Santa and filling in

Yesterday around 1 p.m., Santa arrived in Petersburg. Around this part of the country, reindeer (particularly flying ones) are scarce and sleighs aren't to be found, so Santa has to make do with the next best thing -- an Alaska Ferry!

I didn't go, but Elise, Grandpa, and all the kids went to the ferry terminal. From what I hear, it was quite crowded there, with children and their parents waiting for Santa to appear. Once he arrived, the children went to see him and received some goody bags. Shelley and Amy went and talked with Santa (as you can see), but apparently Danny did not.

While the rest of the family was at the terminal, I was busy making latkes (Jewish shredded potato deep-fried pancakes). I wanted to make sure this would work for our Christmas Brunch this Saturday. It can be made up to three days ahead and reheated in an oven to crisp-ness. Anyway, it looks like it will work, though I don't plan to shred 12-15 pounds of potatoes with a box shredder, nor grind 3 cups or so of Matzo (unleavened bread) meal. Elise did locate our food processor after she returned, and hopefully we can also locate our stand mixer as well.

Shelley went to a Wyldlife Christmas party at the Lighthouse church in the afternoon. It consisted of a movie, some games, and snacks.

And then right after that, all of us headed over to the Presbyterian church for their little Christmas play. I think we made up about the quarter of the attendees. And they were missing a couple of non-speaking parts, so Shelley and I volunteered to fill in. I was the innkeeper's son, Jonathan, and Shelley became Ruth, the daughter.

The play was an imaginative account of Christmas at the inn in Bethlehem, where all the dinner guests are transformed into inn guests. As dinner is being served and consumed, the play goes on around the inn. At the end of the meal, after Jesus is born, everyone goes to the "stable" to see the newborn baby. The whole play is written in a very engaging and humorous manner.

This was the first time inside the Presbyterian church. Size-wise, it looks to be about the same size as our church. They have more in regular attendance, from what I've heard.

The rain that started yesterday afternoon and continues has washed away most of the new snow from yesterday.

The rest of the family are over at the Hashagens baking cake (which I'm not supposed to know about). Something about my birthday... :)