December Review

We started December with Emma's drama recital.  I posted about it previously here.

At American Girl Doll book club this month the girls learned about St Lucia day.  Kirsten their doll character was a Swedish immigrant and therefore celebrated St Lucia day.  Emma made a St Lucia crown.

The kids and I took an amazing field trip to the Atlanta Operation Christmas Child collection site with Emma's Girl Scout Troop.  It was an amazing behind the scenes look at a ministry we have always given to.  We were able to donate another box and tour their collection facility.  The kids got to "act out" how a box goes from donation family to recipient.  The boys were modes of transportation. :)

They also got to inspect boxes for inappropriate items and make bracelets to include in boxes.

While in north Atlanta for the field trip we went to a mall that had a Bass Pro.  No better place to meet Santa and have a free picture with him.

Something we added to our holiday traditions this year was our Christmas book basket.  Emma, to practice her wrapping skills, wrapped all of our Christmas books.  Then each night one child got to pick a book to open and be our bedtime book for the night. Initially it backfired with Isaac the first couple nights it was his turn.  When unwrapping the book he was expecting a new book that he wanted- like a Dusty Crop Hopper book.

Our small group from church had a Christmas party that exposed us to something southern we had yet to experience!  A southern boil!  It was a great large group meal and super yummy!

Matt and I got gussied up for a night out for the QT Christmas dinner.

Christmas Eve service was like nothing we have ever taken place in!  I guess our getting connected at our church as certainly happened.  We were asked to "star" in a video that would be used during service.  It included this in our driveway with Matt inside:

And me on this dance team:

Never in my life would I have guessed I would do such a thing! It was great fun and I got the chance to meet so many great ladies!

We enjoyed a quiet Christmas here at the house followed by a surprise visit from my mom for Emma's birthday!