Getting ready for Christmas

I know I am going backwards now. I didn't mean to but it just happened! Gabby was a big help this year getting ready for Christmas. She helped put the tree and decorations up. We went to a friend's house and decorated gingerbread men. We also made cookies at home. She wrapped presents and even left a message on her present to Daddy. "Do not open until Christmas!"

We also attended the living nativity at a small local church. Every year they put on a nativity that not only shows the manger scene but other scenes as well. It is a whole walk through display with scenes in Herod's palace, the shepherds and the angels, the market in Bethlehem, and the manger. It is complete with real animals and everything. At the end, there is a cross and then you exit through the empty tomb. I hear that it takes more people to put on the whole thing than the church has members, which just goes to show that size should never be an excuse to do what God has called us to do. It is such a moving exhibit and helps make it more real for kids. We will miss going to this next year.

Christmas

I have still been having trouble signing in to Blogger so I am trying to get caught up while I can! Here are a few pics from Christmas. Santa came to visit and left some muddy boot prints by the back door (we don't have a fireplace). It was kinda wet here so he tracked in but was good enough to use the towel we had laid out for Jordan.

We had a good day opening presents and eating birthday cake for breakfast. In the afternoon we went to eat with a friend from Robert's office. It was a great Christmas!

Charleston

We finally made it to Charleston in mid-December. The weather was somewhat cool, windy and rainy but we still had fun. Gabby rode her first pony at the Christmas market. We went to Fort Sumter in the rain. We visited The Citadel where Robert's grandfather went to school and saw the chapel where his grandparents were married. We took in all the pretty houses and ate tons of good shrimp and grits. We also went to see the lights at the James Island County Park. Gabby made s'mores and we saw all kinds of creatures and things made from lights.

Christmas Scrapbook

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Our Little Angel

I haven't been able to get on Blogger for a week so I am even further behind! Here is Gabby at her church choir Christmas musical. She was a beautiful angel, of course, and sang wonderfully. (I did make the dress, in case anyone is wondering.)

Catching up a bit

OK, you have to look really close to see the tiny little tooth in the picture. We had to mug the poor kid to get a picture at all. He doesn't like to show his tooth, even in person. The next picture is from his 7 month birthday. He's still rocking on his hands and knees. The last picture is having fun with sissy. Sam thinks Gabby is the greatest, funniest thing. She was telling him a story last night and he was just laughing like crazy. He sure loves her!

Another funny story from last night - Gabby and I were exercising (she was telling me what to do, really) and we were lying on our sides and stretching our legs up. He looked at us, rolled on his side and put his leg up. It was so funny! He also started hanging on when you hold him and has just generally grown and behaves older. Robert weighed him in at 20 pounds a couple of days ago.

It's How Cold There??

To all our friends in Illinois, Indiana, New York, Michigan, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Antarctica and anywhere else you might be where it is cold : just wanted to let you know it was 80 degrees at our house today. I fetched the paper at 6:30 this morning in shorts and bare feet. We should turn on the A/C but I refuse to do so in December so we have the windows open and fans running. I can't exactly say we're happy about it. It does confirm my notion that I would not really like living in Hawaii due to the lack of seasons. Now, catch me in a month and a half when we have moved further midwest and ask me again....