Whale Watching Off Dana Point

The Ostergar girls took a whale watching trip over the Christmas break with Jane's friend Katherine Favor. They were thrilled to see a pod of fin whales up close, close enough to hear them breathing through their blowholes.

They went with a boat from Dana Whart Sportfishing and had no complaints with the excursion. The boat had a heated indoor cabin for the passengers, a snack bar and plenty of deck space to go outside and see the whales. The cost was about $29 per adult and $19 for kids.

http://www.danawharfsportfishing.com/


Ruth, Andrew Favor, Katherine Favor, Jane and Julia

New Years Eve Inferno

We gathered at Doheny state beach to enjoy a bonfire and crab legs (Ostergars got leftover crown roast) with Cathy's family. Jake and Sarah from Boston and Jenny and Mark from Sacramento, who were here for the holidays, were able to join us as well. The highlight of the evening was the burning of the Ostergar christmas tree in the fire pit. We're just glad the cops didn't show up! Thanks to Debbie Stapley for the picture. 5 Beavers for the 20 second bon fire.



Check out the awesome video of the fire at http://jakeandsarah.blogspot.com/ under the heading "End of Christmas Ritual."

Marshmallow Guns from REI -- The Battle for Christmas

Peace on earth was the last thing on everyone's mind in the Ostergar home on Christmas morning. Santa stuffed each stocking with a Marshmallow Gun. Mayhem soon ensued. Though no clear victor emerged from the melee, Cathy certainly enjoyed picking the spent ammunication from the carpet. 4 Beavers for the Marshmallow Guns. Get yours at REI: http://www.rei.com/product/739132


Good thing Adam has on extra head protection.


Ruthienator!



Allen IV gets "poned."

Crown Roast ala Cathy

The Sunday before Christmas, we enjoyed a pre-christmas dinner with Gwen and Robb Falck, Maria Elena Rodriguez and her son Daniel. Cathy made a pork crown roast, complete with paper tips for the top of roast. Popovers and grilled veggies made by Gwen were a perfect complement to the roast. Cathy's trifle finished off our very English dinner.

Cathy gets some help with the roast.

Adam is overcome by the food... or is it the braces?

Adam gets Braces!

Adam underwent this adolescent right of passage with very unfortunate timing... 6 days before Christmas. Of course, that didn't stop Adam from eating toffee. He just switched from chewing to sucking.


Before...


After...

Ostergars Wow Audiences Across Orange County with their Muscial and Theatrical Talents

Jane and Julia Make Segerstrom Hall Debut!
On December 12, 2007, Jane and Julia as well as Mary Falck performed a Christmas concert with the Orange County Mormon Choral Organization (OCMCO) at the world renowned Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, California. Segerstrom Hall is one of the most prestigious classical music concert venues in the West and certainly in Orange County. The sell-out audience heard fabulous music from the Orange County Mormon Choir (adults), the Orange County Mormon Concert Choir (High School age -- including Jane) and the Orange County Mormon Youth Choir (10-14 -- including Julia and Mary) all together with the Orange County Mormon Orchestra (I'm sensing a theme here). This was the first concert performed by the organization and it was excellent for a first performance. We look forward to great things in the future. Mo Tab, watch out!

http://www.ocmco.org/


Jane and Julia enjoy the adulation of their adoring fans, including Great Grandma Bird and Grandma Sedgwick.

Ruth Plays Who in "Grinch"
Ruthie's second grade class performed "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on December 19, 2007, with Ruth playing the roles of Who 1 and Who 2. 5 beavers to the cowboy hat wearing whos.



Adam Stands Out in School Band.
Adam plays the trombone in his middle school Concert Band and Jazz band. Here he is at his Christmas Concert. Is there anything this boy can't do?


Sedgwick Family Talent Show Dominated by Ostergars
The Sedgwick family gathered for Christmas as Grandmas Sedgwick's home. After receiving Grandma's amazing gifts, we went down the street to the Stapley home for dinner.


While we let the enchiladas and tamales digest, all of the cousins treated us to a talent show. Ruth played "Up On the Housetop".


Julia played "You Are My Sunshine" on the guitar. Adam played "Ballade" and Jane played "Las Petit Negre" on the piano. Allen IV showed off his sketchbook. Allen III then displayed his best talent by planting a huge kiss on Cathy for all to see (except you).

Spirit of the Season

For Christmas this year, Martha gave me the new Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD called "Spirit of the Season." The CD features several songs by a Norwegian singer named "Sissel." I had never heard of her before. I wish I would have. Her voice is simply incredible. If an angel from heaven came to me and started to sing, I know it would sound just like her. Her voice has a clarity and brightness to it that makes you pause just to listen to its beauty. She shines best in the Norwegian folks tunes on the CD but is wonderful in the English language songs as well. Her sometime noticeable accent only adds to the charm.

My least favorite songs on CD were "Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella" (it sounded more like military march than a Christmas carol) and "Sunny Bank" (a variation of "I saw three ships" that was repetitive and annoying). There were also a few songs that require a stretch to fit into the carol category such as "Like an Angel Passing Through My Room" (an old ABBA song) but it was stunningly beautiful, nevertheless.

Wexford Carol is Martha's favorite on the CD and I think I have to agree with her. The Irish whistle in the song can't help but evoke images of the "emerald isle."

4 Beavers for "Spirit of the Season."

Savior of the World

Jane, Adam, Julia and I enjoyed very much our opportunity to participate in a sacred musical drama called "Savior of the World -- His Birth and Resurrection" put on by our stake. Check out the pictures...


Jane and Julia check out their makeup.


All made up and ready to go as Mary's Father.


Julia as villager.


Allen as Mary's Father, Jane as Anna (Mary's Sister) and Julia.


Jane tries out Mary's pregnant outfit.
Looks a little lumpy. They ended up not using it.


Adam as Ezra, Mary's Cousin.


Allen as Mary's Father at the betrothal.

"Joseph is a good man."


"Drink, and you have a covenant."


Jane as Anna and Mary (Kristen Jorgensen) talk about her betrothal.


Jane is excited for the wedding.


Ezra with Elizabeth (Janey Hick)


Marriage of Mary and Joseph.


Adam holds wedding canopy.


Allen as angel sings to the shepherds.

Mary Falck in the green room.

Mary Falck as Rebecca (a young disciple). She and Julia traded off the role of Rebecca every other night.

Maren Sedgwick hears the apostles.

Mary Falck and Maren Sedgwick as angels.

Julia sings like an angel.

Peter greets Mary Magdalene (Angel Westover)

Allen as Peter with apostles in upper room.

Peter with James (Matt Boyer), Thomas (Dave Astle)

and John (Blake).

Allen as Peter

Jane with women (Kim Clawson and Claralyn Palfryman) rejoicing over Christ's resurrection.

"Come deliver us..."

"Behold my hands...." Don Sedgwick (Cathy's brother) as Christ.

Christ appears to the apostles.

Peter encourages Thomas (Dave Astle) to believe

"Thomas, have you given up hope?"

Jane and Julia in finale.

Jane wows the audience with her beatiful voice.

I will leave it to others to review the show. All I can say is that it was a very moving experience for our family -- an experience we will never forget.

"What we thought was the end, is the beginning."

Digital Snowflakes

Check out this snowflake cutting site: http://snowflakes.lookandfeel.com/

You can cut out your own digital snowflakes and download them to share.

Here's the snowflake I cut... looks kind of art-deco don't you think?



5 Beavers for the snowflake site.

Thanks to Hailey Meyer Liechty's blog for this great tip: http://theletteroftheday.blogspot.com/

LOCAL DANCERS EARN PLUM ROLES IN BALLET WEST'S 'THE NUTCRACKER'

[Thanks to Kelly and Dave Ostergar for this... ACO]

Choreographed by Ballet West Founder William Christensen, "The Nutcracker"had its Utah premiere in 1955. That first year, Christensen used guest artists in primary roles and drew on children from several Salt Lake dance studios to fulfill additional parts. The result was one cast of 75 local dancers. This year, Ballet West auditioned nearly 500 children from Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and surrounding areas for the coveted children's role, resulting in four casts of young dancers. The use of local dance students for the annual Nutcracker performances has been a holiday tradition. Congratulations to the following 2007 Nutcracker kids cast members! Noah Ostergar's name is listed in this article from the Salt Lake Deseret News 11/25/2007.
5 beavers to Noah for trying out and making it He will perform Dec. 12-17th. We will send reviews then.