Christmas Cookies

Eleven days to Christmas?!  How is this possible.  I truly believe that such a late Thanksgiving has caused our Christmas to come quickly.  Kate is done with school until January and Jack goes until Wednesday.  We continue to work on our Jesse Tree.  We lagged behind a little, but are catching up and enjoying learning the genealogy of Christ.

Today we did some Christmas baking since it was kind of dreary day.  My mom came over to help and enjoyed a quick game Uno.  Somehow grandparents manage to squeeze in games for the grandkids, but when I was Jack's age, mom was busy.  Oh well, I guess I do the same thing now.

First Week of December/Advent

December 6 is already here.  In three short weeks, Christmas will be here!  We've begun the festivities with tree decorating and gingerbread houses.

Our dentist has a drawing every 6 months for a set of animals.  Jack has entered the drawing 3 times and always asks me if he won at random times.  Craig had a dental visit and was surprised to find that Jack won the drawing.  Jack was VERY excited.  He shared one of the smaller zebras with Kate and they've been great friends ever since.

Face-painting at Uncle Maddio's Family Night.  The kids LOVE this.

Mommy/Kate Matching Christmas Toes

One of my favorite things we have done this year is the Advent Jesse Tree.  We have gotten creative with it this year - well, for our first year of doing this.  We read the story each night and then the kids draw/color and "ornament" for their trees.  So far, we have covered Day 1 - Creation, Day 2 - Sin, 

Day 3 - Noah, Day 4 - Abraham, Day 5 - Isaac.  I let them decide on what they want to draw and they have been quite creative.  They have really enjoyed this and ask, "what story is next?".  I am excited they are excited about God and His wonderful story!

Winter Snow

I love Christmas.  One of my favorite parts of Christmas are the songs because they really allow me to focus on the meaning of Christmas.  Their words have meaning and the reflection in them can be powerful.  My favorite traditional song is "Oh Holy Night".  My favorite modern song is probably "Winter Snow".  The words just remind me of how the birth of Jesus was so humble and simple.  He didn't want to have a grandiose entrance.  He came in a barn, with his earthly mom and dad there.  That's it.  His birth is truly a gift.  Not just for His future death but for all it represents.  Isn't He amazing in His perfect plan?

Winter Snow by Chris Tomlin

Could've come like a mighty storm

With all the strength of a hurricane

You could've come like a forest fire

With the power of Heaven in Your flame

But You came like a winter snow

Quiet and soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

You could've swept in like a tidal wave

Or an ocean to ravish our hearts

You could have come through like a roaring flood

To wipe away the things we've scarred

But You came like a winter snow, yes, You did

You were quiet, You were soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

Ooh no, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning

No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind

It was still, it was small, it was hidden

Oh, You came like a winter snow

Quiet and soft and slow

Falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

Falling, oh yeah, to the earth below

You came falling from the sky in the night

To the earth below

Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving week started off with a nice church dinner and visiting with family.  Tuesday was Jack's school program as well as the triplets.  Each class did a wonderful job and we are so grateful and "thankful" we are at our school.  After the program, we went back to my parents and hung out with my grandparents.  Kimberly and I got to work on the 5 gallon bucket of pecans.  We cracked a lot, but only managed to squeeze out 2.5 cups, but that's all I needed for my chocolate pretzel pecan pie and sweet potato casserole.  My mom also had some arts and crafts planned for the kids.  On Wednesday, we went back over and helped Gigi make some delicious pumpkin treats.

Thursday was the big day - Thanksgiving!  Gigi had some fun activities planned.  After we ate, the kids did a scavenger hunt for turkeys that spelled out JESUS.  We chilled, played and ate again.

Finally, we celebrated Brooks' first birthday!  The munchkin turned one on November 27, so the little turkey gobbled up some cake.  He seemed to enjoy opening his presents too.  

Fun day celebrating all that we are thankful for.  

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever - Psalm 107:1.

Mid-November Update

Since our return trip from the mountains, we've still been busy bees!  I need to expect this during the fall and holiday season.  Jack finished up his soccer season last week with a team party and trophies.  Jack was super excited about his trophy and it did look pretty cool.

We also have been on a few lunch dates.  Kate liked using my phone to photograph Brooks.  We even went to the movies with the cousins and Gigi to see Free Birds.

Kate's Thanksgiving program was Friday and we enjoyed watching her sing songs.  Her Indian Princess name was Princess Strawberry because she loves Strawberry Shortcake.

Finally, Gramma came for a quick visit and since we don't see her in November usually, we celebrated her November birthday a little early and had a little party to celebrate. 

NC Mountains

We just spent 3 great days in North Carolina enjoying the cool mountain air and fireside by the cabin.  We drove to Atlanta and spent the night.  We left Thursday morning and asked the kids where they wanted to go, Zoo Atlanta or the Georgia Aquarium.  We've been to the aquarium a few times, so the kids decided on the zoo.  It wasn't amazing, but seeing a real-life panda and some naked mole rats made our day a success.

Friday morning we arrived in North Carolina to meet our friends, Mike, Leeann, Lane and Quinn.  We explored our cabin, the views the fireplace and went to the grocery store to get some supplies.  We also made a stop at the Mast General Store Candy Barrell for some candy because no vacation would be complete without candy!

Saturday, we made a trip to Blowing Rock.  I am still not quite sure why the Blowing Rock even exists, but I was too worried about children falling over the edge to read the information.  That tends to happen these days.

After the actual Blowing Rock, we made our way downtown to eat lunch and watch some football.  There was a park downtown too, so we played on the playground a bit and headed to Linville Falls.

After a long day of hiking and exploring, we needed some s'mores!  Who doesn't love s'mores while in the mountains or anytime for that matter?!

Sunday morning was Grandfather Mountain.  The entire mountain was great.  We started out checking on Split/Sphinx Rocks and then traveled further up to the Nature center.  They had native animals like otters, an eagle, deer, a mountain lion and some bears.  

When we made it to the top, 5,280 feet up - 1 mile and IT WAS WINDY!  I think sustained winds were at least 40 mph and gusts up to 60.  We got up almost to the suspension bridge and I was holding Kate and I could not go on that bridge.  I put Kate down for a second and she almost flew off the mountain.  I was outta there and took the kids with me.  Craig, Mike, Leeann and Quinn made their way across.  Jack then wanted to go out on the bridge so I prayed and let him go.  I may be a little dramatic here, but it was windy, seriously.  The views were beautiful and it was worth the fear and drive to see God's creation.

We had a great time.  I am glad to be home, but a little time in the mountains enjoying nature with some sweet friends, was wonderful!