Traditions at the Wallace's Continued...

After giving up putting the final decorations up around the house, I resolved to trying to keep well, and enjoy the traditions of the season. We had a great month of celebration. Two Birthdays, Performances, Nutcracker, Christmas Eve, and New Years Eve. We were sad that we both had the flu, which kept us from celebrating Pippy's Birthday with her. We did a drive by with her gift and watched from the doorway as she opened it.
The following week we were feeling up to going to her clogging performance at the Nativity exhibit in Kingwood. She did a great job,

 The Nativities were beautiful.

Then we were off to watch Jacob Perform in his preschool program at John Wesley. Cousin Katelyn was also participating it was fun to watch them.

This year I offered Nutcracker tickets for Christmas presents. Half of the family took me up on it. Each family got a Nutcracker book for the performers (dancers) to sign, and a nutcracker.

Laynie and Pippy with "The Prince."

 Benson, Gavin, Laynie, Bailey, Sara, Pippy

 Backstage...

Scenery

 Masks worn bt the dancers

 Pippy was thrilled to be on stage. She danced her little heart out.

 Laynie enjoyed the snow flakes. She danced around a little too.

 Pippy and the scenery

  It was a must to sit on the throne.

 Benz and Laynie finding out all the secrets of the dancers.

 Gavin had great fun throwing the snow on his Mother.

  Our last picture of the night with Sara, of course.

The gathering at our house on Christmas eve.. right before the chaos!

 This is just a sample of why it took 50 photos to get one good one...

 Snow ball fight...

Moved the pak and play for the girls fort, behind the couch was the boys. No one stay on the right sides but they had fun!

 The Nativity..

Laynie was the angel.

 Ady was our Lamb.

 Pippy was our "Wise Women."  Sporting her "Sugar Plum" crown.

 Audrey was our camel and our cow.

 Ike was a "Wiseman"

 Jake had to take his shirt off to be a bird, didn't fight that battle.

Zeke was our stubborn little donkey, who just want to go home and go to bed.

 Jamie and Becky's family and a cute photo bomb. Gavin was Joseph he was so concerned about being shorter than Mary he wanted a stool to give him the advantage.

 Brandon's and Loo's family... Bay was a beautiful Mary.

Bri and Jarod's Family

The show in action...

 Benson was our shepard.

 The angel appearing to the Shepard...

My favorite part of the night...

New Years Eve...

I got nominated to make hoagies. 

Best part of the night was watching these faces and listening to the squeals of excitement.

A couple of our Pyros!

A tradition packed month. Long live tradition!!

"I'll Be Home for Christmas."

I love being in my own home for Christmas. Actually never liked sharing it anywhere else. I think we went to our parents home once, the first year we were married. From then on it was in our own home. We get together on Christmas eve for parties, went home and did our own thing. I love the Spirit of Christmas.  I love the warm glow of lights, the smell of homemade goods, oranges, peppermint,and cinnamon. I still enjoy watching old Christmas movies, and my childhood favorites... Rudolph, Frosty, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. My hubby just rolls his eyes. I guess I love this time most because, I can feel like a child again.  Along with that child like humility, comes a natural ability to feel closer to my Savior. Who is the gift of all gifts in our lives. I love to have my home decorated in a way that reflections all these wonderful things.
Just a look at a few of the decorations I was able to get up before the flu...   Again I do this not because they are wonderful or for show, just because I want to remember what I did.

Come what may, and love it...

Was so excited for Thanksgiving this year. After logistics were all worked out. We decided to have it at Beck and Jamie's House. Was feeling good the Monday before Thanksgiving, so I decided to put up the tree and a few things. Always a challenge for me, have a love hate relationship with my tree. Jamie came over and got it out of the garage and put in the family room for me.  I should have known I wasn't feeling well because I just sat and looked at it for a few hours. Then I made myself go for it. Put lights on Monday, 5 hours and Santa's on Tuesday 5 1/2. Was feeling achy and sore, just thought it was from doing the tree. By Thursday morning I realized it was more than sore muscles, but kept a positive attitude. Made the dressing,  basted turkey every hour, and made a roast. by the time we were suppose to go I was dragging. Got everything packed up and headed over to the J Wallace's for our feast.  Becky and Loo had made tasty side dishes, rolls and salad. About half way through dinner I knew I needed to go home.  Hung in there for a while tried to help clean up a bit, helped get Ady ready for bed and told Rick it was time to head for home.  Walked in the door and went straight to bed for the next 48 hours. Was trying to go to the doctor on Friday, but couldn't get out of bed.  Saturday came at least I could walk, off to the doctor to find out, I tested positive for flu. The Doctor said it could take 10 minutes for test, my came up almost immediately. sigh... No pictures of Thanksgiving, except for the turkey. Chalk it up to a  "come what may, and love it" moment.

It didn't change the gratitude I have in my heart for all the is good in my life...