Christmas 2017

Christmas came and went so fast! Before I knew it, nor was ready for it, November was over and Christmas was upon us! Yikes! Even with all the craziness with my mom in and out of the hospital and lots of follow up appointments we were still able to get in some of our favorite Christmas traditions and make some fun memories. 

First up was the Greensboro Christmas parade! The parade is always so much fun. We ended up running into some friends and enjoyed watching the parade with them.

I had my own personal lap warmer with this cutie. I was also in charge of covering her ears anytime a marching band came by. Apparently it was way too loud for her. 

David had fun visiting and catching up with Brady and Finley got to hold their sweet new baby. 

My favorite part of the parade is always the marching bands. We spotted some of our friends' children in the marching band this year. Way to go B! By the end of the two hour parade we were cold and ready to pack it in. We were also stuffed with lots of free candy :). 

At home we decorated the house. Finley was notorious for constantly changing the Nativity scene to keep things interesting...

David's office always decorates with a huge tree made out of poinsettia plants. After Christmas is over you can even take one home for free! We stopped by and visited the Santa at Friendly Center. Some how I always get talked into buying a picture package. We also added a new tradition to our holiday activities. A local church hosted an out door, walk through, live nativity and tour. It was fantastic! I didn't take any pictures, but we will definitely do it again next year. They had several live scenes that you would walk through as a tour guide told you the Christmas story. It was so much fun and really helped us to focus on our Savior. 

We were able to host Christmas Eve dinner at our house again this year. 

It was so nice to have everyone over and celebrate with my mom feeling so well. 

Since Michelle and Donovan were still in NYC with a two week run of Dorrance Dance, we decided to have the Elders over to fill their seats. 

Finley and Pop Pop decided to take them down in Risk. Such an appropriate Christmas Eve game to play!

David and I cooked up our traditional beef tenderloin meal. It turned out great! Even my Uncle Pete, the restaurant owner, said so :). 

Grammie & Abuelo were able to join us up from Myrtle Beach as well. 

My Uncle Pete and his wife Dolly also made the drive over from Hillsborough. 

Here's the whole gang!

It was a very low key Christmas Eve and we were very Grateful for that!

After opening our Christmas jammies and leaving milk and cookies out for Santa, it was time to hit the sack! We were so on top of things we didn't have to stay up late and even snuck in an episode of Stranger Things.

Christmas morning was spent at our house opening stockings and presents. 

Finley was excited to get a forensic science kit and Battleship from Grammie & Abuelo. 

We even got a gift certificate to the Great Wolf Lodge from the Beans! 

Finley's big Christmas present from Santa was a new basketball and big boy basketball hoop for our driveway! 

Santa and his helpers spent about 4.5 hours putting this bad boy together, so he better use it every day!

After presents at our house we headed over to Chapel Hill to have brunch with my parents and Pete and Dolly. I realize I didn't take a whole lot of pictures there! Ooops!

We didn't do a big gift exchange this year because Christmas afternoon we flew up to NYC to visit Michelle and Donovan and see their show! Instead of exchanging gifts with my side of the family we spent the money on our New York trip. More on that trip to come! 

Merry Christmas Everyone!