Fletcher United Methodist Church International Advent Festival
Our church held their annual International Advent Festival the weekend before Thanksgiving since the holiday was later this year. We met up with the Ogrens and the kids had so much fun making crafts and sampling food from around the world. They made lots of new ornaments for their little tree!
Christmas Pajama Pictures
We took some really cute Christmas PJ pictures with Mae while at Aunt Laura's house for Thanksgiving. I ended up using photos from this day for our Christmas Card and for Jim & Sandy's calendar.
Christmas Tree Day
Daddy's family joined us for our annual trip to Sandy Hollar Farm to cut down our Christmas Tree. Everyone really enjoyed the hayride up the mountain and hot chocolate afterwards. We all found the perfect trees and Daddy's pants were the only causality, which he somehow split! He had to wear his jacket around his waist at our lunch stop on the way home!
As usual, the tree was a lot bigger inside than out. We had to try a few different places before finding the perfect spot! We have declared this year's tree as the best one we've ever had!
Polar Express
We went to the Polar Express in Bryson City the day after getting our Christmas Tree. Even with the chilly, rainy weather we still had a great time! We ate dinner at our favorite deli and then boarded for our ride to the North Pole. And the best news is Lydia didn't spill her hot chocolate on our feet like she did last year!
Holiday Shop & Cookies and Cocoa with Santa
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa
The first week of December was busy for us. I worked at the school's holiday shop all day most days, had a few meetings in the evenings, and we had Cookies and Cocoa on Friday evening. We also had Lydia's four year well check. It was a long, but successful week!
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa
We won a basket from the raffle at Cookies and Cocoa!
PTO Holiday Shop
My braid vs. My Friend's Braid
(I need a lot of practice!)
Lydia had great check-up!
Christmas in the Park
Daddy had a continuing education course the first weekend in December, so he didn't get to come to Christmas in the Park with us. We missed him, but enjoyed a beautiful afternoon outside. The kids loved ice skaking and taking our picture in the giant snow globe!
December 14th Weekend
By the second weekend in December we had all our Christmas decorations up and were excited to have Grandma and Grandaddy stop by for a short visit on Saturday morning. The kids gave them the presents they chose for them from the Holiday Shop and they treated us to a yummy lunch at Tupelo Honey.
The kids were in the church Christmas program this year. They had rehearsal on Saturday afternoon before the performance on Sunday. They were the cutest angel and shepherd I've ever seen!
We also made Christmas cookies with Meme this weekend!
Christmas Parties and Programs
During the last week of school before Christmas break, the kids both had fun holiday parties at school and Lydia had her school Christmas program. And Jacob lost his FIRST tooth at school!!! It was an exciting week!
Christmas with Meme
We spent the weekend before Christmas celebrating with my family. We gathered at Meme's house on Friday to eat, exchange presents, and enjoy some time together!
Christmas with Papa
The next morning everyone gathered at our house for brunch and to celebrate with Papa. Uncle Andrew got the big kids cameras, so there was lots delighted picture taking going on!
I think its safe to say we partied hard this weekend!
Christmas Eve
Jacob and Lydia were so excited to wake up on Christmas Eve morning! Daddy didn't have to go to work and we started the day off with a big breakfast and homemade hot chocolate. Later on Papa joined us and we went to lunch at Luella's and enjoyed some time outside. That evening we went to the Christmas Eve Service at church before coming home to set out Santa's cookies!
Christmas Day
We had some VERY excited kids on Christmas morning! We had the most wonderful, relaxed morning opening stockings and presents. I loved seeing how excited they got over every single gift. Jacob's big present was a telescope and Lydia's was a big girl bike! The beautiful weather continued, so that afternoon we took the bikes to Fletcher Park. That evening Meme joined us for Christmas dinner. Lydia was wiped out by her normal bedtime, but we let Jacob stay up to watch "A Christmas Story" with us. It really was a perfect day!
11th Anniversary
Scott and I celebrated 11 years of wedded bliss on December 27th! Meme kept the kids for us and we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Bone Fish Grille. I can't believe we've been married for 11 years and am so grateful for the life we share together!
Christmas Break
We had the best weather over Christmas break and definitely took advantage by getting outside together. We took a family hike up Bearwallow Mountain one afternoon and the kids and I went to the Nature Center one day while Daddy was at work.
New Year's Eve
Like last year, we went to the "Noons" Year Eve Party at the library on New Year's Eve and then met Daddy for lunch. We had lots of fun making crafts and watching the balloon drop at 12. That evening we had sparkling cider and watched a New Years Countdown on Netflix. I wonder how much longer we'll be able to trick Jacob into believing he's stayed up until midnight?!
2019 was a year with some extreme highs and lows, but I'm so incredibly grateful for all the wonderful times with our little family. I know we have so much to be thankful for and don't take our life for granted. I'm excited to see what the New Year will bring!
