way back from Dec 5th to be exact– but aren’t Christmas posts unacceptable after New Year’s? I still have one more to sneak in tomorrow.
I promise I won’t bore you with reports of all 19(no lie!) of my kiddos’ holiday programs and recitals. But the Festival of Trees deserves it’s 5 minutes of glory. In truth, I’ve got a 17 year streak going at the festival– way back to the days when little Ben was drooling in his stroller.
First, we watch the performance– doesn’t Xander look happy?
And then we wander and find our favorite trees. Several trees are dedicated to children who have died and it get’s a bit emotional. Wiping tears from my eyes in front of a garden tree dedicated to a 3 year old girl the woman next to me said, “She’s mine. She was mine.” And then we both broke into full-fledged sobs and stood and hugged each other.
Next is the fudge depot. Hans lives for this. He talks about it incessantly through all of November.
spectacular gingerbread houses
the famous giant bubble
hamming it up in line
manicures
crafts– such luck to meet up with our friends, the Nielsons.
the balloon man
Truly, the only way to end such a glorious afternoon is with a light saber fight.
Farewell until next year!
Melissa
2 things –
I love the pic of Hans grinning away at the fudge counter! That is so funny! 🙂
In the manicures pic Xander looks JUST LIKE you! How awesome is that? 🙂
Okay, one more thing. Posts like these make me want to move to Utah and be your neighbor. I think you live in Utopia.
Jeanelle
that picture of your daughter with her hands up to her mouth is fantastic!!! I love the glee in her eyes.
Blue
next year you’ll have to let me know when you’re headed there. i think missing school for it would be a fun tradition for my kids too. we went the night before you this year. i just love it. twas my 2nd time ever. such a great cause. the pictures of people who’ve passed along choke me up too. so sad.
♥
Linn
I LOVE these pictures! My mom used to let me skip school every year to go to the Festival of Tree. Oh, happy memories.
katherine
That was sooooo FUN!!!!