Before the holiday started, Baylie and two classmates were invited to perform a skit at the district board meeting. I was on the wrong side of the room to get her picture.
We've had a great holiday. I don't remember in what order we did everything, but I took pictures of most of it.
This was our Christmas card this year.
We have lots of traditions for the holiday.One is to string popcorn for the tree.
Another is to go to the Irmo tree lighting for pizza, hot cocoa and a visit with Santa.
We deliver goodies to friends and neighbors. And here in South Carolina we dress for the weather.
In the past, we had a picture of a menorah that we taped candles on. This year we bought a little menorah and burned the candles every day of Hanukkah.
We hadn't been to the Lights at Saluda Shoals in a couple of years and we had never gotten out of the car to do the extra activities, but we did both this year. I was super fun.
We took the train ride. We were told it was better than the hayride, but I have my doubts. The train was fun, but the hayride costs half as much and you can get out and walk around. I think next year we'll do that.
It was freezing!
The s'mores were much cheaper than at the zoo so we decide to make them here instead.
The lights were fabulous. We hadn't been through since they changed the route. It's so much better now. Of course, you can't really tell from the pictures.
The kids also did the slide, but we didn't get pictures.
We love our kids' elementary school. I hate missing all their activities now that I'm working. Fortunately, my sweet friends send me pictures. Here is Baylie drawing a snowman on her head.
Her 4th grade class went to see Wonder at the movies. Baylie and I read the book this summer. Both the book and movie were fantastic. It was fun to see it with such a big group.
One of our favorite traditions is Lights On at the Zoo. It's always great to see the lights and we love our zoo.
This tree was so awesome. It would show different animals on it.
We have a tradition to make a gingerbread house, but this year we decided to make them from scratch. They were delicious! I think that will be our new tradition! So much better than from a box.
Plus we had lots of gingerbread men.
We spent a small fortune on candy.
David and the kids are always in charge of the actual construction.
The finished product was pretty amazing and very heavy with frosting.
Delicious!
This was the first time in 11 years that we had an income over Christmas so we went a little crazy. It's not as much as it looks, but it was fun to not have to wonder how we'd provide Christmas for our kids. (This tree was a skinny little one we found in the attic.)
I love being all decorated for Christmas. David and I usually get a Nutcracker for Christmas in memory of our first formal date when we were first dating.
Over the past several years, my mom has given each of her children a piece to the Precious Memories nativity. We have quite the collection now.
One day, I noticed that Jalen had rearranged some pieces. He said the drummer boy needed to play for the Baby Jesus.
We had new friends the Collinses over for Christmas Eve dinner.
It was fun to share the meal with someone.
I did all the cooking.
We acted out the Nativity. We need to step up our costumes.
Santa made his annual visit.
The kids were especially excited to have him leave hamster cages.
Plus gift card in their stocking to buy the actual hamster.
David and I actually got each other the same nutcracker this year. Whoops!
The kids and David put together the new Lego kits.
Baylie got the watch she wanted.
And the slime.
And I was thrilled with my facial mask. Beautiful.
We got together with some friends for New Year's Eve.
It was a fun little get together. (And I look haggard.)
David beat everyone in pool.
The kids set off sparklers.
For New Year's Day we had chips, dip, crackers, etc. while watching football. That's my favorite part of the holiday!
And in case you're wondering, the hamsters are adorable and doing great.
