December 2013

For memory’s sake- a little recap of the weeks leading up to Christmas this year.

December is a blur every year for us. Something about the busyness of the season on top of having both girls’ birthdays within a week of each other always makes this time of year doubly crazy for us.

I joke that our theme song is “if we can make it THROUGH December” :)

Here’s a few highlights of what we’ve been up to…

- Elf-Elf came back on December 1st and brought his annual North Pole breakfast and a few treats for the girls… We were in the middle of painting our house (more on that later), so the girls were excited for a surprise after being slightly neglected during the house painting process. :)

Speaking of Elf-Elf, he surprised us (most) mornings by being in a different spot each day. Some were funnier than others… some days we were just lucky he moved. And a few times during the month he found a place he liked and stayed there for a couple days…Ha. One day he left cards for the girls to send Santa their wish lists…

- The girls and I met Carrie, Allie Claire & Whitt one night for dinner and then “Do Art” for our annual ornament painting. The kids were so excited to see each other.

- AB had a full week of fun the last week of school. The week was full of themed days, parties, crafts and surprises. She had never been happier to be a Pre-Ker. I went in on the day they had breakfast in the classroom and cooked pancakes and sausage with a few other moms. It’s really sweet to get to see the kids in their school element.

AB’s teachers sent them home with gifts on Monday of that week

All ready for “Reindeer Day” at school on Wednesday

- We FINALLY got our tree the second week of December.

It killed me to be so behind, but sickness hit out house the end of November and it stuck around for weeks. Thankfully, we’re all better now! School germs are no fun and we have certainly learned that this year.

- AB hosted her sweet friend, Emma, after school one day for lunch and to decorate gingerbread houses and cookies.

- We saw the “Cinderella” ballet again this year. DW’s cousin’s daughter was the star of the show and we loved seeing Skylar shine as Cinderella! She was gorgeous and is such a talented dancer. (She’s also a celebrity in our house now). :) Before the show, a few of the women in our extended family met at the Ivy House for dinner before heading to Gainesville for the performance. It was a great night.

- While we’re talking ballet… our little ballerina performed a tap number to “Frosty the Snowman” for her last class before Christmas break. She was Adorable with a capital A!

- It was my FIL’s turn to host his sisters & their families for our extended family Christmas party this year. It was also a fun night and we’d planned a few surprises including a rendition of “The 12 Days of Christmas” complete with props. DW’s Granddaddy was an officer in the U.S. Army and was captured by the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge. During his time as a Prisoner of War, he wrote several letters back home. DW’s Grandmother kept all of these as well as many other letters, cards and telegrams that she received during the months her husband was a P.O.W. in a scrapbook. My FIL wanted to share these with the family and so we compiled a few of them, along with pictures and did a little presentation of them. It was really special and sweet. We also all brought food items to donate to our local food pantry. It was a really good night.

- We made our annual trek up to White Springs for the Festival of Lights with Grammy & Pop. We love seeing the oaks wrapped and I say it every year, but ONE DAY we’re going to do that, too.

The girls loved the train display, “snow,” and we even stood in line to see the big guy himself. Mamie took one look at him and shook her head “no” – so that meant Momma was going to have to be in the picture.

- We had a family date night to the Hallmark store, which is also another tradition for us.

The girls picked out their ornaments, and one for Cooper and then we had dinner at Red Robin…Yum.

This year’s ornaments were: Minnie Mouse for Mamie, a Pony for AB, and a red wagon for Coopie.

We also tried to see Santa at the mall that night, but he was leaving as we were getting there, so we missed him.

- AB did get her picture made with “Ho-Ho” at school, though.

 

- Another annual tradition is our “Light-Looking” with Uncle Adam & Nen. This year we went on a week night, which was fun. We had dinner at Cracker Barrel before and Nen had decked out her Tahoe with Christmas lights again this year, as well as printed off our scavenger hunt again. This year, we didn’t see a dolphin or the Grinch. We ended the night, like usual, where all good nights should end, at the Krispy Kreme. We all considered it a “win” when we pulled in and the “Hot Light” was on.

- We finally took a picture for a Christmas card. I took it on the 21st, added our message in Photo Shop, printed them at one hour photo, and mailed them out on the 22nd. Two years in a row of last minute cards for us. After the year we’ve had, I knew what I wanted them to say… and “A Thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices” seemed perfectly fitting. 2013 was something for both sides of our family and I’m pretty sure I can speak for all of us when I say we were feeling a little weary by the end of the year. There have been many fun times and great memories in 2013, too, but it’s also been a bit of a rough one and we were ready to see the calendar roll over to 2014!

- AB was in our church’s Children’s Christmas Program. She was a Christmas Tree & an angel. Both were adorable. :)

- Christmas Eve we enjoyed our church’s candlelight service. This year DW and Adam had a part in the service as they played the part of two ranchers in a little skit. They did a great job and made us proud. After the service we always have dinner at our house and eat on the set of DW’s grandparents dishes that we have. Then we get ready for Santa to make his big visit…

~amw~