Snow?!?!

The weather forecasters were saying we might have snow on Christmas day way before Christmas.  I really didn't believe it at first. After all, last year was the mildest winter and as a matter fact it is often warmer here than it is even in AL.  It started out as a few inches and by the day before Christmas they were forecasting 6-10 inches of snow for our area.  It became evident we were REALLY going to get snow!

Anyways, it came in the afternoon of Christmas Day. Thankfully, I was already scheduled to be off from work the next day and had planned to leave for AL 2 days after Christmas.  It started as freezing rain and turned to snow by about 5 pm that night.  In just a couple hours the snow was mounting up.  It ended up being 7 INCHES!! Unfortunately, Adam was scheduled to work the next day and it was unsafe to drive.  The manager was away and Adam was in charge. They ended up delaying opening until about 12:00 noon and ended up closing early about 4:30pm because they were getting little business and it was unsafe for them to be out after dark when every thing re-freezed. 

Anyway, the real kicker is we lost power about 3pm Christmas Day.  It finally came back on about 7pm the next night.  Because of this, it made for an interesting Christmas for us.  It quickly got cold and dark in our home.  The next day we did get out and take our groceries to an old neighbor's house to salvage some of them and got showers as well as got something hot to eat at Wendy's.  We were getting ready to go stay with Adam's boss the 2nd day the power was off and then if came back on.  We were so relieved!  

Also, on Thursday when we left to go to AL 70 East was still really bad from all the trees that fell from the winter storm in the road and slick roads.  The highway was down to one lane in a lot of areas due to these conditions. We made it safe though, but it was a LONG trip due to all the delays.

Needless to say, we were thankful for what we may consider the little things...

Christmas 2012

Now days all I am motivated and have time to do is update on the major occasions.  Lots have happened throughout the month of December.

This Christmas we did not celebrate Christmas with family until after Christmas.  Since Adam works retail and is in management it makes it very hard for him to be off during these prime retail seasons.  So we left the Thursday after Christmas and was gone to AL through the following Wednesday (we came back home to AR yesterday).  In the months leading to Christmas we had lots of Christmas parties at church for the kids and Grace had a Christmas party at school, a Christmas program at school, Breakfast with Santa at Grace's School, Pajama Day at school and more. 

Grace got to give back this Christmas season. Her school had a gently used toy drive and she and I went through her toy box and she voluntarily gave away toys to children in need. We also had many other opportunities to buy for other children in need this Christmas season. As a matter of fact she only asked for a few small things for Christmas and she asked why Santa brought her that when she did not ask for it.  We are trying to teach her to be giving and what Christmas is really all about.  Nonetheless, she was super excited for Christmas to get here and loved every thing she got and she was blessed!!!

Our time spent in AL was much needed and also was a time for rest.  We got to see most everybody including some really good friends of ours Eric and Shea with their two children.  It is always hard to go but it was good to also be home.  Here is some pictures of some of our activities over the last month :)

 Grace with one of her best friends Michelle at Breakfast with Santa

 Ms. Bridges and the kids during the Christmas party

 Grace and Vann

 Presents!!!

 Grace and cousins Vann and Kyle

 Granny and Grace.. up, 

Cousin Amanda, below

 John Curtis, Aaron, Grace, Emily, and Andrew.. cousins

 Nana and Paw Paw

 Grace and I with Grandma

 Our Family

 Beating up Uncle Adam :)

 Nana, Grace and friends Mallory and Marti

Fun times with Emily and Mallory

 

Thanksgiving 2012

Grace had a little Thanksgiving meal and program before Thanksgiving at her school.  They were so cute on the stage singing and doing their motions.  Thankfully, this year I was able to go during my lunch break.  

Mom and Gary came for Thanksgiving this year.  We had so much fun. Mom and I went Black Friday shopping late Thursday night and got some really good deals too. We love doing that together.  We also went and looked at Christmas Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens while they were here.. although it did start a light rain on us while we were there it was very pretty and Grace liked that too! 

Halloween 2012

Lots have happened since I posted last. I'm going to try to quickly update....
For Halloween we took Grace to Magic Springs Amusement Park for the trick or treating there. That was great family time too! Grace decided on being a cat this year. She loved the thought of having her face painted!! :)  In the week leading up to Halloween we also made a quick trip to AL for Adam's Granny's funeral. She had been sick for a little while but it was still hard.

On actual Halloween day Grace's class had a Halloween party that Adam and I went to.  We turned Grace costume into a cat woman as well as for church that night. For the Halloween party at church they were suppose to dress up in a super hero. That is why we turned it into cat woman and for school it was easier for her to take this to change into for her party so she wouldn't have to have her face painted. The party wasn't until the afternoon.

We also celebrated a few Birthdays throughout October/ November.  Adam and I also got plugged in Crossgate Church. We are teaching the 3rd grade class on Sunday morning there and the 2nd grade class on Wednesday night. Grace is loving our new church too. Exciting things happening at our church!