Not the fake tree this year.

None of us have ever had a real tree. It's not on my bucket list but apparently, it is on Scott's. I was convinced to be "part of the team from beginning to end...as the person who documents it on camera. Below is the general sequence of things.

Walking into the woods - in an area that allows domestic wood cutting.

The first tree we almost cut down.

The tree.

Strategizing how to secure it to the top of the van.

Tying the tree to the van.

It was tied in a way that required someone to climb out the window to untie the rope. Scott climbed into the trunk - which closes from the inside but doesn't open from the inside.

Ta-da.

The Annual Gingerbread House Decorating

Something we've enjoyed doing with good friends of ours every year:)

Christmas Pageant

A = inn keeper & wiseman; M = Mary; B = wiseman

December Performances

On the way to a violin graduation concert - passed Twinkles!

Piano recital, obviously.

Part of a drumline troupe.

An out-of-character appearance in the middle of a Christmas concert - to introduce "Mele Kalikimaka".

Aidan drew a sketch for each classmate - according to their favourite animal. This is one of 24+ sketches he produced.

Catching up on some fall things...

Carving pumpkins for halloween.

Sorting through pumpkin seeds.

Family pic - for our Christmas postcard this year. Taken in the back yard with a timer...

Maya's painting that was going into a competition. Missed the deadline (we were going by last year's deadline) and it was very sad. It's in our basement for the time being.

Can you see the "Happy 70 Years"? It went into a birthday card for my (Mel's) mom this October.

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Maya on the Grade 7 Girls' Vball team.