'Tis the Season...

...to be busy!!!

Saturday,

-we went to Nate's basketball game (which is still a work in progress :)

-we went to a cookie decorating party for the neighborhood (didn't get to take any pictures there.....with 13 kids in attendance, icing & sprinkles were flying everywhere!)

-we attended a friend's birthday party

Sunday,

-we went to a "birthday party for Jesus" after mass. Look at this cute craft the kids made!

 -thankfully, Nate's basketball practice was cancelled, so we got to take a breather for a bit

-and then it was time for the Neighborhood Christmas Party!! 

This is something we look forward to every year. Everyone brings a drink/appetizer/dessert and we gather in the cul-de-sac for food, fun, and horse-drawn carriage rides around the neighborhood! This of course is the kids favorite part. And mine too b/c we get to check out all the luminaries everyone has lit. (Which brings me back to my Clemmons West days - I always loved the luminaries we put out in the neighborhood I grew up in!)

It was COLD last night, so everyone bundled up. The kids even had tights & pj pants under their pants. Ha!

 We were second in line to get on the carriage. Score! And please don't mind my cone-shaped hat. Like I said, it was cold.....so I was going for warmth over style. Ha!

Our next door neighbors. Love them!

Abby & Loa Harper playing "Ring Around the Rosie" :)

Blonde cuties

 After lots of snacks, hot chocolate, sitting by the fire pits, playing tag, throwing the football, and eating too many sweets, we took a 2nd carriage ride and added this guy:

Nate's BFF, Jack!

The kids loved seeing our house, all lit up:

You can see our house, way in the distance :)

Love this neighborhood and all the families and the traditions it has! I think someone said this party has been going on for 50+ years. In fact, the people whose carport we use for all the food/drinks were told when they bought the house a few years ago that they were required to host the Christmas Party. Ha! This neighborhood is serious about their parties & that horse-drawn carriage :)