Christmas Past & Present

On Saturday night, Sean, Ryan and I went to the museum for their annual Christmas Past & Present display.  This has become an annual event for us, however the weather has not cooperated for that last couple of years.  Cold temperatures and winds kept us from the full experience.  We usually go on Sunday afternoon, but this year Sean really wanted to experience it at night.  Since Brandon isn't quite ready for this experience yet, we decided to preview it on Saturday night and return as a family on Sunday afternoon.  It was worth the two trips to see what life was like in 1890's Railroad Towne at night too.

 Visiting with Father Christmas in the town hall.

 Watching the blacksmith at work making a horseshoe.  The fire was HOT!  He told us it reaches 3000F!

 This tree was made of goose feathers and decorated with homemade decorations. (We'll make some tomorrow)

 In the boarding house the kids were making paper chains, (using flour and water paste) to decorate their tree.  Ryan wasn't keen on the idea of making a chain.

 After a few minutes he started to warm up to the idea, approaching the table.

 ... and then he was in!

 Sean showing off his addition to the tree.

 Ryan hanging his chain.

 I asked him to smile and this is what I got!

 Sunday afternoon Brandon and Daddy joined us.

Playing in the main building.

 Crossing the bridge, heading to Railroad Towne

 Sean in the Hardware store, notice the old fashioned sled against the wall.

 Next we went to the tinsmith's shop to make tinsicles.

 Ryan showing off his tinsicle

 Sean making his tinsicle

 Voila!

 Brandon made one too.. with a little help from Daddy

 Looking to the train depot in Railroad Towne

 Daddy and his boys heading towards to Silver Dollar Cafe

 Making ornaments

 Sean taking a break with a cookie and "the best" hot chocolate

 Ryan, happy to FINALLY get his cookie

 Brandon diving in.

 Ryan doesn't enjoy hot chocolate... so he chose root beer... he enjoyed the idea of it... but not the actual drinking of it!

The boys and Santa.  Sean let me know that this was not the real Santa.  He knew this because when he bent down he had to hold onto his beard.  He did say that he was one of Santa's best helpers though.  Brandon is not into the Santa thing yet.  He said ho ho ho to him and got within an arms length when he was offered a bell, but he was NOT getting on his knee or anywhere close!

School Christmas Concert

This past Wednesday, Sean and Ryan had their school Christmas concert.  It was Ryan's first Elementary school concert... he said his tummy felt funny.  I told him it was just butterflies and Sean explained what that meant and that he got them sometimes too.  Ryan then said "my tummy still feels funny and that's NOT it!"  He may or may not have been nervous, but he was definitely excited!  It was fun for us to have both of them in the same concert.  Ryan was in the first half K-1 and Sean was in the second half 2-3.   Sadly this was Sean's last Christmas concert...   He went out with a bang though! Great job boys.

 Sean waiting for the concert to start/

 Ryan is in the second row from the back, second from the left (in this pic)

 Kindergarten and Grade 1

 Look at that smile... you'd think he was smiling at my camera, but I was in the back.. I don't think he could see me.

 Sean's turn... front row centre... as always:)

 He looks like he could be on broadway!

After the concert we drove through  a few neighbourhoods.  The boys enjoyed looking at the lights and showing them to Brandon.  Once Brandon caught on he would look and say "Oh My!"  When we got home the boys enjoyed special Christmas cookies to celebrate a job well done.

Merry Christmas!!!