Merry Christmas

What a wonderful Christmas! 

We were supposed to go to my parents' house earlier, but we got that snow and weren't able to make it. I HAVE to go home at Christmas, so we squeezed in a trip. We left after the last day of school (we were in SC Thursday the 19th through Saturday the 23rd)

We spent Friday in downtown Charlotte. Our first stop was the Ritz to see their giant gingerbread house! There was a little mailbox to the North Pole so the kids could send a letter to Santa

This tree is made of macaroons

Tree at Bank of America

After a yummy lunch at Newk's, we went to Founders Hall and watched the Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Symphony Orchestra. It was really cute!

We left Saturday morning and made it back in time for James's friend's birthday party. We got home around 3 and then had Seth's aunt, uncle, 2 cousins (and their husbands and children), Bobby and Brenda,  and Seth's sister's family over to our house for appetizers and cookie decorating. 

All the kids 

Of course, Mac and Bentley get in the Christmas spirit as well!

On Christmas Eve we attended TWO church services in the morning and then went to Seth's parents' house 

We had a delicious lunch that Brenda made and then enjoyed exchanging gifts

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids

The kids got spoiled. Once we came home, they set up their "offices" and put together their new Legos for the rest of the afternoon/evening. 

Meanwhile, I made dinner- our annual cornish hen with wild rice

We always eat in the dining room

Seth read the kids the Christmas story (a children's book I got Adelyn on her first Christmas that beautifully tells the story of Jesus's birth). Once the kids go to bed, Seth and I watch Christmas Vacation. 

Here are the kids on Christmas morning, so ready to turn the corner and see what Santa brought!

One of Santa's elves didn't put Geogie, the robot dog she wanted, in the sleigh. This note is explaining that it will be delivered later. Yes, this girl still believes!

I got this hat with the fox fur ball on top. We went to Montana a few days later and this thing lived on my head

Grandma and Grandpa stopped by to see the kids and eat breakfast 

We ate this yummy blueberry cream cheese pastry, bacon, and fruit

Back at it! James got the Lego Police Station and Adelyn got the Lego hospital. I would have loved that hospital when I was little 

We spent the rest of the day doing a lot of this. 

We spent Christmas evening at Seth's grandparents' house. We had a huge delicious dinner and did more gift exchanging. 

Emily baked a cake and the kids sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus

 James got a Red Rider BB gun from Martha, John, Lynn, and Ricky. He had to put on his hunting shirt, camo hat, and shooting glasses for his first shot. He's pretty pumped!

 Oh, look what was on the porch the day after Christmas! I'm not sure when or how Georgie was delivered, but this is one happy girl!

 My parents came the day after Christmas. We exchanged gifts with them. My mom found James a REAL army helmet, canteen, and satchel. It's pretty cool!

 My parents 

 Seth and Joseph

We had salmon, rice, and roasted vegetables

Rather than exchange gifts, we get this crew of cousins together. This year, we went to Get Air for some trampoline and ninja fun! 

Whew, I'm tired just recapping that. We're blessed to have so much family to share the most wonderful time of the year with. Another great Christmas in the books