Christmas 2010~

Always seems like we're still eating Thanksgiving leftovers when the Christmas season swings into full throttle! A local radio station(101.1FM) has been playing non-stop Christmas music since early November, my house has been decorated since the 2nd week of November & my Christmas Tree went up the day after Thanksgiving. Another early December reminder that Christmas is fast-approaching is the annual PEO Christmas Tea. Held at Gate-n-Green in Broomfield on the first Sunday of December, this mother-daughter event has become a much-anticipated tradition. We eat delicate finger sandwiches, sample yummy desserts, and sip cinnamon/orange or mint tea while visiting with one another, catching up, and intorducing loved ones. We finish up the afternoon by singing Christmas Carols always lead by my dear friend & fellow PEO sister, Anna Jordan-Helser, and all of our children/grandchildren.

Mom & Katelyn getting ready to leave for the PEO Tea~

Anna, Katelyn, & all the young ladies singing Christmas Carols~

What a ham!

We are blessed to have beautiful choral music at our church. We have a more traditional choir, contemporary choir, a hand-bell choir, and of course a children's choir. This Christmas the children sang in front of the congregation and Katelyn was asked to sing a solo. At 6 1/2, it's understandable that she would be nervous, but she did a beautiful job! When she finished singing, there was hardly a dry eye in the sanctuary. Katelyn was heartily congratulated by everyone. As a mother, I was overwhelmed with pride.

We decided to attend BNC's production of The Nutcracker Ballet again this year. Mike was feeling under the weather, so Anna was able to join us! We had a lovely time.

After the performance, the children were invited on stage to learn a few steps from the ballet.

Katelyn was also able to meet several cast members & get their autographs!

My mom wasn't feeling well enough to visit us for Christmas, so we took a little Christmas cheer to her! While visiting Grandma Julie, we were able to visit Santa at the mall in Scottsbluff.

And Mrs. Claus~

Katelyn & Grandma Julie~


We were blessed to have my father visiting again at Christmas. Since my dad retired, he sets his own schedule & can visit us more often! He was able to join us for Christmas Eve service so he could see his granddaughter perform in the children's choir!

Christmas morning at the Rajewich household. I just love this picture-it's so quintessential kid, "what did Santa bring me?"

Ahhh..

"Look Mom!"

There's a kitty hiding in there~

Of course Santa didn't forget Grandpa!

Grandpa putting Katelyn's new house together~

A house just my size from Santa that can be colored or painted~

Me & my girl~

During my dad's visit at Christmas time, we took Katelyn to The Denver Children's Puppet Theater & saw a production of "The Elves & the Shoemaker".

Of course we had to put on a puppet show of our own(involving dog puppets-what else?!)

Grandpa & Katelyn~


We also took Grandpa to "The Wildlife Experience" museum in Parker, CO during his visit. We had a fantastic time exploring the exhibits and learning about wildlife. The museum had a miniature Santa's village set up for the kids to explore as well.