Christmas Time!

It was a sweet season of Advent and preparing for celebrating Jesus' birth at Christmas. Fun gatherings with reverent moments and daily readings by candlelight filled the month. It felt a little different being in a new home, but we adjusted and kept one of our longest traditions on Christmas Day of delivering boxes of goodies and gifts to homes the Lord led us to. Actually, the kids are the ones who pray and ask the Lord to show them. It never fails to amaze us and wow them - God does speak in the middle of our days if we will just listen!

For several years we've enjoyed Ann Voskamp's Jesse Tree readings each day of Advent. She's so good to take us through the lineage and prophecies of Jesus.

It was Leila's turn to put the star on this year. 

We enjoyed making hundreds of Christmas cookies with Nonnie this year. 

The next generation learning how to make delicious goodies. 


Leila performed in her first choral concert at MHS. 

Mary-Michael was invited to the Holly Ball at her former school (Aylett). She looks too grown up!

She had a wonderful time at the Holly Ball with Addison. 

Two little hams!

I love this group of ladies in my small group. We had such fun wrapping up an amazing book (Experiencing God) and doing a white elephant gift exchange. 

We had another occasion for dressing up. The girls are involved in a program called That Dance Thing, and they learn the classic ballroom dances, as well as etiquette. They enjoyed a lovely Christmas Ball, and Daddy even attended part of it to join them in a Daddy-Daughter dance. 

Frazier sung a Christmas song in front of the congregation at church, though his passion for these sort of things has waned in his 5th grade year...

We enjoyed our annual Christmas dinner with some dear friends. Great friends are a true gift from the Lord!


Here are the families we get to do so much life with. 

Happy birthday, Jesus!

Celebrating Christmas Eve after Candlelight Service at Mimi and Poppy's house is always a treat. 

Poppy and his 2 granddaughters. Here's to a very thoughtful and intentional grandfather!

Christmas morning in matching PJs!

Nonnie joined us a little while later for Christmas fun. We missed Granddad who was still recovering from being sick. 

We packed and wrapped the boxes and went out for our giving adventure on Christmas Day. We weren't sure what this would be like in our new community, but after doing it, I know we were able to bring joy and Jesus' love to those who needed it. 

We did enjoy celebrating with the Lawrences on 12/26, but unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures. I was sick and in bed during all of the festivities, and Geoff was too busy with the 4 kiddos. I hear it was a great day!

We rested from the Christmas fun with 5 days in Nags Head. Zach, Christina, Emerson and Luca joined us from Charleston, SC, as well as our dear friends, the Kells. 

We had beautiful weather and took many walks on the beach. 

We created vision/dream boards for the year ahead with the big kids and took turns sharing them. So fun!


My crazy husband and son taking a dip in the ocean. It was a good substitute for the ice barrel he uses at home. Yes, we subject ourselves to icy cold water for the sake of health. I hope it's worth it!