Gingerbread Houses

 Phil bought gingerbread houses this year on black Friday, but we didn't get to them until after Christmas. Better late than never, right?! 

Christmas 2021

 It has been so nice for the past two years to spend Christmas morning at our own home doing our own thing and then being able to go be with family. We had breakfast, did our advent, and then opened presents. After lunch, we went to Phil's parents' house again to hang out with family. 

Christmas Eve 2021

 We went to the Christmas Eve service at church where I played a five minute long piano duet with the church pianist. It was a song I had been practicing for two months. It was such a good exercise in working on something daily with an end goal in mind. I love to play the piano and play regularly at home, but this required daily practice. We then went to Phil's parents' house for dinner and to open presents. I didn't take one photo at their house because I wanted to just enjoy being with family. 

Nashville December 2021

 John has been part of a research study at Vanderbilt since he was born. We went yearly for them to check to see how he was growing and how he was doing cognitively. When we lived overseas, we filled out surveys online instead of going in to the office. Even now that we don't live in Nashville, they asked if we still wanted to participate. We, of course, said yes and had an excuse to go to Nashville to see friends. We were able to attend a service at our old church (that we still love so dearly) and also visit with lots of friends!

Kate gave us all matching tattoos. 

Kate's Ugly Sweater

 The kids had ugly sweater night at AWANA and Kate wanted to make one. Phil had the idea and they went to Phil's mom's house to make it happen. The sweater was a hit! Kate used an old phone to play a fireplace app. So clever! 

Light of Bethlehem

 Our church started a drive through nativity last year because of Covid. This year, they did it again and Kate, Phil, and Anna participated. I was on John duty. Kate was the first Mary in the scene were she was visited by Gabriel. Phil and Anna were in the manager in the scene after Jesus had been born. 

Hartsville Christmas Parade

 We attended the Hartsville Christmas Parade and it was fun to see a bunch of people we knew. 

Some people we know from our church were on this float.

This is the school where Phil's dad works (and the kids attended last year). 

Closing Up the Old House

 Phil and I got to have a weekend away closing up our old house in North Carolina. His parents were able to keep the kids and give us some much needed time together. Phil is in the middle of two masters classes (plus full time work) and it has been a hard season for both of us. We were so thankful for this time. We were also able to have some really good conversations about what we will be doing once Phil is done with school in May and where the Lord may be leading us. 

While there, we read books, watched a movie, visited with family, and even got to see the Bakersville Christmas Parade. It was a wonderful weekend! 

Decorating for Christmas

 We decided to go with an artificial tree this year because of our kitties. We knew that they would be all over the tree and we didn't want to be cleaning up pine needles every day. Well, we were right. The kitties loved the tree and wanted to climb it all the time. We, of course, did NOT love this and would give them a gentle spray (with a water bottle) every time they would try. They also like to chew on the lights that came on the tree. We purposely left off all of our glass (and fragile) ornaments because we didn't want any broken. The tree skirt ended up bringing hours of entertainment to our kitties. Overall, the kitties didn't do too badly.

I also asked Phil if he could make me a wooden nativity set for our front yard. He far exceeded my expectations and it is beautiful (Kate helped him)! We had so many people comment on how amazing it is and how they want Phil to make them one. :) 

Running joke in our house...how many "First year in our new house" ornaments do we have?