Bring on the festivities!

December began with the whole house sick with bad colds and two of us (Hannah, then mommy) with pink eye.  Some festivities had to be missed (town parade, the girls missed the Bridge Christmas party).  Two and a half weeks later, we were finally all healthy and ready to enjoy the season of Christ's birth!

Here's a smattering of what we've been up to:

Annual ornament exchange with some old friends.  I think this might have been our 10th year doing this!  We went to Biaggi's for desserts.

We've had 2 minimal snows... mostly ice and not enough to play in yet. Jackson and I spent a "snow day" making a gingerbread house together. He did most of the design and placement all by himself. I just did some piping.  Thanks Grandaddy Pete for the kit!

snow day snuggles while watching a cartoon

Friday night we went to a gathering to celebrate Uncle Matt's graduation from Seminary.  The pictures below are of Thalia, Amanda, and Hannah playing "tunnel" under the dining room table.  Amanda was a trooper and went through dozens of times!  Hannah was squealing with delight.

Mr. Joe and his girlfriend.  :)

Saturday was the Christmas gathering in Pinetown with all of Granddaddy's side of the family.  We enjoyed seeing great-granny and all the family.  A photographer was invited to attend in order to take pictures of everyone family set with great-granny.  So special and I can't wait to see the pics.  It was a HUGE gathering of folks.  Many met Hannah for the first time since we had to miss last year due to sickness.

Sunday night we hung out with our buds, the Isaacs, and went to the Living Nativity at our old church.  It was great to hang with our dear friends that we don't get to see nearly enough.  Jackson has really missed playing with Luke so caught up by a day full of playing with nerf guns, wii, legos, pirates, and star wars.

Monday night mommy's Connection Group had a Cookie Exchange/Pajama party.  So fun!  The best part... I got Claire's yummy baklava!

Next up:  party at Grandmomma's, Family Birthday party for Jackson, Christmas party at Granddaddy and GrandDee's, quiet Christmas at home, a few days at Mimi and Granddaddy Petes, and a gathering with my college friends and all their family.  Whew.