Okay, here you go. An overwhelmingly long post that bundles all of December into one!
The month started out with a trip to Nashville by way of Birmingham. We spent an early Christmas with Woody's family and enjoyed a couple of days of play...
Chloe seems to be taking after her big sis, Esther, with looks to kill!
fun at the park
sitting 'round the Christmas tree enjoying the train with Dagan
opening stockings...
After celebrating Christmas, Woody and I were able to leave all 3 girls (for the first time!) and head up to Nashville for a little anniversary celebration and to attend a dear friend's wedding. Woody and I were able to spend some time in downtown Franklin...love this place!
The bride and groom... a beautiful couple and a beautiful venue...
Woody and Michael helping take chairs to the pavilion while Katheryn and I were bundled under a blanket with our hand warmers! Katheryn, it was so great seeing ya'll and I'm glad we got to keep each other warm or at least try! :)
I still think it's so neat that Woody and I both know Amy, but from before we knew each other. Woody and Amy were in youth group together and remained friends over the years, and Amy and I were partner teachers in China...wo ai ni miss amy!
Back at home, we really enjoyed going through an advent devotional book with the girls each night before bed. They also really got into singing Christmas carols this year, as well as role playing the Christmas story!
For those who may have seen a post on facebook of Arden and Esther playing Mary and baby Jesus, here are the pictures...
Arden said to Esther, "When you grow up, you're going to die on the cross, ok?" Esther replied, "I don't wanna grow up."
playing shepherds in the yard
One Friday evening, we went to the church where Arden goes to school for a fun night of lights and activities...
At this display of the "Charlie Brown" nativity, they had a recording of Lionus (I think!?) reciting Luke 2:8-14. Arden also learned these verses this year and thought it was so cool that he knew her Bible verse too!
the annual Holly Jolly Trolley with our church...Esther isn't pictured b/c she was in the arms of one of her favorite people, Danielle, the whole evening!
we got together with some friends from church to make "gingerbread" houses...
Chloe sneaking some graham cracker goodness.
Esther's final masterpiece.
At home, making Christmas cookies...
This was our first Christmas to be home for Christmas Eve and Christmas day with the girls. Christmas Eve our church had "Carols by candlelight" where we sang and Scripture was read from the downtown gazebo.
Christmas morning, we had our neighbors over for brunch and enjoyed the day relaxing. Woody took the girls to the park in the afternoon while I packed and got us ready to go visit G.G. and Papa for a few days. Here are a couple of shots from Christmas day...I really didn't take many, believe it or not!
We also sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and had a cake (not my finest creation by any means!!), but the girls LOVED this and it brought up a lot of great questions and conversation with them.
This was my gift to Woody. For more of an explanation, see the previous post!
And moving on to our final happenings in December...visiting my family in GA.
Before the madness of opening presents with everyone!
our first afternoon it snowed!! okay, so it didn't really stick. at all. but for this FL family, it was quite the treat!
Arden maybe lasted 5 minutes outside, but this little girl could have stayed out all afternoon if we had let her!
Jenni braving the cold to be out with us...
Curt and Chloe, eyeing the goodies he was feeding her!
And viola, there you go...our December happenings! We really had a fun filled time with family and friends celebrating the birth of our Savior throughout the month!
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