Hanukkah, Saluda Shoals & Lights On Lake Murray

I always like to celebrate Hanukkah with my kids by lighting the menorah each day.

We also make latkes.

It was fun to share this with my dad, especially because his mom - my Granny - loved the Jewish culture.

While Grammy and Granddad were here, we went to see the lights on the river at Saluda Shoals. I dressed up again.

It's always an amazing show. 

This year, it had gone up to $25. It was only $5 when we first moved here and has gone up almost every year. This year the rides were free, so that made the increase worth it.

Tubing

Hay ride - it was sooooooo cold

Walking on the boardwalk

Making s'mores

We were so sad to have Grammy and Grandad go home. Our main consolation is that they'll be back in January for Jalen's ordination.

A few days later, we got a call from the Rutherfords, inviting us to see the boat parade at Lake Murray. We had never heard of it. I wish Grammy and Grandad could have been there for it. It was so fun. The Rutherfords live in a beautiful home with a boat dock and we just walked right onto their pontoon boat.

The water and sky were amazing.

Madilyn, Hamilton, Jalen - Hamilton is one of Jalen's best friends.

Madilyn, Antoinette and Carolyn

The boats are all decorated and lit up and they drive around in circles for everyone to see. Some of them went all out!

They ended the evening with a fireworks show. So cool!

It was a great kick off for the Christmas season.