More Celebrating

It's been 4 years since we braved the lines of cars and went to see lights in McAdenville, NC.  The kids had been begging to go back, so we decided this was the year.

We didn't make it quite as early in the season as we were hoping, but we headed out just as it got dark and the lines weren't too bad.  The weather would have made it a perfect night to walk.

The number of houses and businesses that get decked out in this town is so impressive--no wonder they attract thousands of people!

We had another cookie decorating party with Bean's friends. They have so much fun doing this each year--it's a favorite afternoon for everyone.

4 types of cookies and two parties later and I'd say we've got the food celebrating down, with plenty of time to keep practicing!

When 9 year olds are in charge of the cookie decorating, there ends up being way more frosting, candy, and sprinkles than any respectable gingerbread should need, but they seem to love the results--both in looks and taste, haha. (I'll keep eating the unfrosted ones--they're my favorite!)

And we thought we'd do something fun with the Saturday morning pancakes today. Just making things festive however we can!

The Changing of the Season

We got lucky with a really pleasant day for the start of winter and decided that the perfect way to enjoy it was to head to the new ropes course out at the White Water Center.

The kids had so much fun!

Being part monkey, this was right up their alley.

There's quite a variety of challenges as you make your way through the course.

This girl was right at home.

I thought it was pretty fun, too. Definitely a different type of workout than I'm used to!

We feel pretty lucky that we live somewhere that has these surprisingly warm winter days, but that we also get a little snow here and there. It's the perfect mix.

We'll be back for more rope play for sure!

Love This Family!

We had a friend take a few pictures of us after church, in hopes of getting a Christmas card photo. Now we'll see if I manage to get them put together.

It's so hard to get 5 people smiling and looking the right way at the same time, haha. But I love these people.

 

Neighborly Traditions

One of our favorite events each year is when we get to gather with our neighbors. We didn't start the tradtion, but when the friends who did moved away, we decided to keep it going because we love our neighbors and love gathering together for a couple hours each December. We don't always see a lot of each other as the weather turns colder and we aren't out and about as much, so this is such a fun time.

 So grateful for this special man who brings the music each year.  He's actually moved away from the neighborhood, but we wouldn't miss having him and his wife there with us--he makes the party.

And so grateful for all of the good food that everyone shares!

We had all types of entertainment happening--accordion music, piano, and lots of general chaos and hilarity from the kids.

The kids even got glammed up,

So fancy!

Peanut is the youngest from this part of the neighborhood--no other little kids. But he had a great time hanging with the adults and enjoying the music.

We were glad that Rara and Unkie made it in time for our party. The Christmases when they come out to stay are so much more Christmasy!

 

Nativity Festival 2013

This is one of our favorite Christmas traditions each year--the Nativity Festival at our church with hundreds of nativities.

This year, one family shared their Jerusalem village. It was absolutely in incredible and spread across several tables!

Bug was entranced by the miniatures.

It's always fun to see the variety--these were made from rolled paper,

and this bear one was so cute.

The kids loved it!

People have collected them from all over the world.

And made out of all different materials. I am a huge fan of the really small sets.

And then there is the dress up area.

Peanut was so cute with his donkey costume.

The room was really well done this year--loved the back drop.

The kids have so much fun in this room.

This is usually one of the first Christmas events each year and it's a fun way to start our celebrations and remind us of what this season is all about.

Uptown Christmas

Great night in Uptown! We started with the tree lighting, which was a lot of fun.

The kids got to meet Rudolph (Peanut was NOT a fan--still not into characters.)

And then we grabbed some dinner before. . .

going to the hockey game thanks to the B of A corporate box--gotta love the little perks! Peanut loved his first hockey game. And the other kids really liked all the free food in the box. We shouldn't have bothered with dinner first!

Live music and perfect weather made for a great night to wander around Uptown. We have such a great little city.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The season is going strong in the Nutty house (or maybe it's just the nut house--depends on the day).

After Thanksgiving, we headed to Latta Plantation for some old fashioned Christmas fun.

We saw how wood toys are made.

Met St. Nick.

And talked to some civil war soldiers about Christmas on the battlefront.

 

The rest of the weekend was spent pulling out decorations and getting the tree and village set up.  (And undecorating, if your name is Peanut.  Apparently this is his year to wreak havoc on the tree.)

 

Daddy-o did take out a few hours to work on the bathroom.

 

Things may not be going entirely according to plan.  (No one was hurt, except the ceiling to the dining room.  And this does mean that we'll get to remove the popcorn ceilings in the room.  2 rooms down, a dozen more to go.)

 

All in all, it was a fun weekend.  Some parts more so than others.

And once again, I'm working on Journal Your Christmas.  This year, I decided to use one of my other, long neglected blogs, so the daily updates will be over here:  http://monthlymamamiscellany.blogspot.com/