Christmas Cards

There's a first time for everything, right? This is the first year we've put our Christmas card online in a digital format. My first attempt was a total fail. So here we go again.

If I had mailed a little letter with our Christmas card this is what it might have said.

Albertsen Family Follies of 2010

Putting in a backyard for the first time and ordering a little too much rock only to realize you wish you had done a few things differently and now you want to remove some of the said rock and get more of a different kind.

Getting a dog.

Barbie doll cake.

Loosing the dog while on vacation in another state and not keeping his collar on at all times.

One year old climbing on everything...and falling off everything.

Tap shoes.

Four year old dance class.

Christmas lights on our house.

Attempting to post my Christmas card online.

This is just a highlight of the things we look back on and might do differently. 2010 has been a good year of family trips, visits from family and friends, the graduation from infancy to toddlerhood, and learning to read just to name a few.

We do our best to be aware of the blessings around us and are so grateful for the experiences we've had over the past twelve months. We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Christmas Spirit

Aint no party like a ward Christmas party, or something like that. We got it done early and mostly painlessly. They had two photo opportunities. One room was set up with a backdrop for family pictures and then when Santa came the kids could get a picture with him. Right before it was our turn for family pictures Noelle disappeared into the pack of kids that run amuck at all ward party function. She was soon returned crying with report that she fell. As usual we underplayed it and told her she was fine, but I had to give Boo the "look" because she had a bloody lip and we didn't need wailing to ensue right before we had to take a picture. Crisis averted from underplaying the situation. Thank goodness.

We sang some Christmas carols, had a couple narrators and other musical numbers. By far my favorite was the twin 13 year old boys that played an awesome piano duet. I hope my kids play the piano some day. After the program the special guest arrived. I think Noelle may have gone through the line more than twice. I only know of two times, but it could have been more. Look at her posing with Santa. So funny.

We weren't sure how Sis would do, but she didn't mind Santa. She told him a few things that only magic Santa ears would be able to interpret.

She even did well sitting with Santa alone, until he started creeping her out. I really couldn't blame her.

Santa looks like he's handing her off because she stinks or something. So funny. Hope you all make it to see Santa. And I especially hope that Santa brings Noelle the AquaSand. She wanted it for her birthday and we mysteriously forgot to buy it, so we told her to ask Santa for it. That was in March. She's been holding out hope for a long time and has yet to divert from that gift idea.