Holmes Family Christmas

We drove to Atlanta Saturday before Christmas for a Holmes family Christmas celebration. We've taught the kids that gifts are given out of love and these kids are LOVED. They got Legos, a baby, train toys, sticker books, clothes, the cute house shoes pictured below, and more. We also enjoyed an evening at Mark's brother's house grilling out, relaxing by the outdoor fire and letting the kids run around and play. What fun!

Nativity scenes and Christmas craft

We skipped Sunday School two weeks ago because Alice needed us to join her in the stable. Mark was Joseph, Alice was Mary, Sawyer a shepherd, I was an angel. She set up Pooh, Elmo and Pink Bunny as Wise Men bringing Cheerios and Mardi Gras beads as their gifts. Alice brought the a sheep toy, Lambie and horse to complete the barnyard affect. I was so impressed with her comprehension of the Christmas story and enjoyed watching her creative mind bring it all to life. 

We snuck in a quick trip to see the Bird family before Baby Three arrives in early 2014. Alice and Samuel are making peppermint plates, which is a fun easy unique craft. (Parchment paper, peppermints, 7-10 minutes and 350* then cool for a few hours to make a pretty, hard, smooth plate.)

Alice's preschool had a short Christmas Play where each child came out as a character while the Christmas story was being read by their teacher. Alice was THRILLED to be chosen as Mary and talked about it for days. Aren't she, Joseph and the donkey a cute crew?! They sang carols and we ate Jesus' birthday cake and snacks afterwards in her classroom.

At the end of the play Mrs. Lewin thanked everyone and asked the kids, "Whose birthday do we celebrate at Christmas?" Everyone shouted "JESUS" except Alice. She put her hands over her heart and said, "My baby" sweetly in complete character as Mary. Alice melts my heart!

Christmas Play 2013

Our church Christmas play was tonight and Alice can sing every song. She was a super-cute angel singing Gloria--and telling the real reason for Christmas, Jesus' birth. Our house is decorated for Christmas with homemade wreaths from the fur trees in our yard.  

early December Snow Days

Caroling and Gingerbread Houses

 We had a fun morning with church friends going to a nearby nursing home and singing next week's Christmas Play songs for the residents. The kids sang joyfully and the smiles of the old folks were genuine. Afterwards we made graham cracker/gingerbread houses and had lunch together. Mark and Alice made a very colorful, detailed house and Sawyer mainly ate the decorations. We've enjoyed this for years and today was another highlight of our Christmas season.

Tonight we braved the cold and went "to Bethlehem" at a nearby church and saw the story of Jesus at different stations outside and a Jewish marketplace from the Roman Era inside. Everyone is tucked in bed after a FULL day! Hope the snow/ice holds off tomorrow so we can enjoy another fun party tomorrow evening.

Alice & Kate, both age 3

Merry Christmas (card) 2013

Birmingham highlight last weekend

 Lots of people show they love you in different ways. Liz and Josh showed me by stopping by Mama Ann's visitation on their way from Nashville home to Orlando--with their 2 and 1 year old girls. It was amazing to meet "baby" Sarah Beth and hug them before 8-10 (?) more hours on the road for them. Sweet friends Shannon and Laura also came to support my family. 

Elle lost a tooth Sunday morning before the funeral so we joined their family tradition that night and ate Steel City Pops to celebrate. The flavors were incredible: caramel, honey, carrot cake, ginger wasabi, chocolate mint, eggnog, etc. Yum!

Williamsburg, Virginia with Gigi and Poppy

Governor's Palace

Gigi and Poppy came for Thanksgiving weekend and went to Williamsburg with us on Friday and Saturday. Despite the cold, we had a fun time in the Revolutionary City with interesting tradesman shops, beautiful architecture, a peaceful atmosphere and a new way to enjoy our Revolutionary history. I'm so glad we got to spend time together in this cool spot. The kids loved more time with their grandparents.

gorgeous natural Christmas decorations

capital building

harpsichord at cabinetmaker's shop 

Alice said this reminded her of Cinderella :)

Mama Ann's best Thanksgiving in Heaven

It's been a delight of my entire life to be named after my two grandmothers, Emalee and Ann. They're very different women who both showed great love for me and the Lord my entire life. Mama Ann died on Thanksgiving morning after a years-long struggle with dementia and weeks-long struggle after a recent fall. It's great for Mama Ann to be in heaven but I'll miss having her here. Singing It Is Well With My Soul at her funeral with my cousins was a powerful moment I'll remember every time I hear the song again. 

Mama Ann's funeral was this weekend and I was glad to have so much family nearby. I love having my siblings close, which is a rare treat. I think I inherited some of Mama Ann's straight-talk and hope to show signs of her hospitality, love of missions and evangelism, and laughter. Sleepovers, swim days, walks in the mountains, homemade bread, holidays and more fill my childhood memories with her and Granddandy. I know they're glad to be together again!

Tonight Alice said, "I  miss my good grandmother." Slightly confused, I asked, "Who is that?". Alice said, "Mama Ann." It clicked for me and I smiled, "Oh, you mean your GREAT grandmother." 

Thanksgiving Feasts

Church Families Pre-Thanksgiving Feast Fun:

 We represented the Indians:

Thanksgiving Day Feast with Holmes grandparents at Macdonald's house:

 Sawyer managed to eat 3 turkeys--made of rice krispies and nothing else. . . 

Maple Lawn Farm Field Trip

Yesterday threatened snow flurries so we bundled up and braved the cold for Alice's preschool trip to our nearby turkey farm. Maple Lawn Farm has been in the same family since 1839, farming 1000 acres, 140 dairy cows, and what looked like zillions of turkeys for Thanksgiving. Alice liked the barn cats, calves drinking bottles, big cows, blue-headed boy turkeys and pink-faced girls, and her friends Katie and Ariana :)

"Boston Girls"

We were reminded again what great folks the Cahills are after having them visit this weekend. Alice was thrilled to have another "Boston girl" at her house with Elyse and Caroline here. It worked perfectly for Katies' medical conference and last trip before maternity leaves ends to bring them here. We look forward to reuniting sometime at their place in Boston---hopefully sooner than later!

Halloween fun

Our first apple pie attempt was a great success!

The preschool Halloween wasn't much but the kids felt like stars in their costumes. This year was our first Halloween in this neighborhood and it is so festive and full of kids trick or treating.