Historical St. Nick comes to Grace Hill....

On Thursday, December 9th, historic St. Nicholas came to our church to tell us about himself.  The man who dressed up as St. Nicholas, Stephen M. Crotts, is affiliated with our church and is also a preacher, teacher and author.  He is head of the "Carolina Study Center" that preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ on college campuses in NC, SC, and VA.  He has written many books including, "The Story of Santa Claus" which he presented at our St. Nicholas event at Grace Hill.  The story is about the Christian called Nicholas of Myra, Turkey, who is the source for the legend of Santa Claus.  Regan's class studied St. Nicholas the same week as our church event and Regan's teacher read this same book.  Regan recognized the author's name and came home asking if it was the same person we know.  Sure enough, Regan's teacher had presented, Stephen M. Crotts, story to Regan's class.  So, that was very neat and she invited her class and teacher to come to the event.  Her teacher, Mr. Morganti, was thrilled and was going to come but had car troubles at the last minute and was not able to make it.  Our girls learned a lot about St. Nicholas and Pastor Crotts did a fabulous job presenting the story to the children.   

 Regan and Riley with their friend, Avery, before the event. 

 The children anxiously awaiting St. Nick's arrival.

 Historical St. Nicholas

Everyone was able to get their photo taken with St. Nicholas. 

Birthday Party for Jesus...

On Saturday, December 4th our church had a Birthday Party for Jesus.  It was a very special evening and we had a great turnout (about 100 people).  We had a family craft time, story time, singing, and potluck dinner.  We also had a wonderful surprise, it snowed during the party!!!  It was our first snow of the winter and it was beautiful.   

Here is our family and our friends, the Lundbergs, working on their crafts.  They are making a "Countdown to Christmas" craft. 

All the children gathering around for story time.

Telling the Christmas story using the "What God Wants For Christmas" manger scene from Family Life. 

 Gathering everyone together to sing Christmas songs.

 Singing Praises to God.

 Here is our yummy Potluck spread.

All the delicious desserts and Birthday Cakes.

 Families gathered together to eat and celebrate.

The snow is coming down hard.

This is the Winter Wonderland we came home to.

What Reece Wants To Be.....

Tony took Reece on a date tonight since they have not had any alone time in a while.  During dinner they had a funny conversation that Tony shared with me.  Their conversation got on the topic of what Reece wants to be when she grows up and here is how it went....

Reece: "I want to be a doctor when I grow up."

Tony: "Why a doctor."

Reece: "Because I will keep busy."

Tony: "Doing what?"

Reece: "Doctoring People."

Tony:  He asked for more specifics....

Reece:  "I will give people shots."

Tony:  "Do you like getting shots?"

Reece: "No, I am going to give you shots....If you are still alive then." :)

She later changed her mind and said she wants to be a nurse.

Daddy: "Why a nurse and not a doctor?"

Reece:  "Because the nurse is actually the one that give the shots."  :)

Blogging Complications...

I have been very frustrated with Blogger lately.  I finally got motivated to update my blog and blogger says I am out of memory and won't let me post anymore photos without paying for it.  So, that is why I have not blogged in quite a while.  I am still trying to figure it out.  Until I do figure it out, I won't be able to post photos. :( 

Occoneechee Indian Village Field Trip...

On November 30th, Riley's 1st Grade class took a field trip to see the Occoneechee Indian Village and to meet Chief Blackfeather. Chief Blackfeather showed them all kinds of tools the Indians used to use. Some of the tools they saw were "hammers," bows and arrows, spears, blowgun, and arrowheads. The children were fascinated everytime Chief Blackfeather shot his arrow with a bow. We also got to hear about some birds (owls) that had been rescued by a wild animal rescue center. The owls were beautiful and the children learned a lot about the owls.

 The whole first grade with Chief Blackfeather.

 Riley with her friends, Eli and Cody.

 Riley with her good friend, McKenzie.

O Christmas Tree...

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we got our Christmas Tree.  Tony's parents were visiting Joe and Abby and we went out to dinner with all of them that night.  They all came to our house afterwards and got roped into setting up the tree. :)  This has happened several years in a row now and is becoming a family joke.  We truly don't plan for it to happen but we definitely enjoy the help.  The men put up the tree and the women sat there and told them it was not

straight. :)  We finished the evening with some Wii and rough housing.

 Tony and his brother, Joe, carrying the tree into the house.

 How many men does it take to put the tree into the stand??  Apparently, 3 and then 2-3 women to critique it. :)

 Is it straight, now??

 Reece giving Papa Doug a new hair style. 

 Papa Doug was a good sport.

 Mama Cook was next...

 Regan helping her cousin, Lizzie, play Wii.

 All the Fernandez cousins by the tree.

 Time to let some stress out with some rough housing...

 And poor Uncle Joe always becomes the kid's jungle gym.

 My girls love rough housing with their Uncle Joe.

 The finished tree

All the lights a glow

Thanksgiving 2010...

We were very blessed to have my family come up to visit us for Thanksgiving.  This was the first time to have them all up at our house during Thanksgiving. The only thing missing was my sister, Kathryn, who lives in Australia.  We had a fun week filled with lots of Wii, lots of eating, going to the movies, watching movies at home and one day the boys and Katie went shooting.  It was a nice time just being together.    

 Riley playing baseball with her Uncle Jeff.

 Reece cuddling with her cousin Katie.  Reece adores Katie.

 The girls making placecards and setting the table for Thanksgiving Lunch.

 Reece and her cousin, Jonathon, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.

 The girls were posing with Jonathon for a photo and they all fell down.  Jonathon found this very funny.

 One night I found Daddy, Regan and Reece eating chips and dip at the edge of the kitchen while watching TV.  They were having their own little picnic.

 At the mall after seeing the movie, Tangled.

 We took a stroll through the mall looking at all the Christmas Decorations.

All the cousins enjoyed the movie, Tangled.