O Christmas Tree

We headed out one Saturday to get our Christmas tree. We usually just go to good ol' Home Depot or Lowes to get our trees (Andy usually has a coupon!) This year, he didn't have a coupon, but he did talk the manager into giving it him for a lower price. HA!

It started to snow a little while we were out. The girls don't get terribly excited about snow, but it looked pretty!

We had a few "incidents" with our tree. After it fell over twice (before it was decorated), we realized our tree stand was busted. Big mess - water and pine needles were everywhere! It was just leaned up against the wall for a few days until we could find a stand big enough for the tree.

Finally, we were able to decorate it.

(I have no idea why Emily is wearing a  dress up skirt around neck!)

Most the ornaments were hanging down at the bottom, of course. I had to do some redecorating. :)

The finishing touch!

I think this is our biggest tree yet! It is really, really wide!

Nativity

To get the Christmas season underway, we had a special night of just setting up our Nativity. Emily was very gentle with the figurines since she understood they were "fragile." We read the story of the birth of Jesus and explained that this was the true meaning of Christmas... not just Santa. I think this is a tradition we will continue every year.

That same week, we went to the Christmas Creche Celebration at church. The had a live nativity, various choirs singing, a room with a ton of nativity sets on display and a children's nativity room. Emily was so cute taking the time to look at each nativty. She loved the tiny ones and any that sparkled.  In the children's room, they dressed up as an angel and Mary. Sarah did NOT want to put back the baby Jesus.

Museum of Natural Science

Our lastest Joyschool activity was a trip to the NC Musuem of Natural Science. The kids love it and I love that it's FREE!

The girls... and Landen!

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Emily wore a tiara because she is a princess, of course!

Sarah was so excited when she found baby Ian sitting in the stroller!
 She gave him a sweet head rub and kiss!

Emily's favorite exhibit was the dinosaurs!

I LOVE MY FAMILY!

I always cherish my family around the Holidays. I'd like to think I do year round, but especially during the holidays. Here are the people that mean the world to me.

Of course, my hubbie and girls!

 

My sister Christine and family

My little sister, Ashley and family

My mom and Larry and all the grandchildren

My spunky grandma (the girls great grandma). She was tearing it up on the dance floor at the wedding!

The girls with my dad. Sarah looks a lot like my dad's baby pictures. I see some resemblance here in the eyes.

Wedding

After Thanksgiving, we all headed up to Prattsburgh, NY for my cousin Cody's wedding. Friday night we went to the rehearsal dinner.

After the dinner, we were able to get in a family photo of EVERYONE! It was the first time in a very, very long time that we were all together.

My grandma is sitting down and she has 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Saturday was the wedding and Nicholas and Leland were the ring bearer and flower girl.

They were so cute!

After the wedding ceremony, we took the kids back to the house (my aunt had arranged some babysitters for the kids) and then we went to the reception.

Aunt Joan and Uncle Mike (parents of the bride)

Isn't she beautiful??!

Us and the bride

My mom and her mom and sisters

It as such a nice trip. My aunt found a beautiful, huge house on the lake. The kids had a blast together.

There were snow flurries, so they ran around outside.

Then Nana came over with playdoh and they each had a creation to display.

But most of all, they just acted silly together.

 And watched TV

 This picture is my favorite! Nana wanted the kids to sing "Go Tell it on the Mountain." A few joined in, including Sarah who was singing (the wrong words) at the top of her lungs! I think she even had the paper upside down.

Such a fun trip!