Tons of fun...tons of business...tons of presents...not enough time to blog! :-) So starting from last week...here we go...
We decided to try out Carolina Christmas last week...thanks to my friend,
Sarah , who gave it rave reviews. Charlotte Motor Speedway transformed itself into a winter wonderland. Complete with over two miles of Christmas lights, live Nativity, Santa's workshop, and plenty more! We had heard that if you go anytime after six...the attraction is not worth the THREE hour wait to get in. So, we headed up to the speed park and arrived right before six. It was just beginning to get dark and we anticipated all the many lights that the website boasted of.
Needless to say, we were not disappointed. There were lights everywhere! The kids loved it but I think the biggest fan was actually Jason! There was a section of seats that the speed park had set up lights all through and synced them up with music. We parked it right in front of those for quite awhile!!
Jackson tried to lookout both windows at the same time. He wasn't quite sure what was going on!
After the light show, we braved the cold and got out of the warm toasty van. Then I informed the kids to run...not walk...to the fire pit! I was freezing the moment my feet hit the pavement. I could smell the fire, knew it would be warm, and did not wait around to make sure my little ducklings were following!
Amy roasted marshmallows for the first time!
Although, roasting might be a little bit of a stretch...it was actually "setting-marshmallows-on-fire"! But they still tasted good!!
Tyler preferred to watch while sipping hot cocoa!
Jackson just wanted to eat marshmallows...toasted or not!!
Once again, in a warm, toasty place! I tried to convince the kids to stay here a VERY long time...but they were anxious to see the live nativity! Guess I can't argue with that...Jesus first, right?
We were completely frozen at this point and decided to call it a night. As we were heading back to the van, Jason noticed that there were cars that were driving on the actual speed track. Not to be left out, he drove the van over to the entrance...and transformed into Jeff Gordon.
*I had been warned by Sarah that husbands tend to go crazy in mini-vans on the track!*
Our poor little van has never accelerated faster or driven on such a steep slope! But I must say it was pretty exciting!
The following day was Christmas Eve! So we donned our Christmas duds and headed to church. We spent the first service in the nursery...surrounded (literally surrounded) by toddlers! Thankfully, our friends the
Howards were serving with us and made it that much easier!
Then it was off to service for us...complete with candlelight and carols!
This is Amy's favorite part of Christmas Eve...she takes candle-holding very seriously.
Tyler was actually trying to see how much wax he could get on his hands!
Our beautiful church all lit up!
After church, we headed out for a quick bite to eat and then off to open ONE present before bedtime!
We were a little unsure what time the kids would pounce on our bed the next morning...but thankfully they waited till around seven! Then let the craziness begin...
Jason's brother, Jeremy, lives in Charlotte now...and joined us for the morning festivities!
They got matching sweaters from their parents for Christmas...but Jer would NOT put his on...especially for the camera!
Uncle Jeremy teaching Tyler how to fly his helicopter (and then subsequently breaking it!!! )
Daddy...FINALLY getting a GPS system! PTL...no more getting lost in Charlotte!!!
Later we joined Jason's cousin's family for a big turkey dinner with all the fixings! I was so thankful not to have to cook ANYTHING...and I must say it was absolutely delicious!
The kids had a blast showing off their new toys and playing with their cousins' new toys!
Later that night, as we were putting the kids to bed...we reflected on Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection. We were overwhelmed with thankfulness at His choice of gift for us. This year the kids were so much more aware of keeping Him at the forefront of the season...and I pray at the center of their lives!
Merry Christmas!!!
...now I do!!
