December Festivities

I can't believe Christmas is just a few days away! The last month has flown by and we have been super busy. Luckily all the shopping is done, the presents are wrapped, and now it is time to enjoy spending time with friends and family and celebrate the birth of our Savior. 

We were able to attend the Christmas parade downtown this year. 

It was a little chilly, but sitting in the sun warmed us up! This float cracked me up. It seemed a little empty to me. 

And there was a missile in the parade. Or a rocket? Not sure how that fits with the Christmas parade, but whatever.  

We always look forward to the fun balloons! 

And of course all the folks who give out candy. 

The NC A & T band is always a big hit.  

And I love seeing the Grinch! 

Without fail we always see at least one person in the parade that we know. This year we spotted Brandon from church with his school marching band. Way to go B! Finley said seeing him was his favorite part of the whole parade. (Even more exciting than Santa!)

 This is the UNC-G mascot. Go Spartans!

And the parade is never complete without seeing Santa.

We had a great afternoon at the parade. 

And the weather turned out beautiful! 

One day after a school field trip let out early David took Finley over to visit with Santa. I don't normally splurge and buy the photos, but apparently David didn't get the memo about this and so he bought some. Oh well. Santa told Finley he was bringing him a surprise and Finley can't wait to see what it is!

This year, for the first time, we headed over to this awesome neighborhood that hangs these lighted Christmas balls all throughout it. 

The pictures really don't do it justice. 

It was pretty crowded driving around through the area, but it was still fun!

After checking out the Christmas lights we headed over to Greensboro College to see a Nativity display. 

It starts off with Joseph and Mary looking for an inn.  

It shows the shepherds and their flock.  

 

And the whole Nativity. 

 

 It also shows the wise men arriving and then Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fleeing to Egypt.

 The weather here has been so unseasonably warm that it was the perfect night to be out and about.

I definitely think this is a new tradition that we will try to repeat. 

We are all very excited for Christmas and to spend time with our family and friends.

Thanksgiving 2015

For Thanksgiving this year we headed over to Chapel Hill for several days. My brother and sister were both in town too! It was so nice to have my whole family together.  We have so much to be grateful for and my family is at the top of that list!

 

One of my besties from high school moved back to NC so now I get to see her more often! I am so excited about this. I love my Rizzo! On Wednesday night we went out to a show at the Cradle where one of Michelle's good friends from high school was singing with her band. It was a lot of fun and Miriam is also an amazing singer.

Thanksgiving day we had another zombie Thanksgiving this year. That is where we host my dad's team at my Uncle's restaurant after his team loses in the NCAA tournament. Everyone is always sad the season is over (early) and there isn't a big crowd since there aren't any more games and the players usually travel home. But we still get together anyways with the players that aren't able to travel home last minute.

While we helped in the kitchen and got the restaurant set up Finley had fun watching the parade and playing games with Wendy and Zach.

I love my brother and sister!

They make me so happy. 

Our family may be small, but I love them to pieces. I am so grateful for a wonderful hard working husband and the sweetest little boy in the world. 

We are also so grateful for all of Michelle's recent success! So excited for her dance company and what the future holds for her. The sky's the limit!

My brother is so sweet, sensitive, and caring. He is also funny, creative, and very talented musically. One day he is going to be an amazing husband and great dad. Finley really enjoyed playing Pokemon cards with Uncle Donovan too.

David and Finley also enjoyed getting to play our old school Nintendo at my parent's house. Those two were addicted to it! And David was proud to show off his mad skills playing Super Mario 3 with Finley.

While in Chapel Hill we ate way too much good food.

Isn't that always the case though? I mean we have to hit up some of our favorite places to eat while in town on top of all the Thanksgiving food.

My sister was kind enough to head up to campus with us one afternoon and take our 'Christmas Card' photos for us. I had packed long sleeves and sweaters for us to wear and it was in the mid 60s! We were a little warm to say the least!

And here are a few things I am most grateful for this season: 

My Family - I love our family so much!

Living in this country where we are safe and enjoy so many freedoms.

Our Savior - His grace, mercy, example, and sacrifice.

Our beloved prophet President Thomas S. Monson and the leaders of our church who sacrifice so much of their time.

Having a warm home, a car that works, Internet, and other luxuries that are often taken for granted.

David's job, my job, and Finley's wonderful teachers.

Modern medicine and technology that can heal us and help us live longer lives.

This boy and his fun personality.

Books! I love to read and escape into a good book.

Everyone's health. Especially my mom's health and my Aunt Maggie who recently had a successful heart surgery. 

We have had some ups and downs this year for sure. But at the end of the day we are all still standing. Our Heavenly Father has made us stronger and gotten us through a lot of challenges and heartaches. And I know He will continue to do so. We can still look back and be grateful and happy with all that He has blessed us with and look forward to the future with hope.