Throughout high school and into college I was a choir gal. Performing was always a delight. But, the most delightful event by far was the Holiday Festival in college. At the beginning of December, a full orchestra and all the choirs throughout the college came together and performed holiday tunes of every nature.

Now each Christmas season, the family and I return to my alma mater and see the production. It’s a favorite tradition. I love it. There’s something about sitting in the above theatre (ooh, pretty), listening to the joy, and being a part of the audience sing-alongs that really puts me in the mood to party on through Christmas.

And because we were sitting on the balcony closest to the brass section, I give you a little cameo appearance of…the brass section! Flugelhorn, anyone? (Confession: I don’t actually know if a flugelhorn is represented in the above photo, but when else will I get an opportunity to write “flugelhorn”? I ask you.)

These lovely ladies rocked out the CHSSA State Spirit competition this weekend. Remember how my younger sister is on the pom squad? They took 6th place (out of 17), which is pretty awesome in my book. Congrats ladies! (This photo is from several weeks ago. I had hoped to get some shots of them competing, but the stadium they were in was beyond massive and I lacked a big ol’ sucker of a lens. So, no dice. Alas.)

Finally, Monday was St. Nicholas Day. It’s a holiday we’ve celebrated…always. We place our shoes out on the night of December 5 (per tradition) and the next morning wake to find delicious chocolate and perhaps a movie or treat littered amongst our footwear. (This is totally sanitary, I promise.)

Well, this was the first year in a while that I wasn’t able to go home for the holiday. I’m gainfully employed and come Monday morning to work I must a-go. But, I couldn’t very well not keep up the tradition.

So, out came the ol’ Chuck Taylor’s, but sadly, no sweet treats appeared the next morning.

Apparently my change of address letter got lost in the mail…

I hope you all had a great weekend!