Christmas!

Don't say it, I know. It is the end of December 2010 and I have sorely neglected our blog this year. I am likely more disappointed by this than most of the world, so we'll see if I can revive it in 2011. In the mean time enjoy some photos of our December.

We started off the season with our annual trip to find the "perfect' Christmas tree. We decided to try a new tree farm this year because we wanted to find a tree that was very fragrant (which is hard to do when looking for a GA grown tree). However we hit a home run and will be making our way back to this family run farm again next year. We purchased a "Blue Ice" tree and it smells yummy (seriously). After we picked out our tree and rode the tractor back to the main area we roasted marshmallows by the campfire. All around this was a great experience.

And of course after finding the tree we decorated it! The girls enjoyed every minute of this activity while I held my breath, but nothing was broken this year, so all in all a win-win situation.

Our next fun happening was participating in our neighborhood's annual Children's Christmas Party. This usually involves cookies, hot cider, and making garland out of fruit loops and making ornaments out of pretzels that are then dipped in peanut butter and covered in bird seed. We then all march outside to the Christmas tree that sits at the entrance of our subdivision and let the kiddos decorate the tree for the birds and squirrels and/or whatever other random animal that wants to get in on the action.

HC and I made our second trek to see the Nutcracker. This year we opted to see a smaller version of the ballet done by a local high school company. It was a decent show, and Hadleigh Claire enjoyed every moment of it and has listened to the soundtrack at least several hundred times. She has also given Annelise a blow by blow, so both girls will be ready and prepared to attend with me next year.

Finally we celebrated Christmas! We attended the Christmas Eve service as a family which was very special. I just love being at our own church for this event. When we put the girls to bed that night we explained that in the morning they were to come downstairs to the tree. We would eat breakfast and then open presents. "Presents????" they exclaimed! They had no idea this was coming, so I was happy that we were able to make it one more year without them realizing that presents are tied to Christmas. I am guessing this will be the last year, but who knows.

For Christmas dinner we had a few friends over to the house and Dave cooked....ah...this year's theme was "Alton Brown" who is one of Dave's fav chefs from Food Network. He prepared potato and leek soup, spinach salad with warm vinaigrette dressing, and roast duck with oyster stuffing. It was amazing. For dessert our friends brought crepes with mascarpone filling and blackberry sauce. It was divine.

Last, but not least, I cannot believe that I almost forgot this, one of our best presents was that we had a White Christmas this year! The last time that happened in Atlanta was in 1882, so we feel super special. We had two White Christmases in Germany, so I am happy that we were able to have another one, and one with the girls. They made their way outside with Dave this morning to play before we headed out to church (which was delayed an hour).