Christmas Countdown

Christmas is almost upon us and we have been soaking up as much holiday fun as possible.   Peter and I are extra aware that this year may be one of the most magical because the girls are at such perfect ages.    We have enjoyed Christmas programs, a train ride with Santa, cozy day at school, baking treats for neighbors, a winter community theater production, and even some snow.   Here are all of the pictures.....

Snow!   We had our first snow and the girls spent all day out in it.

Loved.  The.   Snow.

Our church choirs had their Family Christmas performance one Sunday night and both girls participated with the children's choirs.

Both girls were so excited.

The church was packed but SA was all smiles.   Didn't seem nervous at all walking with her choir class up to church stage.

After the show she said that the orchestra was too loud and hurt her ears, so I don't know if she will be so keen to participate next year. 

Susannah sang her little heart out too.

Now that Meadow is 13, we all know it may be her last Christmas so we are all soaking up extra snuggles with her.

Last week SA's preschool had their Christmas program.   

It was precious.   

 She was front and center.

SA was so proud that her Daddy could come.

Last Saturday we attended a birthday party that was held at the local community theater.   We saw a kid's production called Snow Day.

Susannah was so pumped to meet the actresses after the show.

On Monday afternoon Peter left work early so that we could surprise the girls with a trip on the Santa Train.   

We picked them up early from school and told them it was for a Christmas surprise.   They were so excited when we arrived at the train station.  And even more excited when Santa arrived on the platform.   Playing the bagpipes.  ;)

During the 40 minute ride to Manassas, Virginia, we ate candy canes, sang Christmas carols and watched for Santa.   

At the Manassas train station we had cookies and hot chocolate and a little story time.    Then we got to talk to Santa for a bit.

And on the way back, he hung out in our car for a while.   

His bagpipes were such an unexpected surprise.   It put all of us in the Christmas spirit for sure.

A couple of days ago, the girls and I made our traditional cinnamon rolls for friends and neighbors. 

Sarah Avery told me that I didn't roll out dough as well as Grandmama.  ;)

They love playing with all the ingredients.   

They seem to disappear when it is time to clean up though.  

Yesterday was Susannah's last day of school and they had cozy day which meant pjs and stuffed animals and lots of excitement.   Look at those eyes.   She was wired!!  

The Dad of one of her friends came to lunch that day so I got lots of fun pictures.   

These two are in Sunday school, choir, girl scouts, and school together.    And I'm in bible study and book club with her mom so they spend A LOT of time together.  

They also had their winter party this day so they made lots of crafts which is Susannah's favorite thing.   Her teacher sent me this picture.

And that has been our Christmas countdown.   I hope that all of you are experiencing lots of joy this season, but even if you are like us and this year has felt extra dark or challenging, may we all find a few quiet moments to remember the quiet night when love and goodness and mercy and redemption broke through the heavens and arrived in the form of a little newborn baby.   And may we choose to believe that the baby and the hope he brought still has the final word.