It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Christmas! We had a wonderful time with our friends cheering NC State on to victory over UNC!! Then we headed to the Lights at the Zoo to start our Christmas season! We all had a blast... I met Stephen and Elise in college and it is always so nice to be able to see them and their boys!

Stephen, Anson, and Ethan with James and the kids

Ethan & Jaycie now (above)... and then (below... AWWW!)

Jess made it to the top of the rock wall... and the Palm Tree!

The kids also spent a lot of time preparing for the Christmas Play at church. They have been practicing since September and it turned out absolutely wonderful! They did "Back to the Manger"... Jessica introduced the play... Jaycie sang a duet... Jamie was an angel... and Jacob was a shepherd. But... Jacob followed the wrong star and sat in my lap during the play! The play really reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas!

Matthew is just too cute... he came out during the 70,s song!

Jamie & Jacob also did a Christmas Program at preschool. They had lines to recite and they did such a great job! Jamie: "N is for Noel, we all sing on earth." Jacob: "O is for the oxen, the first to adore him." We are thankful for all their teachers... they do such a wonderful job!

And, of course, we had to visit Santa! Jacob is always a character... when Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas, he said "I want a remote control airplane... do you know how to make that?" This was the first year Jamie would talk to Santa... she was so proud of herself!
And... as always... there were many sweet treats to prepare! Colin and Anderson joined us in making graham cracker gingerbread houses. They enjoyed putting together their own creation... and they REALLY enjoyed eating it!

The way they act when not being bribed... ha ha!
And finally... Raymond is ready, too!