Christmas Memories

As we reflect on this year's Christmas, we will remember it as William's first Christmas...and his first trip to Cashiers. After the snow storm that blasted the East Coast, we were glad Graham finally made it "home". We took both boys to the Christmas Eve service and were pleasantly surprised at how well they did...Thompson was quiet and attentive, joining in the singing of the carols and even taking communion while William slept through the entire service! Thompson baked Christmas cookies with Aunt G and Mamere, making a special one for Santa - complete with all the toppings. Thompson was shocked to see that Santa brought him a new Polar Express DVD. (Santa must have known that he had scratched the one Santa gave his last year.) And as a "big 4-year old", he was eager to open his presents and help others with theirs as well. In opening gifts, there were special surprises for everyone! Of course, we were most thankful for the time spent with our families, as we celebrated the most important gift of all - Jesus Christ.

"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

Polar Express Train Ride

It's Tuesday...so it must be "Polar Express" day! Dressed in his newest pajamas and robe, Thompson was ready to head to the train station for his inaugural ride on the "Polar Express" this evening with Annie, Poppy, Mamere and Papere.

2009 Christmas Card

Polar Express Birthday Party

When asked what kind of cake Thompson wanted for his birthday, he instantly replied, "a Polar Express cake with a train on top." So what better idea, than to host a "Polar Express" birthday party! This year's celebration was one we won't soon forget...
* Graham continued her birthday tradition of purchasing the cake and coordinating its details...and as you can see from the pictures, this year's cake was not only spectacular, but also delicious. Thanks Aunt G!

* To commemorate the "hot chocolate" scene, the kids enjoyed making their own "hot, hot chocolate" mix.

2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
1/8 teaspoon salt

Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk until evenly blended.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature until you are ready to enjoy and/or share.

Add 3 tablespoons mix to 1 cup (8 oz) of steamed milk. Stir well.

Garnish with marshmellows.

Enjoy!

Yield: ~ 4 cups mix

* The previous day's snowfall provided the perfect weather for a "Polar Express" party (despite the havoc it created in getting the cake delivered and cancelling Aunt G's flight into Asheville from NYC).

* Thompson's first birthday as a big brother.

* With Thompson's ever-increasing fascination for "The Polar Express" movie since last Christmas, his grandparents gave him a ticket on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad's Polar Express for his birthday. He was totally surprised and "wowed over" upon learning of this special event. We have no doubt that he will inform everyone he meets over the next couple days that "on Tuesday I'm going on the Polar Express and it is going to take an hour and a half to get to the North Pole."

Winter Wonderland

The snow came in last night, which resulted in one of the biggest snows we've seen in years...10+ inches on our back deck! (Bobby and I can't recall an accumulation of this amount since we've been married.) Thompson enjoyed playing in the snow, sledding with his neighborhood friends, making snow angels, helping daddy shovel the driveway, throwing snowballs and drinking countless cups of hot chocolate. As for William, he made it outside for a few moments as well.

view from our driveway

3 + 1 = 4

Four years ago, the Lord blessed us with Thompson. Here's wishing our "big" boy a very happy birthday. Who knew 4 years could go by so fast!?

Mom's Boys

Firsts

Today was a day of special "firsts" for William - his first snow and his first acting debut. The snow wasn't a noteworthy snow, but it was snow nonetheless. As for acting, William took the stage as Baby Jesus in our church's annual Carolina Mountain Christmas Spectacular production.

Candy Land

Another picture worth a thousand words...over the past week, Candy Land has fast become Thompson's newest favorite board game!