December Snow

The middle of December contained a record breaking snow storm (3rd highest snowfall for Greensboro in history) which meant a 9-day break from school and cancellation of all of our usual activities.  I think that maybe in the midst of all the holiday planning and chaos, during a time of year when our calendars are jammed packed, God was telling us to slow down and enjoy the time together.  The snow began falling on Saturday evening, and by the time we woke up, almost a foot had fallen!  

The kids got new sleds as early Christmas presents, and these provided hours of fun over the next few days:

We stopped counting at 14 inches (and didn't really want to know anymore!) and stayed warm, cozy, and safe.  We even braved losing power on Day 2 of the storm for most of the day.  Luckily, our gas fireplace provided heat in our family room and we stored many of our perishable food items outside in the snow to stay cold.  It wasn't fun to be without electricity or water, but at least it was brief and we are thankful that it was restored quickly.  

We had the brilliant idea to celebrate our family Christmas during the snow storm, too.  The kids visited the School Store the Friday before the big snow, and purchased gifts for each other and for Mommy & Daddy.  We gave L&L our presents to them (we do this early every year since we travel for Christmas and the kids receive other presents from grandparents, etc. then), and this meant that there were new toys and games to keep everyone entertained during our snow days at home:

The only gift that I may have been regretting a week into being homebound may have been that Harry Potter book of songs for the recorder, but Luke certainly enjoyed it:

We stayed in our pajamas, baked Christmas cookies, read lots of books, and the kids were wonderful about playing outside in the snow independently each day.  Our neighbor across the street had Bobcat/snowplow hiding in his garage and kindly plowed our driveway and the entire cul de sac, so Daddy was able to return to work and we could venture out to the grocery store by mid-week. 

School resumed for 5 days before Christmas break, and it was "joyful chaos" for that entire week (those poor teachers!).  There were class parties, themes each day (Christmas Sock Day, Holiday Hat Day, Pajama Day, Candy Gram Day, etc), and performances by both of our little stars:  

Leah's class on Pajama Day!

The ORES Jumpers did a special holiday performance for the school, and we are still amazed at how cool it is to watch the Jumpers in action:

The second grade performed "December Around the World", and although Leah's class didn't have Germany this year (click here for a reminder of Luke's experience), the entire grade had the honor of singing "Pickle in a Tannenbaum", which brought back so many memories.  In fact, when I received the notice of what Leah's class was supposed to wear for the performance and it said, "Holiday Attire (anything red or green)", and NOT leiderhosen and Alpine hats, I felt like the universe was in our favor:

December Around the World!

The weekend after the snow storm also brought our annual Children's Christmas Program at church.  These sweet kiddos did an amazing job telling the story of Jesus' birth, and I was a bit nervous, since everyone had been cooped up at home all week.  This picture truly captures the moment (and the unpredictability of preschoolers), and makes me giggle:

Can you spy the barnyard brawl between 2 brothers who were farm animals?

What better way to end our December snow storm than with these precious children sharing the Christmas story with our church family and preparing our hearts for the best gift of all?! 

Deck the Halls!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and we are getting into the Christmas spirit around here.  Our tree is decorated, thanks to these two sweet little elves:

L&L's 2018 ornaments are adorable new additions to our tree:

For our basketball-loving girl!

A "boom box” for this guy, who asks to listen to "107.5"
 (top 40 radio station) every chance that he gets!

As you can see, our magic Santa hats have reappeared this December, and it's my favorite thing in the world to see my sleeping babies dreaming in their hats each year:

We also attended LoveFeast at Wake Forest for the first time as a family.  This was such a special part of my college experience, and it is held in Wait Chapel, which is the gorgeous focal point of our university. The Lovefeast is a Christian gathering which includes carols and the Christmas message.  It has been a tradition for the Wake Forest community since it was started by two Moravian students in the 1960's, and now more than 4,000 people attend.  Lovefeast is livestreamed around the globe, and is one of Wake's loveliest and most beloved traditions:

In Apostolic times, Christians shared meals called Agape (from the Greek word meaning love).  Moravian sweet rolls and hot apple cider are passed to everyone in attendance at Lovefeast:

My heart.

O Come All Ye Faithful by candlelight. It takes my breath away.  Every. Single. Time.

Luminaries lined the quad, and after the Lovefeast, we walked outside to see all of the beautiful lights adorning campus at dusk:

Lovefeast encourages us to be lights in the world (Matthew 5:14-16), and I love this message as we prepare for Christmas:

 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

My lights in the world.

We also saw Santa and Mrs. Claus last weekend, and the children told him what was on their wish lists this year.  Luke would like a rock tumbler and a NERF Dreadbolt crossbow.  Leah asked for a blue EzyRoller riding scooter:

The second grade decorated gingerbread houses last week, and we love this December tradition at school:

Leah, Josie Kate, Gracyn, and Landis = 4 sweet friends.

The ORES Varsity Jumpers Team was invited to be in the Stokesdale Holiday Parade last weekend, and we cheered on Luke as he jumped rope & rode on the Jumpers float:

Watching the parade!

This was such a fun day, and many of the parade participants throw candy out to children who are watching.  Leah collected TONS of candy, which she kindly shared with her brother afterward.  The candy sorting and trading kept these two occupied all afternoon!

Welcome, December!

It sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Fort Lauderdale

On Tuesday morning of our vacation in Orlando, we returned to Islands of Adventure for one last hurrah at Universal.  We went on several rides that we hadn't had a chance to visit on Sunday and explored Seuss Landing, which was a whimsical and adorable section of the park.  I love all-things Dr. Seuss, and this part of Islands of Adventure contained many cute rides and a large playground:

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

We also saw a great Christmas show called the "Grinchmas Who-Liday Spectacular" and were thankful for fewer people at the park on our last morning there.  After lunch, we drove our rental car to Beanie's house in Fort Lauderdale, where Luke & Leah promptly scooped up Mia and smothered her with attention for the rest of our trip!

Beanie made dinner for us and we went out for ice cream afterward at Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor, which is a south Florida favorite!

On Wednesday, we drove to Miami for a special airboat tour at Everglades Safari Park.  This was such a unique experience, and we saw lots of incredible wildlife, including egrets, herons, and alligators:

Posing in front of an airboat.

Great Blue Heron (wingspan of over 6 feet!)

Gator beside our boat!

The airboat skimmed right over these plants and tall grasses in the water.

Can you spy the mama gator?

After our airboat tour, we saw the Gator Show and the kids had a chance to hold "Snappy", a baby alligator:

Back at Beanie's house, we also saw some interesting wildlife while we were hanging out at the pool.  Iguanas are a common sight on her roof and window sills, and blend right in with all the other lush green vegetation:

Look above the door on the roof shingles!

On Wednesday night, we went out to a great Cuban restaurant and shared several platters of authentic Cuban food.  The kids tried plaintains (which they really liked), empanadas, croquetas, & tostones, and we were proud of their adventurous attitudes.  Luke ordered a Cuban sandwich for dinner and asked if I could make this at home sometime, and we had so much fun during our special culinary experience.  

We kicked off Thanksgiving morning by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, where it was one of the coldest years on record in NYC.  It seemed surreal that we then hopped in the car and spent the morning on the beach.  How fun to be swimming in the ocean in November!     

Buried by her two favorite guys.

These two wore coordinating fall attire for Thanksgiving dinner...

...and sweet Mia tolerated LOTS of snuggles from her cousins:

Thanksgiving dinner was a delicious feast, and wonderful end to our Florida trip.  On Friday morning, we drove back to Orlando and flew home (where it was NOT warm or sunny):

Thank you, Beanie, for an awesome time!