Santa Pictures

A Tree Hunting We Will Go

Recently, we traveled to a small town right outside of Boone, NC to meet up with some friends and cut down our Christmas tree. Our friends, the Walfords, had rented a cabin in the mountains for Thanksgiving, and they were generous enough to share their cabin and their feast with us.

Since we met them on the Friday after Thanksgiving (after I had shopped my heart out) we were able to take advantage of all of Ginger's wonderful holiday creations. We had more food than we knew what to do with and for four adults and eleven, yes eleven children, that is an unusual problem!

But after a lovely trip up, football on the front lawn and clear, crisp, picturesque surroundings, it was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. After a wonderful dinner and dessert we all watched movies and played games until the little ones fell asleep. Sam, Ginger and their youngest Peter shared a bedroom and Jeff, myself and Nehemiah shared the other room leaving the remaining nine kids in the great room on a couch, futon and air mattress. Surprisingly, they all fell asleep (eventually) and stayed asleep until at least 6:30am.

Watching the guys play football, from the warm cabin of course! Setting the table for 15!Playing games and watching movies.Gorgeous morning sunrise.Ginger does everything with flair, including breakfast at 7:00am. After an incredible breakfast, we packed up the car and drove down the driveway (the cabin was nestled in the Christmas tree lot) to go pick out our tree. Jeff and the kids had fun looking for just the right one, but it was mom's approval that really sealed the deal! We found a beautiful, straight Frasier Fur standing at a perfect 7 1/2 feet. After cutting, shaking and loading it up, we were all ready for lunch. This time we gave Ginger a break and we all stopped for subs right across the street from App State Stadium. Jeff was in heaven, subs, ESPN playing in the restaurant and the stadium across the street. The perfect tree! App State Our lovely hosts.

Finally our Norman Rockwell weekend came to an end. After a very quite drive home, we put up our tree and trimmed it with lights. Now it's Christmas!

Giving Thanks

So Thanksgiving was like two weeks ago right? I seem to be a bit late (story of my life!). Thanksgiving is doubly special in our home because we also celebrate Micah's birthday and this year he turned three.

Every Thanksgiving our family has a tradition of making a turkey and a few pies for our church outreach on Thanksgiving Day. This year was no different with Jeff setting the alarm at 4am to get our bird in the oven. Once we all got up later that morning, we simply took the first turkey out and got him ready for transport and put our dinner bird in, so the oven was already nice and toasty. That afternoon our extended family began to arrive for dinner. This year it was a special treat to have my Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill in from Ohio as well as our local family.

After a lovely dinner, we celebrated Micah's birthday with an amazing cookie from Harris Teeter. Everyone loved the cookie cake, especially Nehemiah! And, after many full bellies and hours of football, we said goodbye to our family and began to prepare for the greatest shopping day of the year!

My mom spent the night on Thanksgiving night so that we could get an early, er late start. We actually left first at 11:30pm that night, shopped until 2am then came home to rest until we headed back out at 6am. Thank goodness for Target's price match, we were able to finish up our shopping for Christmas that Friday.

We are so thankful for all of God's blessings on our lives, family, friends and the newest little Davis due in June!

A Fall Song

Golden and red trees Nod to the soft breeze, As it whispers, "Winter is near;" And the brown nuts fall At the wind's loud call, For this is the Fall of the year.

Good-by, sweet flowers! Through bright Summer hours You have filled our hearts with cheer We shall miss you so, And yet you must go, For this is the Fall of the year.

Now the days grow cold, As the year grows old, And the meadows are brown and sere; Brave robin redbreast Has gone from his nest, For this is the Fall of the year.

I do softly pray At the close of day, That the little children, so dear, May as purely grow As the fleecy snow That follows the Fall of the year.

-A Fall Song by Ellen Robena Field

Saved!

Last year in Vacation Bible School, Calla asked Jesus Christ into her heart. We are so proud of how much she grows and matures as a Christian everyday. And fortunately, we are not the only ones to see the fruit of the Lord in her. This Sunday at church she was asked to share her testimony with all of Kidzone (K-2nd grade) and Zone 345 (3rd-5th grade). What a wonderful blessing it was to capture such an amazing moment on video and I can't wait to share it with everyone. Please keep in mind that Calla is very soft spoken on video so you may need to turn it up just a bit. We sure are proud of our "little preacher".

Parties, Parades and more Pumpkins (October Wrap-up)

I had hoped to being writing a post filled with breathtaking hot air balloon pictures and picturesque countryside. However, since we spent our Saturday on the side of the interstate instead of at the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Anderson, SC I have decided to go with a wrap up of our October instead. By the way, our van is being fixed as I write and boy do I miss having transportation. Praise God for the blessing of good friends who came to pick us up on the highway and also friends that took us to church Sunday!

Well October is full of birthdays for friends and family. It was Grandpa's birthday in the beginning of the month and Jeff's at the end. We had a great time celebrating both as well as some fun kids parties. One friend hosted an adorable tea party for her daughters 5th birthday. The girls and I had a ball dressing up and drinking tea and the boys had a man-day at Lowes Home Improvement making a flying bat project.

Jeff's cake and presents.

The girls ready for their tea party at the Joneses.

The week before Halloween, we went to Albemarle for their annual Halloween parade (which all costumed kids could march in) and then Trick or Treating at several local businesses downtown. After a full afternoon of marching and candy we went to visit the pharmacy where my mom works part time and of course, they had candy for the kids as well...lots of candy.

Marching in the parade, Nehemiah had to be Charlie Brown again because it was much to hot for his dragon costume.

Then Saturday, strangely enough, we had nothing to do! Calla's friend Taylor came over and the girls carved a pumpkin all by themselves. They found a cute template, took turns cutting and then proudly displayed their pumpkin, candle and all.

Now that we are well into November, I think I will have to start a post about something other than Halloween or pumpkins:)