John Williams Christmas Concert

December 27th, 2013 – As part of a Christmas surprise, we went to a St. Louis Symphony concert at Powell Hall where David Roberston conducted the music of John Williams.  It was absolutely fantastic!
They played some film scores of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, War Horse, The Terminal, 1941, E.T. J.F.K., Jurassic Park and the Olympic Fanfare.  You’ll find a playlist below with some scores that I remember them playing.
Many of the film scores were very familiar, so it was great to watch the musicians make it come alive and to anticipate a cymbal crash or a blast from the trumpet.  Something that stood out particularly, was hearing the very difficult clarinet solo being played live from “The Tale of Victor Navorski” (The Terminal.)

Powell Hall was built in 1925 and was used as a movie theater and for vaudeville.  The last film shown at Powell before it was renovated for the symphony, was “The Sound of Music” in 1966.

Christmas Morning

December 25, 2013 - You've got to get up! You've got to get up! It's Christmas Morning!

We have a tradition of getting a photo every Christmas morning, before we go into the living room and see the tree and the gifts. 

Our Christmas mornings have certainly changed over years – one of which being that this morning we were already showered and dressed.

Someone’s still trying to wake up

Pillaging the stockings

(This was our first year with a real mantle over the fireplace, so we were able to hang our stockings the legitimate way)

Lydia was disappointed she didn’t have a stockings.

She just doesn’t own any socks.

Checking out the big throw Noah was giving Ben

What a great gift for this ENFP!

Lydia was obviously very excited about her new bath towels

Note her Christmas sweater.

We always make a mess

I have no idea what he’s spinning in his hand

Benjamin’s off to test out his new wet suit in the creek.

Yes, it’s late-December, but that would never stop him!

Old Courthouse Dance

December 21, 2013 – This afternoon we headed to St. Louis for a civil war dance at the old courthouse.  We’d been invited by some friends for a series of dances called by Deborah Hyland.
Oddly enough, this was the first time that I or even my Mom had been to the Old Courthouse.

The dance took place in the rotunda

Our caller was Deborah Hyland, Dance Mistress - [Facebook Page]

A civil war band from Mt. Vernon, IL, provided live music from one of the upper levels

After every dance in a quadrille or a longways set they would do a polka or waltz:

During one of the breaks we headed upstairs to explore the courthouse and get some photos.

Looking down….

..looking up.

I love these enormous doors, would love to have this in my house someday.  When closed, they give a sense of security and solidarity.  When open, they present a very noble welcome to visitors.

Staircases

View of the rotunda from the top level

The entrance to the west wing of the courthouse where the Dread Scott case took place in 1856.