Candy Cane Lane

 Saturday afternoon, I had my 6th grade Sunday school girls over for a candy cane lane party! We focused a lot on the meaning of the candy cane too. I read the book, "The Legend of the Candy Cane". It is a wonderful book for everyone!

 I had a hot chocolate bar set up for the girls. We had extra goodies to add to the hot chocolate like white chocolate snow (almond bark shavings), semi-sweet mini chocolate chips, marshmallows, and candy canes. Yummy!

The table with the candy cane bookmarks and sweet minty treats!

I made up two baskets full of these.

 We ventured out in the cold to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Hannah, Kytney, Peyton, Annabelle, Kennedi, Mikayla and me.

Yay for Christmas munchies!

Peyton and Kennedi enjoyed their "Santa Coca-cola".

We had chex mix, sausage balls, cocktail weinies, peppermint bark and hot chocolate.

 Candy Cane sweeties!

 My sweet friend, Jayme helped me so much with the party.

Doesn't everyone love photo props? I know I do!

 Silly Kennedi pretending to be Santa with her coke. :)

 We all gathered in the living room to watch "Christmas with the Kranks". It is always hilarious to watch during the holidays.

 Kennedi and Annabelle

We had such fun together. They are great girls! It is such a priveledge to be their SS teacher.

 Aren't these lights gorgeous?

We went to the Fayetteville square with our friends, Rob and Jayme. It was so beautiful.

 Rob and Jayme

 Me and my Santa baby!

Everyone in NWA loves these Christmas lights. It is the perfect date night for the season, or of course a night out with friends!

 

We can't wait to spend Christmas with family. It will be so great.

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

A Very Merry Christmas Party

"It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!..."

That is what song has been in my head lately. Anyway, moving on...

Last Saturday, our Sunday school class came over for a "very merry Christmas" party.

 Russell and I were excited to have everyone over to our house to celebrate the Christmas season.

 my stocking

 Russell's stocking

 Belle wanted to show off her stocking, too! :)

 display of Spode Christmas Tree plates

 The tables ready for our guests

 

We had Mexican Stack-Ups for dinner. I forgot to take a picture of the line-up of food we had!

 I made a chocolate gingerbread toffee trifle for dessert and everyone brought extra dessert to enjoy. It was all SO good!

 Gingerbread snowflake cookies made a perfect garnish.

 We had plenty of photo props to use during the party just for fun.

 Jennie, David and Faith. Connor was being camera shy I think. ;)

 Rhyanne, Kelsey, and Brian....who is that in the back???

It's Chase!

 Too funny.

 Jonathan, Adrienne, Heather, Andy, and baby Braden.

We were so glad Heather, Andy and Braden could come. They are moving after Christmas. We will miss them!

 How hilarious are Chad and Mandy?!!?

 Mandy and I with our funny props!

 Russell and I LOVE our Sunday school class. Everyone in the class is so incredibly special to us.

 A funny pic with props, of course!

 Love these girls!

 Lee, me and Braden. He got passed around a little! :)

Lee and her husband Andy are expecting a baby girl in February. She will be holding a little one very soon!

The party was so fun. It was great to just have fun with everybody and laugh.

May your days be merry and bright....

 

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign...Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

Spirit of the Season

It's the spirit of the season. You can feel it in the air!

 Last Friday night, we attended Russell's company Christmas party. It was so good to see Russell's co-workers again and meet new ones as well. Russell works for a great company and he loves it. What a blessing.

 Me and Russell

 Tony and Amy

Tony has worked for this company for years. It is an extra blessing that Russell and Tony work together.

 We even had cake. It was so yummy!

 The decorations were so pretty. It reminded me of candy land. :) The colors just popped. Look at this centerpiece! Guess who won it? ME! I never win much of anything at all. I was pretty surprised.

 Russell, me, Amy and Tony

 

 Saturday morning, Russell and I volunteered at our church's 10th annual Christmas Store. Our church was able to minister to 500 families by giving away toys and other items to families. It felt so wonderful to help others and serve.

 Mason, Carly, and Sarah!

 I was tickled to see my sweet co-worker, Beth. She teaches pre-school and does a fabulous job. I always love visiting with her.

It was also great to see sweet Rhyanne at the Christmas store.

 

It was great to help out our community. We can't wait to help out next year! This is what Christmas is all about.

 

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1

Selections from The Nutcracker

Last Saturday, on the first, we got to see our sweet niece, Lauren dance to selections from The Nutcracker. This was her third year to dance in this wonderful Christmas program, but the first time Russell and I saw her.

 Here she is in her dress for the party scene.

 The music was so beautiful. The orchestra played many Christmas selections that were so familiar to most everyone. One of my favorites is "In the Bleak Midwinter". I was glad they played it.

 Even Santa Claus made an appearance.

 Lauren dancing.

 She was also a little baker! So fun!

 We love supporting Lauren and love her so much.

Me, Russell, Lauren, Mama, and B.A.

The girls!

Mama, Kelly, Lauren and me

She is the best ever!

Instead of flowers after the ballet, we gave her Essie nail polish in "ballet slippers." I figured it would be very appropriate for the occasion. :)

Russell loves being Logan's uncle. Logan is just growing up. Wow!

We had a great time and are already anxious to see them during Christmas. Listening to a live Christmas orchestra and seeing ballet to The Nutcracker was the perfect beginning to our Christmas season!

 

Praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe. Psalm 150:4