Christmas Angels and Babes in Toyland

Here are my two little Christmas angels! So sweet and loving.

We celebrated an early Christmas in Idaho on the day after Thanksgiving.

Rainey helped Big Daddy pick out a tree to decorate...

Emily helped him, and everyone else open their gifts. She has a real talent for ripping paper.

One of Emily's favorite gifts was this gigantic Dora doll. She was a bit afraid of it at first (as was I), but she soon warmed up to her. I thought we might have to buy an extra seat on the plane to get her home.

When we did get back to Texas, we celebrated Breakfast with Santa at our church. The girls had a blast and Rainey told Santa she wanted toys with "accessories included." Our children's minister Rhonda Cullum did an outstanding job on this cool event.

This past weekend was dominated by Babes in Toyland. That's Rainey center-left as a toy soldier. She also played the roles of a spider and an elf. The cast performed the show 4 times over the weekend. To say Rainey had a blast would be a tremendous understatement. She's a little Theatre Rat! Her theatre class will be performing Peter Pan on Wednesday. She will be playing the role of Wendy.

Here she is with some fellow soldiers outside the theatre after the last show and after signing autographs for all their adoring fans.

In true Texas fashion, the cast party was held at a bar-b-que joint. Everyone signed posters for each other as keepsakes. Ah, the camaraderie of the theatre!

Part of the reason Rainey loves participating in these shows is because she gets to be around older actors who spoil her and shower her with affection. One of her favorites is Jessica, the young lady who played Mary, Mary Quite Contrary in the show.

Saying farewell to her director Miss Erica. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Can you see the relief on Erica's face? We are so thankful for places like LifeSong Studios and LifeStage Theatre where Rainey can spread her creative wings.

Hope you are enjoying your holiday season.