Church children's Christmas program

Sunday afternoon was the children's program of songs and verses at First Pres. The kids from age 5+ have been practicing on Sunday mornings with [children's director] Miss Courtney for about 6 weeks. This was Timo's first time to participate in a Christmas program in front of the church. And Mattias's first time to dress up as a shepherd! And baby Hawk, who hopefully as a shepherd will not scare away any of the sheep despite his nomenclature.

Jim and I were both smiling throughout the program because this church has unexpectedly become such a comfortable, welcoming, unassuming place for us since we started attending in the last few months. The boys are being cared for and are learning new things, particularly Timo - who had to practise some new confidence skills and get up in the front with the other kids. They performed one song on handbells and one song on 'tubes' (for lack of a proper musical term) and sung three Christmas hymns. After the handbells, Timo looked right at Jim and smiled and gave a thumbs-up. And the younger children all got to dress up as shepherds (boys) or angels (girls), thanks to a woman in the church who measured and sewed them all outfits.

Afterwards was a church potluck, with kids running around holding candy canes and adults chatting and all elbowing their way in to get one of the Baxley's chocolates from the dessert table (well, not really, but the Baxley's do have a chocolate shop in town and attend church here - and the chocolate is legitimately good).

Happy Christmas!

goofy boy who smiles at everyone!

Few more snow pics - and thankful for neighbors

We are SO thankful for neighbors who help us make it through a cold, snowy day when our power went out! Last Saturday we lost electricty for about 18 hours (less than some in our county who were out for 2-3 days), so Jim and the older boys went over to the Woodys for lunch and playtime and naps and stomping around the woods in the snow. Meanwhile I hung out at home next to the fireplace with Hawk, and then had coffee and playtime with our neighbor Lynn. Just before dinner our electricity was restored, and the Daniel family brought pizza over to eat supper together.

view from the front door

 The snow was still falling in the morning, and it was thick and soft, so the trees were beautiful.

such a happy guy! Since this photo he has learned how to sit independently!!!!!!

Mid-morning the skies cleared and the sun came out, which melted the snow on the roads in town. Most of the mountain roads though were icy and snowy through the next week, so schools were still cancelled for several days.

view from the block next to the library, one block from our driveway

Surprise snow day

Last Friday we woke up to a surprise snowfall! It was absolutely beautiful and peaceful! The boys woke me (Jul) up in the morning, running into the bedroom to say, "It snowed!" Ah, magical childhood moments. The forecast the day before had been for '50% chance of flurries' so we were excited to get 6 inches on Friday, and another 3-4 on Saturday.

Of course, Timo led the way immediately after breakfast and got out all the gear to go outside and play right away! Jim had to go into work but was able to leave early and got home after lunch. The roads were rough that day so no classes or public school.

view from our front door

After a morning playtime, Timo requested hot chocolate in front of the fire. Shortly after this picture, Mattias requested some, too, as well as bananas and a couple of reheated biscuits. Unfortunately our central heat died at the same time - !! - so we had the gas fireplace running almost all weekend, and borrowed some space heaters from the Woodys. The repair wasn't completed until six days later. Meanwhile on Saturday we lost power for about 16 hours, but just when we were packing up to go spend the night at the Woodys, it came back on. Boy are we grateful for the utility company and all the knowledgeable people who keep our electricity and machines running.

baby Hawk was all snuggled up and didn't complain at all

Preparing for Christmas - Advent season

We all had a really fun time last weekend getting out the Christmas tree and decorations for the house. Surprisingly, Timo took the lead and was the most eager (and has since found very particular spots around the house where certain decorations are to be put; for example, yesterday he placed two stars in a new spot on a cabinet handle, and announced, "I'm going to put these here so they can remind us about baby Jesus whenever we look at them."). Though of course Mattias was also very excited to participate. It was fun to see him a year older and better able to handle the ornaments and take an interest in them. So far between us all we've only broken five ornaments. Not too bad.

A day or so before we had just found out that a rental house we were hoping for was taken by another rental (we were 2nd in line), so now that we know we aren't moving this month, it was time to get all the decorations out and enjoy them! True to years past, the boys have spent a lot of time every day since playing with the ornaments (particularly any figurines) and re-arranging decorations around the house.

"Another kiss from my big brother?!"

"Take  my picture with this snowman, Mommy."

Now he's ready to help open some boxes!

I didn't get a photo of these decorations, but we also put up our Advent garland (made by Jim's cousins, Wendy and Susie) with a miniature woolen mitten or hat for each day. This year I printed some verses to stick in them, and each day adds another part of the story of Jesus's birth. I also made two wreaths out of kudzu vine and greenery, and we have some candles on the table to light every Sunday for Advent. Now that we are attending First Presbyterian Church in Sylva, this is the first year in a long time that we've had an Advent wreath and more Christmas hymns during the Sunday services - and it's wonderful!! Also because now Timo is really paying attention in church, and this evening at supper he made sure we light our candles and had a great discussion about the meaning of the first two weeks.

Coming up in the next week we have a couple of Christmas parties with Jim's office and Timo's school, plus the kids' Christmas program at church next Sunday, and Timo's preschool program next Monday - so it's going to be a busy, festive time. And then next week we will be on our way to Wheaton for the break!

the next morning (hey, what are those pumpkins still doing over there?)

7 months old

Hawkins is 7 months old, and such a happy baby! I've been trying to capture his grin these days, because when he gives you a big, crooked, goofy smile, he looks JUST like Gemma. He continues to be friendly and easy-going - though still inconsistent with napping... He's slowly working up to sitting as he improves his upper body strength and flexibility. He'll get there one of these days!