Parade

A first - watching a Christmas parade and not being bundled up.

The downtown lights in the night set the scene for our annual Christmas parade viewing. It was, by far, the warmest parade I ever remember as we only had wind- breakers because of the looming rain. We saw the famed Girls Corp, enough jeeps to stretch app the way through town, and even some goats and a wild-eyed horse.  Some Hometown traditions never grow old.

Holiday Travels

Since all of our family is within a 10 mile radius of us, we don't have to travel too far. No hours in the car or packing for a flight, just at-home gatherings of those we love best.

Now that our Barnes family is in Tennessee, we decided to do a little traveling this year to see them during this special season. 

Loved seeing Baby Brinkley who is not nearly as big as her pictures portray. Our Brenna Boo is as lively as ever and is definitely a little girl now, no more baby.

We took in a local attraction- Rock City decked in lights. It was beautiful in in the fog and drizzle. Now we will have to go back to appreciate the beauty of it in the daytime.

We didn't get to spend nearly as much time as we wanted, but a quick trip was better than no trip at all. Looking forward to our next meet up.

Lights and Letters

We stopped at a place we have only adored from the car in years past. Boy were we missing out! These two trapsed through the lights with pure joy and delight. They didn't let any display go unnoticed. They even wrote letters to Santa while we were there.

Magical moments!

Tea Time

The plates with the flowers in the center and trimmed in gold. The silverware that was never opened but stashed away in the kitchen cabinets. The fruit bowl that held fruit and just about anything else you can think of. The lacy tablecloth only used for special occasions. The dish filled with mints.

So many things we have to remember you. Thank you you for your love and your legacy.

Christmas PJs

I really wanted these this year and almost let them pass us by, but I splurged in the nick of time. All of the sudden I feel like I don't have many years left that they will be into monogramed, matching pajamas.

So, splurge I must! 

Starting the Season

Maeve and her four year old friends at preschool helped to hang the greens at the church. She asked all day if she was singing, but I just told her they needed her help to decorate. She was all about that. And, once she was there, she did exactly what she was supposed to. They sang a couple of songs including "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and a cute one about giving baby Jesus what he didn't have.

Love our little performer!

The Best Gifts

The best gifts under our tree this year are these: