Christmas!

 We had a grand time at Christmas, especially watching Caylie experience so many things for the first time.  She was SO excited to help wrap presents for her family and SO excited to make cut-out cookies and SO excited to hold a candle at the Christmas Eve service, and SO excited to drive around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights.  And much more, haha!  Needless to say, she had a great time.  She's learned all about baby Jesus, and can find him in any manger scene.  I told her so many times that Christmas was about Jesus, that on Christmas Eve, when people would ask her what tomorrow was, she would say, "Jesus!"  So cute.  :)

The day before the day before Christmas, otherwise known by Justin as "Christmas Adam."  We were walking in Park Meadows Mall, and came across this funny guy.

Justin has worn this hat every day, no matter where we are, since the day we put the tree up, November 29.  I've forgotten what his head looks like.

The day before Christmas, also known to everyone as "Christmas Eve"!
Keelan was a great brother, and helped Caylie make cut-out cookies while I was working on the other kinds.

Brittany and Sammie.

Our tree on Christmas Eve, ready for the morning.

Christmas Day!

On Christmas Eve, we told Caylie all day that Christmas was tomorrow!  So when she got up on Christmas, she was so happy, and said over and over, "It's Christmas tomorrow!"

The beginning of the opening of presents.

Caylie's first present opening!

Keelan's new jacket.

Bee-doh, bee-doh, bee-doh!

One of the things Justin asked for was a prism, after we learned about them in science.

Me and my headless child.

Brittany and Caylie.

 Taylor's new game.  He and Keelan are on a quest to beat Dad.

Chef Brad.

Jim and Brad playing some football on the Playstation.

Caylie practicing her drumming while wearing a tutu.  

Merry Christmas, friends!

Keelan's Christmas Band Concert

Keelan's school band and orchestra had their Christmas concert on Thursday night.  It was fun time with family and friends, and especially with Caylie yelling, "Kee-an!" across the auditorium when she saw him come in.  (Not during the music, fortunately!)  Keelan really enjoys learning the trumpet and we are proud of the progress he's made this year.

I meant to get a photo of him in his suit, but forgot, so here are a couple he took of himself, haha.  (He just saw this and said, "You're using THAT picture?)

Isn't this a great tie?  I got in on clearance at Target several years ago, but Jim never wore it.  Keelan snagged it up when he saw it.

The Gateway High School combined band and orchestra.

And here is a video of the band and orchestra playing "Sleigh Ride"!  You gotta hear this!

 After the concert we got this photo of the band director, Mr. Gonzalez, with the three Altman kids he's had (Brittany, Taylor and Keelan.)  He's retiring in a year or so, so he won't have any more!

Christmas Program

This was not a big Christmas program.  It was just the kids at our Wednesday Bible Study performing the songs they had learned this fall, standing in the front of the room where the Bible Study meets.  But it was Caylie's first program ever, so of course I had to video it.

She was SO into it.  She danced and sang and put on a show.  All the people around me were talking about how cute and funny she was.  It is amazing to me how comfortable and free she is with us, and in any situation that we put her in.  She trusts that she is safe and can be herself.  Adoption is redemption, my friends.

Here are a couple of songs that they did.  Caylie's in the front and Justin is behind her.

This is the group of children in the Bible Study program.  They have classes for all the kids, including the older home-schooled ones.  It has been a real blessing for Justin, Caylie, and me.

AAC Adoption Christmas Party

Yesterday we went up to Berthoud for our adoption agency's annual Christmas party.  Caylie was happy to get dressed up in her "pwee cous-us dess" (pretty Christmas dress) for the occasion.  

When we got there she was a little quiet and didn't quite understand what was going on, but she soon got over it.

Justin was tired from sitting in the car.  Or something. 

Selfie by Keelan.  Actually, most of these photos are by Keelan.

Justin perked up a bit at the mention of food.  And yes, he wears that Santa hat everywhere he goes.

Daddy and Caylie doing some coloring.

Oh look!  Mama was there, too! 

Eating a candy cane.

We don't do Santa at our house.  Caylie has seen Santa in a few movies and shows, but I've never said anything about him - to her he's just another cartoon character.  However, when this Santa showed up, she ran right up to him.  I think it was just because she'd seen the other children sitting on his lap - she doesn't expect any presents from him!  Anyway, it was a cute picture.  

Santa's helper gave her this microphone.  That was right up her alley!

It was a c-o-l-d ride up and back.  We've have single digits and below zero temps for the past several days.  But we had a good time, anyway!  Here's Keelan on the way home.  

It's Christmas Time! (And More Dogs.)

When I was thinking about Caylie's first time decorating a Christmas tree and seeing ours light up at night, I guess I imagined her never having seen a tree before.  But that wasn't the case.  She's seen them in several stores and in movies and books, so the idea was not new to her when it was time to put ours up.  But that's OK.  She had a fun time anyway, and so far has been excited every night (all three of them!) when I plug it in.

You'll notice most of the ornaments are in a bunch at the bottom.  

Brittany and Caylie playing with the Playmobil nativity set.  We've been talking a lot about Baby Jesus and what Christmas is about.  She loves to have me read her the story and finding baby Jesus in the many nativity scenes we've seen.

 Lots of stockings!  I thought she would try to put hers on, but she just hugged it because it's Kitty.  

Admiring the finished product.

And now for the dogs!  She loves Sammie.  She lays on him and takes him into her room to play.

Sammie and Dakota hoping for a snack from Taylor.

Or from Keelan.  

Ha . . . I just noticed that folding chair is still out from Thanksgiving.

Lucy, Sammie and a happy girl!