Christmas Day

We had a great Christmas celebrating with family. We woke up early so the kids could open their presents and stockings from us.

Then we had brunch with the Mema and Pappy and the rest of the family.

After a much needed nap we went and celebrated with Nana and Papa and the rest of the family. I stole these pictures from Aunt Mal.

Hope your Christmas was filled with joy.

Merry Christmas From the Wallaces

Silver Dollar City

Christmas at Silver Dollar City is beautiful. We always try to make it down there each year. This year the entire family went minus Nana and Papa and Uncle John. The kids missed them being there.

One of the best parts is the Parade. All the grandkids lined up waiting for it to start.

Now time to ride the rides. No amount of cold was going to keep the kids from riding. Todd's first experience riding the bouncy frogs.



Santa Pictures

Our annual pictures with Santa were with one of my mom's employees. For the last 2 years he had dressed as Santa to greet children who come through the GA.

Jude was not so sure of this strange man dressed funny. I love the "look at you out of the corner of my eyes" look.

The two ladies in their red Christmas dresses. 

Wrapping Presents

I admit I love to wrap presents. I don't always do the fancy bows, although I do love how they look. I really don't do anything fancy with my presents. I love to pick out wrapping paper and will get paper that matches my tree and I have to wrap the kids presents differently from the adults.

There is one distinct difference that makes my presents different than everybody elses. If you have ever received a wrapped present from me you probably know what makes them unique.

My family likes to tease me about all the tape I use when wrapping. In my defense it is not to make it hard to open, but I think the wrapping looks so much prettier when there are no gaps or bubbles. All the tape I use makes every corner and seam very straight and tight.

I can't help that having a perfectly seamless wrapped present makes it difficult for the receiver to open it.

Are you a wrapper or do you prefer gift bags?

Live Nativity Pageant

Does your family have Christmas traditions that you look forward to each year?

For 33 years the Live Nativity Pageant has been a family tradition for Todd's family. I have been a part of it since I was 15 and I have very fond memories of starting out as an Angel in my early teens  and then moving up to being one of Herrod's herom girls. Today I get to be Mary with little boy Jesus.

For the past 4 years I have had the priviledge to play Mary with each of my kids being little boy Jesus. This year was Jude's first year and while he was little boy Jesus this was Jadon's first year to be the Angel on the stable that Jesus was born in. I love looking back and seeing all the parts we have been able to play while telling the story to hundreds of people who come to watch.

When the Pageant started 33 years ago Todd was the first to be the Angel on the stable. Now it is so sweet to have our son be the Angel. Although, he almost didn't do it. He really wanted to and then as it came closer he wasn't so sure about doing it so he backed out. Then the girl that was going to replace him had to cancel a couple days before. So, it was offered to him again just in case he had changed his mind. I spoke for him without asking and said, "no." He informed me he did want to do it and so he did.

Saturday night was his night and it was the coldest night of the week, temperature of 15 degrees and windchill of 6. There was snow and awful wind. The wind being so strong they chose not to put his wings on. He did awesome and stood up there holding his hands in the air, only a couple times did he grab the the rail around him when big gusts of wind came.

Jadon in his angel costume.

Me and Jude with the Wise Men, Pappy was one of the wise men. 

Enjoying our hot chocolate and cookie between shows.



Oh Christmas Tree

Since we have been married Todd and I have put our Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. Growing up my family always waited until the day after December 11. That was my Uncle Joe's birthday and my mom always wanted to celebrate his birthday before we put our tree up and decorated for Christmas.

The first year we were married I admit I thought it was silly to put the tree up so early. But I look forward to it now that we have our kids. This has become our family tradition. Put up our Christmas tree or trees as is the case this year and that evening we put in the movie Elf, drink hot chocolate and the kids sleep on an air matress under the tree.

We started last year putting up two trees, the one in the living room that matches our home decor, burgundy and gold. The other in the kitchen that the kids put together with the ornaments they have made or collected. Most of the ornaments end up along the bottom of the tree, but it is beautiful still.

This year Haven got to put the Angel on top of the tree.