steelers fan and Joe had convinced him to go to the Steeler-Packers game too. Chad and I love football and while we were interested, we don't like either of these teams and weren't too excited to pay to sit outside in Green Bay for over 3 hours at the end of Dec. so we declined. However, at the last minute we and some other friends were able to get tickets to a box so we had a fun group to join us in tailgating and seeing this historic stadium. It snowed the entire game but the stadium was still filled to capacity, 80,000. Our tickets gave us access to the roof and we really enjoyed going up there and getting a unique view. The roar of the crowd was deafening; the Packers fans are truly dedicated. While we will never like our arch rivals the Green Bay Packers, it was our favorite NFL experience. 

On Monday Chad and the girls burned a little energy on the sledding hill. Riley loves playing in the snow but Micaela asked to come home soon after they arrived. She doesn't like walking on the snow and getting cold. That afternoon while Micaela napped we took Riley to her first movie in a theater, "Frozen." As the lights when down she said, "Wow, this is much bigger than our television at home." She ate popcorn and laughed at the movie and had a great time, right up to the climax where the heroine is frozen. Then she started sobbing so loudly we thought we'd have to take her out of the theater. We calmed her down with Reeces Pieces and she was fine once she saw Anna was OK. It was another wonderful parenting memory, to experience a theater for the first time with our little girl and see the strong emotions evoked by the movie. Also, a great movie, we highly recommend it!