Christmas in PA

 

Part 2 of Christmas week was spent in Pennsylvania with Mimi & Grandpa.  We arrived on Christmas Eve and attended a 5 p.m. family-friendly church service.  The weather forecasters predicted a white Christmas, and the first snowflakes fell as we were getting dressed for church.  Luke looked at the window and asked, "What are those, Mommy?"  He was 2 when he last saw snow, and only remembered the white stuff on the ground, not falling from the sky!  This was the first snowfall for Leah to be old enough to enjoy, too, as she was just 3 days old the last time we had a winter storm in SC.  We posed for pictures dressed in our Christmas best, and by the time church was over, there was a blanket of snow on the ground, and it was a perfect, pristine, snowy evening.   

 

We sprinkled reindeer food on the ground to help Santa's sleigh find the way, ate a delcious Christmas Eve dinner, and changed into cozy pjs before preparing a cookie plate for Santa:

 

 

 

True to tradition, we read Twas the Night Before Christmas before nestling the children snug in their beds (where visions of sugarplums surely danced in their heads): 

 

 

Early on Christmas morning, we awoke to discover that Santa had indeed visited.  There were stockings full of goodies for everyone,

and new toys straight from Santa's workshop at the North Pole:

 

Leah's present from Santa was a stroller, high chair, and Pack N' Play for her baby dolls.  She is turning into a little Mommy and loved pushing her babies around in her new stroller on Christmas morning.  Luke received the Batman Bat Cave that he wanted so badly, and his new interest in superheroes was a recurring theme in his gifts this year:

The only thing that could tear our children away from opening presents was the opportunity to play in the snow on this White Christmas.  They had a wonderful, full day sledding, playing with toys, and opening gifts, and are such great ages to believe in the magic of the holiday:

 

I loved the Luke and Leah's holiday outfits this year.  Besides their matching dressy Christmas clothes, the kids had 3 pairs of coordinating pajamas (Santa, reindeer, and snowmen), and several casual outfits that matched (snowman shirts, Christmas tree shirt/dress, and lots of red & white).  It's a challenge to find coordinating attire for a boy and a girl, but thanks to grandparents, we had a great collection of Christmas outfits this holiday season.

 

My most precious Christmas memory involves Luke at the Christmas Eve church service (and I didn't think anything would ever top sweet baby Leah's open-mouthed singing of "Angels We Have Heard on High" last year!). Somehow we miraculously made it all the way through the service with our two young children, to the final hymn, "Silent Night"(without having to excuse ourselves early due to a possible melt-down). The lights dimmed, and everyone in the congregation held lit candles and sang in unison. I looked over at Luke as he gazed down at his own candle and began softly singing in his sweet, clear voice. Tears formed in my eyes at the sight of my firstborn son, who looked just like a little angel with his face lit by candlelight, so pure and innocent. It was one of those absolutely perfect Christmas memories that I will cherish and hold in my heart forever. 

 

We had a great Christmas in PA, and were even able to stay an extra day as another winter strom brought more snow later in the week.  Here are some of our favorite pictures from Part 2 of our Christmas vacation: