A Classic Alaska Christmas

We started the year with a performance of the Community Handel's Messiah. I was very honored to conduct it for the 4th time. This was the 18th performance, and my 18th year of singing or conducting.

There were about 100 singers, and 25 orchestra. They truly made a beautiful sound. I loved every minute. During the practices I was quite ill, but felt well for the performances, which added to my joy.

The performance was the 30th of November, which let us start the Christmas season right.

Jessica sang with the Alaska Children's Choir again this year. She has a true gift with music. She got the traditional fabric flower. We give her one each year she's participated in the esteemed Children's Choir. I believe she has about 6 of them now. She loves them and prefers them over live flowers.
She sure looked pretty up there. We were very proud of her.
We participated in 12 performances one of us performed in during the 2 weeks before Christmas. It was a crazy time, but we loved it all.

Terri conducted a local private school Christmas concert. It was wonderful. They came from zero ability, to actually better than the local High School. It was a Tour-de-fource for Terri. I was very proud of her -- as always.

It was Terri's year to decorate the Tree, and she did the BEST ONE EVER. We even decorated ourselves just for fun.

Christmas is now past, and we have dug out from under the garland, lights, tree and wrappings with a happy smile. It was great fun to have Lisa with us. She is our "my home is in Alaska" gal.

Lisa spent a few months with us between semesters, and really added to our home. She is so kind and patient. She braided Jessica's hair a million times, and was the perfect big sister.

Lisa also met a young man that made her short stay here lots of excitement for her. They were gone and gone and gone almost every night of the week. We had to schedule time with Lisa in order to celebrate the holidays with her. (Just kidding! kind of)

It was fantastic to have Bonnie and Patrick up from Boston for Christmasl. They lit up our world with laughter and non-stop play. Patrick did his best to wear out every video game he could find, and Bonnie made sure we partied hearty.

Terri made sure we ate too much. Jessica and Zahide added childish wonder, and I watched it all swirl around me in a state of delight.

Zahide came to live with us in October. She is a funny, happy girl with more energy than a nuclear explosion. She and Jessica keep the world spinning a little faster. We have truly enjoyed her. She's going to be returning to her family in January, and we will miss her a lot. Fortunately, she lives only a block away and Jessica can keep up their best-friendship.