It's a busy season of holidays indeed. As soon as Halloween was over, it was all about preparing for Thanksgiving. And now it's been all about Christmas. We've decorated the house, been to a Holidazzle parade, a Norwegian Christmas service, a Christmasy winter walk downtown, and we're lighting candles, burning incense, playing Christmas music and singing and dancing just about every day. We cross off each day on the calendar, counting down. So much fun! Lilly's so excited about the tree we're going to have to decorate and then sing and dance around on Christmas eve (a Norwegian tradition). We were supposed to get the tree and decorate it this past weekend, but with the 21 inches of snow that fell on top of the 10 inches or so that fell last weekend, we were simply snowed in most of the weekend, and then Lilly was sick throwing up constantly on Saturday, recovering on Sunday.
But back to the fun stuff.
Sweethearts at the Holidazzle parade.
Marveling at the parade.
At the Norwegian Christmas service, St. Olaf College chapel.
With a basket for treats to hang on the tree (a Norwegian tradition).
Admiring another tree at St. Olaf.
Winter walk fun downtown.
Historic train models at the city library.
Back outside to see the horses with sleighs, and to listen to some caroling.
At the local pub for beer and food and more caroling.
Child-friendly pub this one night at least; eating rice with her best friend Anna.
Peek-a-boo with a girl Lilly befriended in the pub.
Good'ol papa.
