If you happen to live in North Carolina, or know someone who does, then you are probably well aware of the fact that we had a white Christmas this year. The last measurable snowfall on Christmas day was 2.8 inches, back in 1947. We got 7 inches this year, which clearly blows the previous record out of the water. It was perfect. It was beautiful. It reminded me of the words to Silent Night.... What a great way to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior!
We spent Christmas Eve at Matt's parent's house with Matt's Mom's family. It is always wonderful to be around family. When great food, Christmas decorations and Christmas movies on TV are added into the mix, it makes for a perfect evening.
Ava and I cuddled by the fire.
Ava mastered the art of opening presents. These shreds were the only evidence left after tearing into her bags and boxes.
Mimi and Ava walked around the house looking at all of the beautiful decorations that made the house look so festive!
After a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner, we headed home so Santa could pay us a visit.
Christmas morning, we woke up and found our living room as it appears below. Several of her toys from Santa are geared toward 'bigger' kids. Translation: Ava may not be able to play with all of her toys now, but come July, I'll be able to pull said toys from the closet and it will be like Christmas morning all over again. How smart of Santa to get toys that Ava will use down the road since her birthday was 3 weeks ago and she received more than I can organize and put away! :)
Christmas morning aftermath.
All those toys, and she just wants her sippy cup.
Crawling through her new tunnel.
After Christmas morning craziness and a mid-morning nap, we headed to Tim and Kathy's house for Christmas lunch with Matt's Dad's family.
At some point while we were there...
Poppy and Ava were goofy.
Mimi, Poppy and Ava posed for a picture.
Ava admired (and probably wanted to pull off) all of the ornaments on the tree.
The three of us posed for a picture.
Ava opened some gifts.
Matt and I enjoyed some grown-up time while other family members watched our daughter.
For those of you unfamiliar with eating meals at Tim and Kathy's house, let me explain the following picture. Tim and Kathy's house sits on a rather steep hill. The stairs connecting the front door to the driveway are dangerous and the driveway is down right treacherous.... especially if you're elderly. Well, the majority of the family members who attend these family meals are, shall we say, quite experienced in life. So here is what happened this time, and every other time we eat at Tim and Kathy's.
1. All of the 'more experienced' family members find a seat inside and wait until it is time to go.
2. A 'less experienced' family member goes out into the street, gets a car, and pulls it into the driveway.
3. The rest of us help a few 'more experienced' family members down the stairs and into the car.
4. A 'less experienced' family member drives the car and its passengers home.
5. Repeat.
When we made it home, we took a moment to enjoy the snow before Ava's afternoon nap. (Ava has worn this Christmas dress twice and it has snowed both times she wore it!)
Christmas night, Mimi and Poppy came over for our gift exchange. I think it is safe to say Ava loves her new red wagon!
The snow continued to fall well into the night. Before going to bed, Matt stepped outside and snapped the following picture of the tree in our front yard. First, let me say this picture does no justice to how beautiful the tree really looked. Second, it was such an overwhelming feeling to be standing on our front porch, listening to the silence of the snowy, Christmas night... All while gazing into the glowing lights and thinking about the importance of this day.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Merry Christmas!
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