Baby It's Cold Outside...And Inside

On Sunday we had our first big snow of the year. While Tim was at work on Monday Charlotte and I had a great time playing in the snow.  We especially loved sledding down the hill in our neighbor's yard.   Emma was not a big fan of being cold so she took a nap during our winter adventure.  While we didn't get a ton of snow it was enough to kick our power out for 36 hours.  Even with both of our gas fireplaces running I couldn't get the house above 60 degrees.  Thankful some sweets friends invited us to stay the night. Our power came back on around 9:00 pm last night and we have never been so grateful for a warm house!

 

Christmas with the Abel Clan

This year we spent Christmas with Tim's family and the Abel Clan.  All 32 of us stayed in a hunting lodge at Fort AP Hill.  We at meals together, played games, enjoyed each others company and celebrated the birth of Jesus.  It was a very fun four day!

Papa reading Charlotte and the other kids the Night Before Christmas...a family tradition.

Throwing out reindeer food.

Waiting for our turn during gift opening.

Snuggle time with Aunt Lizzy.

Charlotte got several really great gifts.

Aunt Michelle feeding Emma a little snack during gift opening.

Emma's first time opening Christmas gifts.

The Able Clan

Emma with Pops and Tutu.

The Mattson Family

Our family of four.

Emma playing baby Jesus in our Christmas pagent.

Charlotte playing an angel in our Christmas pagent.

All of our actors in the Christmas pagent.

Charlotte took several canoe trips during our visit.

Paddle down the river.

A water balloon launcher was a fun gift the boys both big and small enjoyed.

Snuggling with Granny.

Charlotte got her groove on with a little "So You Think You Can Dance".  She pretty much spent our whole visit dancing with anyone that would play with her.

Momany Christmas

My family came to celebrate Christmas this weekend.  We had a great time eating, playing games and enjoying a little Christmas cheer.

Enjoying our "Christmas" dinner.

Charlotte and Poppy enjoyed a quick dance before we headed to the live nativity.

Emma with Gram and PawPaw.

Getting ready to open presents.

I like getting presents mom and dad.

Charlotte seeing her train table from Santa!

The Christmas Season Begins

We traveled to Yorktown to celebrate Thanksgiving with my parents.  After eating entirely too much and shopping until we dropped we moved on from Thanksgiving and began the Christmas season. We made the annual pilgrimage to the "Tacky Lights" House. Visited with Santa at the Yankee Candle Factory and strolled through Colonial Williamsburg. It was a great visit!

 

Christmas Festivities

We have decked the halls, decorated a gingerbread house, visited with Santa, baked cookies and read our favorite Christmas stories.  I think we are ready for Christmas Day!