"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you.

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  

Christmas has been nice.  We spent a quiet day at home today before we make the 12 hour trip to Pittsburgh tomorrow.  We plan on visiting our family for a few days and then head to the ski slopes for some fun in the snow.  Hopefully when we come back I'll have a few good pictures to post of our trip.  Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays! 

College letters

Kelly looks calm here as she looks over the letters from two of the colleges that she applied for.  But, I think she is just worn out from dancing around in the kitchen after opening them!  She finally heard back from Emory and Wake Forest and they both accepted her.  Now comes the hard part in making up her mind which one to go to.  With pre-med as her major, either one will be a good fit, but Emory is definitely my top choice for her. She has to decide by the middle of January so we will know soon! 

Congratulations Kelly!!

  Yesterday I had to move this poinsettia from in front of my fireplace because it was replaced by a roaring fire.  I finally had my firewood delivered for the upcoming cold days.  I thought of how different things are from long ago.  I remember a time when we would scan the newspapers looking for "free wood you pick up" adds so we could stay warm  in our first home.  We would clear out people's yard of their cut down trees thinking we had the best deal.  I know now that they had "free labor" in us clearing out their yard!  But, I guess we both made out in the end.  As I wrote out the check yesterday for the wood, I thought how easy things have gotten.  The wood was cut, delivered and then stacked in the back yard by my oldest son.  Why though, do I look back and always think that those were the easy years??!  lol

Kelly's Dolls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each year at Christmas I give Kelly a porcelain doll.  This year I put some of them below one of our trees and it looks beautiful.  I'm deciding whether this year will be the last time I give her one since she'll be turning 18 next month.  I know she is too old for dolls, but I see it as a collection to keep.   Having only one daughter, I always wanted to buy her dolls for Christmas.  When she got too old for that, I switched to porcelain dolls to display.  Maybe I should just ask her how she feels about it.  I might be surprised.  Maybe I was only appeasing my feelings all this time!  lol

 

 

 

 

 We had a Christmas dinner Saturday night at the Atlanta National Golf Club in Alpharetta.  The club was decorated beautifully for the season.  Dinner was good and occupied by entertainment that was even better.  It started off with a band of Spanish musicians, followed by a Mid Eastern belly dancer and later on a jazz band.  It was a variety of music that kept things interesting and had the dance floor moving.     

 

 

A fun night was had by all and everyone was waiting up when we got home even thought it was very late.  Once again Kelly took hold of the camera and snapped away.  As you can tell by this after party picture, it was obvious who the designated driver was.  lol

 

 

Our Christmas cards went out in the mail today.  Each year we do the family photo thing even though I hear grunts and groans from those who don't want to do it.  This year seemed to go a little easier and everyone was relaxed and smiled for the photographer! (And it was done without bribes!  lol )   
Merry Christmas to all my computer friends!

 

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta:  Festival of Trees

Once again our holiday season kicked off at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.  Each year we volunteer at this event that benefits children's healthcare.  The many displays of trees, gingerbread houses, wreaths, specialty shops and children's activities are on grand display this week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year we worked in the fishing booth. It  was so much fun seeing the kids surprised faces as they pulled out the "fish" that was on the hook.  They smiled when that fish was actually little toys put on the hook by the guys inside the booth. 

 

After the excitement of seeing beautifully adorned trees all around us, we came home to a fully decorated tree which Daniel had completed.  This jump started my efforts of getting all the lights hung outside and in.  I'm completed now with this task and feel ahead of the game.  I will have to say that our trees at home are just as beautiful as those at the festival.