Christmas

Christmas Eve is here!

Each year the time seems to pass faster and faster. Seems like just yesterday we were jumping off the diving board in ninety degree heat, and here we are celebrating Christmas? 

The boys attended HHCC's Father/Son Christmas Eve Breakfast.

This is a picture that the club's photographer took and sent to me - I just love it!

 

While the boys were at lunch I spent the afternoon delivering Kringles to friends and chatting with other friends as they dropped in to deliver goodies to our house. Delivering the kringles is one of my favorite traditions - I think I delivered 22 this year! 

We attended the five o'clock Christmas Eve service at church - Chapman, Nancy, Kate, George and Sam joined us too. I took the above picture of Sam and Charlie during Silent Night. Charlie adores Sam - and Sam is so good with him. We all met back at our house to exchange gifts and then caravanned back out to Hickory for dinner. We were seated in the pub ... my favorite room and it was so cozy. A perfect dinner on Xmas Eve.

Christmas Morning came early ... and Santa didn't disappoint! We opened, and opened, and opened. So many treasures for Charlie and so many thoughtful gifts from family and friends.

Soon after we were on the road again and headed to Carthage. More gifts and another great meal. We spent the afternoon opening and eating with family. It was a great day!

Charlie had asked for "Pop the Pig" a game where you feed a pig so many cheese burgers until his stomach pops ... I of course declined the request.  Charlie got the game - first present he opened from Aunt Aggie ... The Aunts always come through!

The Christmas Season

Hey ... anyone still interested in reading this ol' blog?
Did everyone get the memo that Josh's sister got married???
So sorry for the delay .... I have several posts ready to go, so stay tuned!

Let's catch up on the holidays ... shall we?

Often times, the weeks leading up to Christmas can be the most fun. Parties to attend, programs to watch, gifts to wrap, goodies to bake. We fill our days and nights leading up to the big day to the brim.But it is always a good time.

We started off the week on Sunday at HHCC for "Brunch with Santa" Charlie was ready with his list. After a fun meal with friends Charlie and dad headed downstairs to decorate ginger bread houses while mom headed upstairs to celebrate the "golden birthday" of a very special friend, Miss Lauren.

 

It was a super fun afternoon.

Monday was Charlie's Christmas program and party at school.

After the party we loaded up the car and dropped Charlie in Carthage with grandma and grandpa and Josh and I headed North to join Barbie and Brent in KC for a night and a few shopping days. This is always a good time to cross a few last minute gifts off my list, and enjoy a night away from the madness at home! The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time!

Wednesday night was Charlie's choir performance at church. I just love seeing him and his pals, in their angelic robes! So sweet. They sang Silent Night and did so well. Here he is with Jack G. and William.

Grandma and Grandpa came too!

Thursday evening, the Ladies of Provence celebrated with our annual gift exchange, this year at Kate's House. Such Fun!

This group of friends have become so special this year. These are the parents of Charlie's soccer team buds. It's such a fun group when we are all together and the mom's have started meeting once a month for dinner which is so fun! We decided to let the men in on the Xmas Party- where we shared in a fun dinner and white elephant gift exchange at HHCC. Needless to say it became and extra fun night!

We hit the road early the next morning for an icy drive to Carthage to pick up the rest of the fam and head to Butler to be with the Armstrong side to celebrate Christmas. It was such a fun day of Food, Family, Gifts and Laughs. Wonderful to all be together and celebrate this time of year!

Charlie got a hold of the camera ... His shots are always too funny!

Monday night Uncle Dick and Dorsey, Grandpa, Aunt NeeNee and Jess made the trip down to Springfield to have dinner with us at our house. I whipped up some spaghetti last minute and we had a wonderful evening - so glad they made the trip.

The next morning was a bit slower paced ...

 

Took a free minute as a chance to capture a few pictures
of our Christmas decorations.

 

Another magical Christmas Season.