December Holiday Recap

This year we enjoyed spending our Christmas break with the Manz family in Georgia. There was a 5 hour window where all of Jonathan's immediate family overlapped in Greenville, SC where his youngest brother had Sunday commitments at his church and we all met up (see photo ops below). We spent a week of our break then at his parent's house in Augusta area and Heath enjoyed all things Grandpa and Grandma (and Uncle Chris/Aunt Aisha, Uncle Greg/Aunt Whitney/Kirby the dog).

We returned to Blacksburg this weekend to spend Jonathan's birthday and New Year's at home with our friends the Chinns. We were all super proud that the kids went down by 9pm and we actually stayed awake until midnight! I made a delicious peppermint ice cream cake, whose recipe I'd recommend here: http://blog.hwtm.com/2009/12/peppermint-ice-cream-cake-so-good/

Today we took down our Christmas tree and decorations. It was a little challenging to keep explaining why to Heath. He kept asking if it wasn't Jesus' birthday anymore. Challenging because I have to limit myself in not explaining to him that December 25th is not the 'real' birth date, but why we should celebrate year round- but then why we are putting decorations away?... it's a vicious circle. Anyhow- one of my favorite Christmas traditions that Jonathan and I have started since our First together (dating in 2006) is taking a picture for an annual photo ornament. Here is the growing collection in review:

And if you missed the Manz family Christmas card, here is a link:
http://youtu.be/ukz_h_iRE1A

Happy New Year!