A Christmas Carol

The kids had an opportunity to audition for our community theater group's production of "A Christmas Carol", and what do you know?  They each got a part! So we have been busy with rehearsals for the last month, but it was well worth all the hard work. Here are their pictures from the playbill

Tristan Samuelson - Littlest Urchin Boy

Grace Samuelon - Urchin Girl and Cratchet Girl

Grace was originally cast as just an urchin girl, but because of her dependability, she was asked to be an understudy for a couple of other parts, and opening night she was called upon to fill the role of Cratchet girl as well.

The first two performances were dinner shows, and since my mom was here, we were able to have a date night to enjoy the show without interruption.

Their opening night gifts, flowers for Grace and a guitar strap for Tristan

The Cratchet Family

Mr. Scrooge and the Littlest Urchin Boy

The kids were also involved in the children's choir that performed before the shows

"I'll do it, I ain't scared!"

After the boys were being taunted to go sing at Scrooges door.

Singing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

The ghost of Marley

The ghost of Christmas Past

Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig

Grandma and Naomi enjoying the show

The ghost of Christmas Present

The Cratchit Family

The ghost of Christmases yet to come

Receiving a schilling from Mr. Scrooge

At Fred's house

Mr. Cratchit being ashamed for being late to work

Mr. Cratchit's response after getting a raise from ol' Scrooge

Taking a bow

We were sooo proud of these kids! I never imagined Tristan would ever be interested in being in a play, much less having a speaking/singing part.  But he did wonderfully and enjoyed it very much.  Grace was amazing as well, and really made us proud when she was asked to be an understudy and was ultimately cast as the Cratchit girl as well.  We were proud of both of them for being reliable to be at all of their practices and know all of their lines, even when they had to adjust on the spot just a few rehearsals before the show.  If they have the opportunity again, I know they will jump at the chance to preform - I think we've got a couple of thespians on our hands!

Cirque Dreams

Once again Cirque du Soleil brought their holiday show to Camp Humphreys, so of course we went to see the awesome acrobatics.

I have no idea how many hula hoops this lady was twirling, but I have a hard enough time keeping one up anymore! 

This guy balanced a good 16 stemmed glasses on the bridge of his nose. 

And then climbed a ladder. 

This guy is always entertaining.

He actually gave us all a thrill this time as he took a spill.  Thankfully the board he balances on only fell to the bottom of his stack and he wasn't hurt.

And before we headed over to see the show this guy lost another tooth!

Sledding

We had our first snow, and it became a must to go sledding, so we headed to our favorite sledding place, Asan Spavis.

David bringing all three kids down the hill 

This momma was super nervous with her baby going down the big hill, but that was the only one that was open. 

Then I took my turn down the hill with her and determined she didn't need to go again since they wouldn't let her ride in a lap and I had to hold her down in the tube so she didn't bounce out! (Plus it was a really good excuse to stay inside where it was warm. It was so cold that day that snow was forming out of the humidity in the air) 

Warming up with hot chocolate 

The kids didn't care what the temperature was, they went back out after they warmed up with their hot cocolate. 

Oh how I'm going to miss letting my kids rom free when we leave Korea.

Breakfast with Santa

Every year the Family Morale, Welfare, and Recreation people here have a breakfast with Santa at the Alaska Mining Company, so we headed over for some good food and a picture with Santa before we hit the sledding hill.

Grace and Tristan smiled for the camera and told "Santa" what they would like for Christmas

But Naomi was having none of it!

 

I now have a picture of all the kids being petrified of the jolly old elf.  Mission complete.

First Snow

We had our first snow today and we got to go out and play in it while it was still fresh and coming down.

We ended up with a lot more snow, but Tristan couldn't resist making a snow angel right away. 

My kids will exercise in any weather! 

Snow we can make snowballs out of! 

Finally!  They don't have to skooch themselves down the slide.

It's a good thing Naomi's bibs came in the mail earlier this week!

This was the wettest snow we have ever experienced in Korea and the kids were soaked by the time they came in.