Budding guitar heroes

Playing Band Hero at Best Buy, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.

This is the only reason my girls tolerate going to Best Buy with me.

Merry Christmas from the Cuthbert family

New pajamas for Christmas eve, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.

We didn't send out Christmas cards this year, so a blog post will have to do.

Our family had a wonderful Christmas. Our celebrations stretched out over several days -- from decorating the house, to the party we hosted with Misty's family, to our church's Silent Night worship, to a staff party for the church, to early exchange of presents with Misty's mom, to Christmas day itself, to a post-Christmas visit with my parents in Atlanta.

Being surrounded by friends and family this season, we're reminded of how blessed we are. We hope that your lives have been blessed this year as well.

Merry Christmas to all.

All I want for Christmas is...

Sitting with Santa, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.

We made our annual visit to see Santa at Brookwood Mall this evening.

Kendall's wish list was no surprise. She told him she wants a "big, big dollhouse" and a princess castle. She's been repeating the same two things for months.

Emily, on the other hand, threw us a curve. She told Santa that she wants a bulldog. This is a request she's been repeating as well, but not as a Christmas gift. She is well aware of the restriction we've imposed that we will not get a dog until she's seven. But apparently, Emily thought she could circumvent the waiting period by appeaing to Santa.

"Santa's not going to bring you a bulldog," Misty told her. "I'm sure he doesn't want to break our rule."

Of course, this caused a brief panic from Emily. "But I didn't ask him for anything else!," she said.

I promised her we could e-mail Santa tomorrow.

Emily on stage again

Kindergarten Christmas performance, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.

Greenwood Elementary held their holiday music program last night. Emily has been practicing her songs for weeks, which included "Sweet Treats" and "Little Angels." She'll stand in front of the fireplace at home and sing for us, then once she gets through with a song she'll say, "Now with motions!," and add in the gestures the kids do during the performance. It's adorable.

Here's video of the songs from the kindergarten classes.