The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmastime is the most wonderful time of the year, in my opinion. Sure, there's lots of over-commercialization and materialism, not to mention busyness, but somehow none of that bothers me so much. To me, Christmas (or just the month of December) will always be about family, spending time together, planning fun events and surprises for loved ones, and things of that nature. That being said, here is the recap of our very full and very wonderful December.

We put up Christmas lights on our house for the first time this year! We've had the lights for over a year; just never got around to putting them up before. But we finally did it this year! It was a family affair that evening, with Jacob, Emma Grace, Jacob's brother Jeremy, my sister Kelley, and even a quick visit from my Mom.

Emma Grace discovered the box of light clips and made herself useful by passing them to Daddy, telling him "Thank you" with each one. She really enjoyed being involved in the process.

Here, Daddy.

Once Emma Grace was bored, she began exploring the neighbors' yards.

Once the Christmas lights were up, the rest of the Christmas decorations followed quickly. Also for the first time this year, we set out Emma Grace's Fisher Price Nativity Set. I tried to teach her the story of Jesus' birth with it, but she more liked carrying the people around to different places in the house.

We went to visit Santa at Bass Pro. We were actually the first ones in line that day! Emma Grace wasn't super keen on letting Santa hold her, but she did like the "deer" that were behind him.

After our Santa visit, Emma Grace ran around Bass Pro like a red blur. I think the workers were charmed by her smile and Christmasy outfit, but Mom and Dad were worn out!

We also went to Zoo Lights in mid-December with the Smith family. It was cold, but very worth it! The lights were nice and the little ones enjoyed the North Pole Express Train and the reindeer.

Looking at the reindeer

Smile!

Riding the train!

Jacob got to working pretty long hours at this point, so it was hard to do a lot of family Christmas activities. But we did manage to drive around and look at Christmas lights one night. We found the house in Bartlett that won first place for Christmas lights and spent awhile there listening to songs and watching the lights. Emma Grace, however, was much more impressed by the neighbors' inflatable polar bears. She kept saying "Beah! Beah!" and even told them "Bye" when we left.

Our annual Cookie Party was the Saturday before Christmas. We had a ton of wonderful goodies and enjoyed a lot of fun with friends.

What the guys did when the cookie decorating ended.

Someone got into the chocolate toffee and had a party.

On Sunday, December 23rd, Emma Grace and I went to the Family Christmas Service. She was possibly the most decked out kid there. She did pretty well for having to sit through an hour and a half service. Even though it was nice having her sit with me, I am definitely thankful for a weekly nursery class to take her to!

That night we did Christmas with Jacob's family. I was a poor photographer that night--totally forgot to get out my camera. Emma Grace didn't really understand the whole present thing that night. She let me open one present with her, but I had to chase her down each time we opened another one. She did get excited about her shopping cart from Grammy and Grandpa. It's possible she wore a rut in the hardwood floor as many times as she pushed it around.

The next day (Christmas Eve!) Jacob was finally off work and we spent the day with my family, Christmasing at my Mom's house first and later my aunt's house. Emma Grace started to get a little more into the present opening with each event. By that night, she even said, "Want some," when we finished opening.

Hugging her 2 babies

Hugging Baby Elmo

Reading her Elmo book

Being tickled by Daddy

That night, Santa visited our house. Emma Grace must have been a good girl this year.

Emma Grace was hesitant at first, but she got over it soon enough. The first thing she went after were Veggie Tales books.

Then she progressed to her kitchen, and we realized how hungry she was.

Then she found her snacks in her stocking and we had to take a breakfast break.

But as soon as she finished she was back into the presents!

The rest of the day was busy! We ate lunch with Jacob's extended family in Mississippi and played Dirty Santa. Then we headed back to Memphis and spent some time with my mom's family at my grandfather's house. We actually made it home at a decent time and went to sleep because we were all exhausted!

Although December isn't over yet, I wanted to go on and post this because I am off work and actually have time! We are still looking forward to my senior class reunion dinner tomorrow night and our friends' Bunko Bash for New Year's Eve. This has been a busy month, but a very special and wonderful one!