Growing up there were certain bench marks in December.
Certain things that needed to happen to mark the passing of time during the holidays.
Cookies needed to be made.
Nativities needed to be out.
Advent calendar checked.
Candles lit.
Winterhaven visited.
All of these and more meant December was going to be a fun month.
Now having our own family, Jason and I have made some of our own traditions...
adding some along the way.
We joined some friends uptown Charlotte for the Panther's tree lighting!
We had lots of carols...
hot cocoa...
hanging with buds...
and snuggling close...trying to stay warm!
Because the Panther's are on a winning streak at the moment, Jackson decided to support them...just this once!
Lots of kids...lots of laughter...lots of fun!
It was a great new tradition!
Every year we try and make it to the Gingerbread Lane at the Ballantyne Hotel.
We met up with several other homeschool families to peruse the amazing sugary creations!
Jackson's favorite...the haunted mansion.
The girls favorite...Sugar Plum Town.
Hailey just liked hanging out with the "big" girls for the day!
Panthers Craze!
We tried to get everyone to sit still...look forward...and SMILE!!!
And then we rewarded those smiles with some yummy pizza!!
Another tradition we revisited this year was Christmas Town USA!!
McAdenville, NC is only a few miles from us and definitely a "bright" spot on the map!
The entire town is lit up for Christmas...
with music playing and people strolling through sipping hot cocoa...
it is definitely the right spot to get into the spirit of Christmas!
We usually try and make some type of Christmas craft to hang up in the house.
This year, Jason decided to take on the blank canvas and hot glue gun.
Amy takes art very seriously!!
The finished product...proudly displayed for all to see!!
Adopted from my childhood traditions, chorizo is a MUST have at Christmas time.
It is a labor of love...and usually consumed within a few hours...but so worth it!
Last but not least....
candle lit service at church.
We are at a new church at the moment...not feeling quite like home...but thankful for the body of believers that is united under Christ!!!
So many different traditions...all leading up to that glorious day of celebration..for who He is...for what He has done...for what He continues to do!
Noel, Noel
Come and see what God has done
Noel, Noel
The story of amazing love!
The light of the world, given for us
Noel
Son of God and Son of man
There before the world began
Born to suffer, born to save
Born to raise us from the grave
Christ the everlasting Lord
He shall reign forevermore
