Sadly I did not get around to sending Christmas cards and letters this year. However, for those who check this blog, I wanted you to know that we are wishing you a Merry Christmas. I hope that the season brings you happiness and that this wonderful time of year reminds you of the Savior and the gifts he has given to us.
Dec 23, 2009
Merry Christmas
Sadly I did not get around to sending Christmas cards and letters this year. However, for those who check this blog, I wanted you to know that we are wishing you a Merry Christmas. I hope that the season brings you happiness and that this wonderful time of year reminds you of the Savior and the gifts he has given to us.
Dec 8, 2009
Samichlaus Party
Samichlaus is the name for St. Nick in Swiss-German. Since before I was born, the Cannon side of the family has been celebrating Samichlaus Day, which falls on December 6. The tradition comes from my Grandparents, Ted and Janath Cannon, who served missions in Switzerland and Germany. I love how they brought pieces of the Swiss-German culture home with them and shared those cultural tidbits with their family. It is a tradition I hope to continue with my children and grandchildren in the future. Because the Cannon family is so large we now celebrate Samichlaus Day with our immediate families, and when my parent's aren't on missions of their own, we have the Samichlaus party at the Ranch.
December 6th is a big day for Swiss children. They usually await the arrival of Samichlaus impatiently and slightly frightened, because with him comes a black clad-henchmen named Schmutzli, who in the past would whip the bad children with a stick. Samichlaus comes to their door, enters and consults his big book of sins, co-authored by village parents, and does some light-hearted moralizing. He will also praise the children for the good things they have done. If the children agree to be better and earn forgiveness by reciting a poem, Samichlaus allows them to reach into his bag for some treats and small presents.
Samichlaus comes every year to our family as well. We are lucky that his companion Schmutzli does not come with him.
The kids, and uncles I guess because that's Uncle Dave on the right of the picture, eagerly awaited the arrival of Samichlaus just like the children do in Switzerland. Everyone was so excited when he finally arrived!
Even Brian got caught up in the anticipation and he walked around the house saying "Santa? Santa?" as he ate his pre-dinner cookies and crackers.
Samichlaus came to the door and was invited to sit down. He took each child one by one and praised him/her for the good things they are doing and then said at least one thing he knew they needed to work on.
The older children took him seriously and promised to improve. Then each person received a stocking full of surprises.
This was Brian's mad attempt to get as far away from Samichlaus as possible. Maybe he knew Samichlaus knew his sins.
When Brian was safe on his Daddy's lap, he then let Samichlaus tell him that he has been a happy energetic child and that he needs to work on not sucking his thumb so often.
Although Brian was not so sure about facing Samichlaus, he was sure he loved what Samichlaus gave him. Thank you Samichlaus!
Rather than reciting poems for Samichlaus, the older children each played him a Christmas song on the piano.
Then he was generous enough the give small gifts to the adults, and he left with the family singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
After watching Samichlaus walk off into the woods, the Swiss feast began! My mom makes an incredible cheese fondue (without the wine of course) and we all gorged ourselves on the chocolate and cheese fondue, quiche, wurst, potatoes, and much much more. Thank you Mom and Samichlaus for a fun fun night!
December 6th is a big day for Swiss children. They usually await the arrival of Samichlaus impatiently and slightly frightened, because with him comes a black clad-henchmen named Schmutzli, who in the past would whip the bad children with a stick. Samichlaus comes to their door, enters and consults his big book of sins, co-authored by village parents, and does some light-hearted moralizing. He will also praise the children for the good things they have done. If the children agree to be better and earn forgiveness by reciting a poem, Samichlaus allows them to reach into his bag for some treats and small presents.
Samichlaus comes every year to our family as well. We are lucky that his companion Schmutzli does not come with him.
The kids, and uncles I guess because that's Uncle Dave on the right of the picture, eagerly awaited the arrival of Samichlaus just like the children do in Switzerland. Everyone was so excited when he finally arrived!
Even Brian got caught up in the anticipation and he walked around the house saying "Santa? Santa?" as he ate his pre-dinner cookies and crackers.
Samichlaus came to the door and was invited to sit down. He took each child one by one and praised him/her for the good things they are doing and then said at least one thing he knew they needed to work on.
The older children took him seriously and promised to improve. Then each person received a stocking full of surprises.
This was Brian's mad attempt to get as far away from Samichlaus as possible. Maybe he knew Samichlaus knew his sins.
When Brian was safe on his Daddy's lap, he then let Samichlaus tell him that he has been a happy energetic child and that he needs to work on not sucking his thumb so often.
Although Brian was not so sure about facing Samichlaus, he was sure he loved what Samichlaus gave him. Thank you Samichlaus!
Rather than reciting poems for Samichlaus, the older children each played him a Christmas song on the piano.
Then he was generous enough the give small gifts to the adults, and he left with the family singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
After watching Samichlaus walk off into the woods, the Swiss feast began! My mom makes an incredible cheese fondue (without the wine of course) and we all gorged ourselves on the chocolate and cheese fondue, quiche, wurst, potatoes, and much much more. Thank you Mom and Samichlaus for a fun fun night!
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