Making Memories

Our perfect tree we got in Banner Elk sat in a bucket of water for about a week before it made its debut into our living room. We have another tree that isn't real that we put in the breakfast room. Here we are fluffing and decorating this tree. Sarah was taking them off of the tree as fast as we could get them on. The living room tree has too many breakable ornaments so I decorated that one after the little ones went to bed. Unfortunately I never took a picture of either one completely decorated.

Sarah sat in her high chair not being entertained with the Fisher-Price Nativity pieces. It wasn't long before they all hit the floor.

The boys fluffing out the branches.

The next morning we headed to Winston-Salem to The Candle Tea. You stand in line for a long time (Thanks Mom and Daddy for saving us a spot!) before going into the Single Brothers house where you sing, watch them make candles, have a bite of Sugar Cake and coffee, see the Putz, and their nativity. I have been going almost every year since I was a young girl (maybe 4???) and now my children are going. Sarah did not go this year. Aunt Jamie and Natalie played with her at their house. I think Sarah enjoyed all of Natalie's dolls. It was probably nice to be around all girl toys instead of the boy toys she's used to seeing.

The Moravian Star that hangs in the foyer of the Single Brothers House.

The ladies showing us how they make candles for the Moravian Love Feast on Christmas Eve.

The Putz- a depiction made to scale of Old Salem.

The big Nativity Scene. An older lady always reads the Christmas story as she lights each part of the Nativity.

Jackson remembered the water pump. He had to go make the water flow despite all the snow and freezing temps.

Surprise! It started snowing while we were standing in line. This was a snow that was quite unexpected. They weren't calling for anything until that night so we were not prepared. By the time we walked out of the Single Brothers House, the ground was covered. This is us walking back to our car.

Days later Sarah is still trying to redecorate the tree. She has now left them both alone. She will look at the tree, point to it and say, "Mo, Mo, Mo". That's her version of No, No, No"