Sooo, December just literally flew by! We had a lot going on, but when do we not? We started the month with my choir “Family Christmas” celebration the first weekend. We had performances Saturday and Sunday evenings & it was really wonderful! We LOVE our church and are so blessed to be a part of wonderful ministries. While we were preparing for the Christmas concert, Haley was busy with dress rehearsals for her part in dancing the Nutcracker with the Brandon Ballet Company.
Haley & Lorin are in 6th grade, and are part of an awesome 6th grade ministry at our church! Each month (on or really close to the 6th), there are special outings, called the “6th Grade Serendipity”. The 6th graders get togeher and do an assortment of things like, family game night, going to nearby fast food restaurants and having an appetizer at one,dinner at another, dessert at another…, well, December’s event was really great. I was able to chaparone (yay!)… we met at the church, went to the mall, had dinner and shopped for local needy children in the “Sincerely Santa” program. We had 2 hours a budget of $24 and a list from an 8 year old girl to “Santa”. We bargain shopped most of her list and then the girls wanted to use some of their own money to help get EVERYTHING on her list! This is something I think we will do as a family each year! The girls overwhelm me with the heart and compassion for others (tear).
The Nutcracker was the second weekend of December. Haley LOVES ballet and loves her ballet sisters in the company. I served as a “quick change” backstage mom for the 2nd year and I really love being a part of all of the backstage action, plus it’s extra time with my Haley girl 
Woohoo! Nutcracker is over! Yay for mommy who drives all around town, sad for Haley who will miss seeing her friends ALL THE TIME!
The 3rd week was really crazy with parties at school performances at school, etc. The girls already have dance classes every day except Wednesday, but this week, we had a school dance performance as well as an orchestra performance in addition!!! Little Santana is just along for the ride, but he LOVES seeing his big sisters on the stage and was perfectly behaved!!
Yay! Christmas break = No school, no alarm, no bedtime for 2 weeks!!!!!!
The first Monday of Christmas Break, we headed over to cousin Marie’s house to do our annual “Cookies with Grandma Day”. Grandma Lazzara “supervises” as Marie and Gina do most of the work, the kids have a blast and it seems like I just hang out and eat
One of my very favorite Christmas traditionas is piling in the car in our jammies and bringing lots of blankets (because it’s usually cold) and going out to see Christmas LIGHTS!!! We heard of a nearby place that sets up an amazing display that’s about 1/2 mily long. You stay in your car and drive to see the most beautiful colorful light display! It’s called Night of Shimmering Lights off of highway 60 and Dover Road. It’s $20 per car and you can drive it twice. There’s a 1/2 way point where they sell HOT donuts and hot chocolate
Rich has some video on his phone. If I can think to remmeber to ask him to eamil it to me, I’ll add it to the blog later
Next up, Register family (my mother’s side) Christmas party at my cousin Jennifer & Mike’s house!! THE BEST FOOD EVER!!!! Uncle Kenneth’s collards are to DIE FOR! Mike makes a roast, we have a ham, everyone brings sides & desserts… I did Paula Deen’s Mac & Cheese, there was my Mama’s candied yams (best thing I’ve ever eaten) and much much more!!
The kids had a blast, especially Avery with her cousin Carley (who is 18 & #1 Babysitter). Our nephew, Christian is quite the ladies man. The girls absolutely adore him
Santana is a horrible eater when we are at parties, so we just give him a cup and put crackers, bread, pieces of ham, cookies and m&m’s in it when he comes around
One of the kids Christmas gifts (mainly for Santana) was a trip to Disney World on the Wednesday before Christmas. Uncle Tony joined us and we had a blast taking Santana for his first time!! a 3 year old whole LOVES Mickey and anything Disney, at Disney World for the 1st time is truly magical
Here are a few of my favorite pictures!
We stayed very busy all of December, and had a wonderful time making new memories! My next post will catch you up on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day & New Years…
