Kirsten as an Ancestor

The lead role in Mulan was double cast and when Kirsten was not playing Mulan she
played the lead ancestor watching over the Fa family.

Up in the clouds looking down on Mulan.

Celebrating Mulan's success at saving China.

For some reason Kirsten's mom thought it was great to be an ancestor.

Kirsten as Mulan

Kirsten played the lead role in her middle school production of "Mulan."

Trying to learn the admonitions.

Disappointing her father. Would she ever bring her family honor?

In need of a makeover before she sees the matchmaker.

Nervously waiting with the other maidens to see the matchmaker.

"When will my reflection show who I am inside?"

Her father is proud of her.

Disguised as a soldier to serve in her father's place.

Present. Ready for duty.

Training in the army camp.

Learning to "Be a Man"

Asking if they can use their brains and not just their brawn.

Dressing the soldiers up as girls to get them in the Emperor's palace.

"My baby is all grown up and saving China" - Mushu

Mulan cast

White Christmas

Matt and Dalton took advantage of the "White Christmas" and spent the afternoon outside.

They began with a friendly snowball fight.

Then decided to build a snow fort for protection.

Snow fort from the inside with ammunition ready.

Time for sledding.

"Wheee"

I don't want to go in yet. Let's build a snowman.

After enjoying much of the afternoon outside the boys came in to get dressed up. We went to the church for the baptism of a friend who was born on Christmas Day. He wanted to be baptized on his birthday. This was a nice reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. It was an opportunity for us to witness someone literally "Coming unto Christ," and reminding the rest of us to do the same.

Christmas Day

The kids woke up at 7:30 to see what Santa had brought them. I am not sure why they waited so long - I always remember getting up at about 5am.

They both thought that Santa was good to them.

We had a relaxing morning. After checking out the stockings we enjoyed the traditional breakfast of crepes and then opened gifts. We stopped in the middle to play games and enjoy our time together.

"Look what was in my stocking"

Opening gifts together. They helped each other open gifts and play with the games and toys.

Playing on Dalton's new educational "laptop."

"Just what I always wanted!!"

Christmas was good for the McGhie family this year.

Christmas Eve

We began our Christmas Eve celebration by visiting Ray and Cheri Galas, a couple from our church. We had a wonderful visit and were able to read the Christmas Story from Luke 2 and play games with them. It was a very special day for Ray as he has Alzheimer's and this was his first "social event" in months.


Christmas Eve has always been a time for a family game night, I am just not sure why we let the kids pick the games. Somehow we ended up with Twister and Monopoly instead of my choice of Settlers of Catan. Oh well, the kids had fun.

Matt, Kirsten and Dalton were better at it than I was.

Dalton was even a pretty good photographer.

Christmas Story Time

It is a tradition to open one present on Christmas Eve. Surprise! We all got new pajamas!

Even though Kirsten is 13, she is not too proud to match her mother.

Preschool Christmas Program

Dalton's preschool class put on a Christmas program for the parents. They acted out the nativity story and Dalton played one of the three Kings.

The children sang several Christmas songs including "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Away in a Manger," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." They each made their own antleers by tracing their hands. Dalton was a very good singer.


The children told us about the Christmas symbols and we all enjoyed a lunch together. The class had even made a birthday cake for Jesus to serve for dessert. There are about 14 kids in Dalton's class.