Good Friends

During the Christmas break, Emma and Morgan came over to play with the boys one afternoon. They enjoy playing together and don't get to do so much due to the fact that they go to different schools. The kids spent the afternoon playing their DS systems, watching movies, and playing outside. A good time was had by all!

Laurie Grace and Nicholas Sing a Carol

Laurie Grace and Nicholas have a new favorite Christmas carol. The carol is Light of the Stable and they prefer the version by Selah. They both sing the song as they go through the house. There is not much that is better than hearing children sing praises to the Lord.

Roper Mountain Lights

On the evening of December 22, we went to see the Roper Mountain Lights in Greenville. Going to see the lights is becoming a holiday tradition for our family. The children love the light displays. Laurie Grace had to go say hello to giant snowman at the beginning of the route. You can walk through part of the displays and check out artwork created by children in Greenville County schools. Kevin and Nathan have joined us in this tradition the past two years.

Festival of trees

some of my favorites

Nathan and Laurie put their heads together to be father Christmas

Christmas Artwork

Jonathan made this snowman in art

Nicholas did this one at Sunday School

Laurie even made something at Puggles

Jonathan did this one at school

Sunday School Class Party

On an icy Friday evening in December, our sunday school class gathered for our Christmas party at the CLC. We ate supper together and played several games like a Christmas trivia game (which I won) and a guys wrapping contest. Kevin Harrison, our class teacher, read the kids a Christmas story and the kids also received presents. They usually receive them from 'Santa' but since he couldn't make it this year due to the weather, his elf dropped them off earlier in the day. Jonathan and Nicholas both got a DS game called Puppy Playtime. Laurie Grace got a playdoh set which helped her to make some instant friends. Everyone had a good time and I am so glad that we ventured out despite the weather.

Kevin-reading the kids 'The Night Before Christmas'

Colemann

Carson and Jonathan checking out the new game

Laurie and her friends-Zoey, Palmer, and Ella Kate

my prize for winning the trivia game (gift cards to Zaxby's)

Jonathan's class party

I have the privilege of being Jonathan's room parent this year. I am having so much fun organizing the class parties and helping out in the classroom. For the Christmas party, we made candy cane ornaments, decorated doughnuts, and read 'The Night Before Christmas'. I also made snowmen with pretezels and chocolate for the kids in Jon's class. They turned out so cute!
Jonathan is having such a good time in 1st grade and he is learning so much! He loves Mrs. Evatt.

Maggie

Chapman and Jonathan

the snowmen that I made for the class...

Nicholas' program and class party

On Wednesday, December 16th Nicholas had his Christmas program followed by his class party at the ELC. The kids did a great job on their songs and finished the program by singing 'Happy Birthday Jesus' which is one of my favorites. I loved the facial expressions that Nicholas had when he sang. You can tell how well he enunciates in the video of the song. It always blesses my heart to hear children that young sing praise to our Savior!

After the program, we all headed to the classrooms for the Christmas parties. I had worked on a small gift that Nicholas could give to his class the night before. I placed an ornament and some candy in a pretty gift box. The problem was that I had to put these boxes together first...and that was no easy task! Chris had to end up helping me with the box assembly. The kids had a special snack and made reindeer food and then it was time for the gift exchange. Each child brought a $5 gift to exchange. Nicholas got the present that Jamison brought in and Chris had to help him put the car together. This was Nicholas' introduction to the idea of little legos and all the pieces that go along with it!

Christmas in Chesnee

On Sunday, December 13th we went to Chesnee to see the Christmas parade since we had missed the one in Spartanburg. The children loved the parade. They waved and said 'Merry Christmas' to everyone and they especially loved the candy that the people in the parade kept throwing at them. Before the parade though, we went to my in laws church to hear Austin (my nephew) and Corie (my niece) sing in their church's cantata. They both did great jobs! Corie even had a solo part which she did beautifully.
AUSTIN

CORIE

Laurie Grace and Taylor

Now on to some sights at the parade....It was amazing that my father in law knew just about everyone in the parade!

Guess who Nicholas was waiting to see....

Corie was in the parade. She is a part of the color guard at the high school and the band and color guard performed as part of the parade.