Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Eve

This was our first Christmas in South Carolina. It was different having such a quiet holiday when we are used to the hustle and bustle of travel between NY and CT. We missed our family but it was nice to have a laid back holiday with no time constraints.

On Christmas Eve we went to 4 pm mass, came home, ate some dinner and went to the holiday lights in nearby Elgin, SC. This family decorates their houses and opens up their storage units and runs trains until 9 pm. The event is completely free but they do accept donations for the local children's hospital.

We think this is the last year that Jack will believe in Santa. We had been watching the Santa tracker all day and by evening, Santa was in Finland. Once we got to the Christmas Lights, Santa was there also. Jack immediately looked at us and said "How can Santa be here, he's in Finland!" uh-oh. We told him this was Santa's helper for kids who didn't get a chance to tell Santa what they wanted. He believes it, for now. I'm so not ready for him to give up the magic of Santa!

We went with our friends the Graetz's. They moved here this summer and live on Ft. Jackson and the kids had a blast, but it was cooollddd.....Once we got home, we decorated a gingerbread man for Santa and went to bed waiting for his arrival!

 The kids dressed up right before Christmas Eve mass.


The Elgin Lights 


Looking at all the trains 




On the Hayride 


Jack and Jackson 










Jack on the John Deere tractor 


Silly little elves 




Jack in the Box 



Hopefully not a sign of the future 


Gingerbread and a note for Santa, carrots for the reindeer

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