The CROFT CLAN

Christmas 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH LOVE!

The kids got new books for Christmas, and minutes after opening them, we were ALL reading!

(Xander's book came with a music player)

Christmas at the Croft House

All eighteen grandkids!

The youngest, Cameron, played the older Jesus, whom the Wise Men really visited. (Though we still had to try him out in the manger!)

Alexander toted this stuffed lamb everywhere, trying to ride it!

Our kids with their Great Grandma Berneda Croft!

We had a little nativity with some shepherds (including Zachary and Xander) in robes, hand towels, and neckties; Ellie was the Angel; Baby Yowan was a lamb; and since we only had one girl, Luke volunteered to portray Mary. They had a fun time! Andrew sported his Santa hat during the party.

After the Nativity, Santa came for a visit. All the kids got in line for their chance to sit on his lap...

...Even Mom took a turn!

A wonderful surprise for Christmas this year was a rare visit from Jen, Sara's foster sister, who had lived with the Smith family for a year. It was so great to see her again after 7 years!

My parents got another surprise visit - from the city Mayor and his wife, who presented them with an award for best Christmas decor for my dad's outdoor Nativity - very nicely lit at night.

Nutcracker Ballet

Zachary performed in Green River's 24th annual Nutcracker Ballet. He played a little soldier who marched around onstage, "chasing" the mice away. In his last scene he'd follow the other soldiers as they carried their fallen on stretchers. For the last performance, he got to play one of the fallen soldiers because the littlest soldier had fallen asleep! The ballet did a total of five performances in one week. It was long hours for Zach, but Mom provided snacks and games. Since he was only in the first half of the ballet, Zachary got to watch the second half of the matinee performance with Mom. He enjoyed it so much that he didn't want to leave for curtain call.

The cast and Director

Zachary with his friend, Liesel, who played the Littlest Clown (and a mouse).

After a performance with G-ma Croft, Mother Buffoon, a Mouse Baron, and a Russian.

Alexander spent a lot of time with Mom and Zach during rehearsals. He always liked to see the Dragon, as it "waited" offstage.

Visiting Zachary near his dressing room during Intermission.

Makeup!

Zachary's G-ma and G-pa Croft presented him with a Nutcracker of his own. Mom painted a Nutcracker ornament to hang on the Christmas tree.

December Activities

Andrew's 1st Piano Recital: He played two Christmas songs - and very well, I might add!

Zach's preschool visited the fire station - Xander joined in the fun.

Elizabeth joined her troup on the Girl Scout float for the Downtown Christmas Parade. Brrrrr!

The Girl Scouts had a flag ceremony - it took 3 girls to carry the heavy pole, but they did an awesome job!

Alexander and Zachary visited with Santa at the library (while Ellie and Andrew watched the Polar Express at their school). [Below:] Miss Wyoming handed out candy canes to the kiddies.

Clifford the Big Red Dog and REAL Dogs

Our local libraries hosted a Love of Reading Week (in mid-November) where the kids met Clifford and each got a new book to keep. They also got to meet the library "reading" dogs who have been in the paper a number of times. These two dogs visit the libraries off and on, and kids get a chance to read to them. My kids and I spent a lot of time petting them, wishing we could have one of our own. But, alas, Steven's allergies are quite bad around any dogs we've held, thinking we might just get one of our own. Now the kids are asking for things like lizards, snakes...