in Texas was to go and see Trans Siberian Orchestra. After the first time I saw their show I explained it to Tim as "church on acid". For those that haven't seen one of their shows it is a 2 part act. The opening show is a story about a lost angle sent by God to find something, and the music and songs are all related to tell the story of this angle. After that they just have a great time on stage playing music. These guys really rock! If fact one of the founding memebers was also one of the founding members of Black Sabath, so that should give you an idea of the style of music. However there i
s something amazing about the music that they play and the kick ass light show that goes with it. Their shows are usually around 3 hours and I swear that for the entire 3 hours I sit there like a little kid with a silly grin on my face watching the lights. The first year that we took Scott to the show he actually fell asleep towards the end, which 
was funny because that was when it was at the loudest, and when they had the fire canons going off! Anyways, I've had the pleasure of seeing them 3 years now and always look forward to the next show. This year I was also able to take Leighanna and her boyfriend Eyrk as well. They enjoyed it, but both being music majors were a bit more critical of it, just as a movie critic would be watching a movie. I guess you just don't hear things the same way a lay person does. Scott did manage to
stay awake for it this time, and told me that he actually enjoys their music, which is nice because he isn't much of a music person.Something else we did this year was to build a ginger bread house. I did cheat and get one of those kits that you just frost and set up, but the idea was for the kids to have fun with it. Unfortunatly though I did not get a picture of the final project. Christmas cookies however do not have cornors cut and I love the time spent in the kitchen with the kids. Last year we did gingerbread cut outs and they were a big hit, so we made to sure to include them in the line up a
gain. I give the kids a ton of icing gels and sprinkles and let them go to it.The last of our traditions come on Christmas Eve. I love to go to church on Christmas Eve. I'm not a hugely religous person, I have my ideas, and majoring in history, I have a lot of backround knowledge that things aren't as they are, but still I LOVE being in a church on Christmas Eve. There is something magical about it. This year was even better because as we were getting ready to leave it started to snow one of those slow lazy beautifull snows. After church we came home for hot coaco and stories. My mom started with me the chance to open one gift on Christmas Eve,
which was usually jammies, or maybe a stuffed animal that she had made for me. I have continued this with the kids. So Scott opened his new pj's got ready for bed, hung his stocking with care by the fireplace (we actually had one this year!), and put the last piece on his advent calander (something I had made last year...all done w/felt, you add a piece to the scean each night in December and on the 24th Santa and his bag of toys is added.) To end the evening we read a few Christmas stories, and always save "Twas the night before Christmas" for last. I remember mom reading it to 
us every year. In fact one year when I worked EMS, I have to work on Christmas Eve, so I had her wait till I was able to call her so I could still hear the story...of course she didn't know she was on speaker phone and reading to my entire crew until she was done and heard the clapping!). Anyways when Scott was born she presented me with my own copy of the story, and I've read it to him every year since then.
