Mason Memories: Christmas in Durham

Christmas was such a fun experience this year! We planned to be with the Mason clan for the holiday, but only this time we celebrated at Aunt Rachel and Uncle Daniel's home in North Carolina. It was a smooth trip there - especially since both children had their very own Leappad's to keep them occupied - and we made lots of fun memories along the way. This was the first Christmas that both of them grasped what was going on and they were filled with excitement.

Who wouldn't be excited to hang out with their awesome aunt and uncle?!

We arrived late Monday night, but had just enough time to get hugs and kisses in with Grandmother and Grandaddy before bed.

The way to McClain's heart is through his stomach - especially chocolate.

Tuesday was our first full day in Durham and we enjoyed catching up with the family. We took the children to a nearby park and let them play to their hearts' content. It was freezing outside so it was also fun to play indoors the rest of the day. Especially working on tools with Grandad.

Or reading books with Uncle Daniel.

Back to those Leappads again...hey, mama needs a break too. ;)
(I just love those sweet piggies).

Daniel and Rachel took us to a Christmas Eve candlelight service at a local church. It was nice to hear Christmas songs and be with loved ones on that sacred day. Later that night, a very sleepy Santa waited and waited for two rambunctious little people to stay in bed so ~~she~~ he could set up the loot. I have a new appreciation for things like this my parents did for me all those years ago.

At 4:30am the next morning, Lucy Mills and McClain scrambled into Grandmother and Grandaddy's room for some snuggles and did Santa come?!?! conversation. The rest of the sleepyheads hesitantly gathered around the coffee pot for a pick-me-up before the present opening began.

McClain was most excited about his drum and tambourine set, while Lucy Mills was giddy about opening a basketball.

Princess dress ups, dolls, and puzzles seemed to occupy this girly girl for a bit.

The big box in the corner just couldn't stand there unopened any longer.

Both children have expressed interest in a piano and Grandmother and Grandaddy delivered the goods. The most wonderful keyboard has been used everyday since Christmas. I am so thankful to have music, albeit mostly loud and clanging, in my home. Travis is so musically inclined and he is passing down that passion to our children.
Here is McClain playing some tunes for Tucker.

Daniel and Rachel gave Lucy Mills the most precious tea set. She loves it and keeps it in her room for safe keeping from little brother.

Our sweet princess wore her dress ups for three days straight and even showed us how a "ballerina princess" dances.

Things were all graceful and girly until that cute little brother comes in to steal the attention away.

McClain loves his tool set and likes to fix things alongside Daddy.

A cute story - After getting home from Durham, I was discussing with Lucy Mills what it means to serve others with a joyful heart. She was asking questions and I was giving her examples of ways we show love and kindness to other people by serving them - preparing meals, cleaning up, sharing toys, letting people come to our home, etc. Lucy Mills followed up with "like Aunt Rachel has a servant's heart and lets us come over and she gives us supper?" Exactly sweet one. Exactly. We were so blessed by Rachel and Daniel both to host our family for Christmas.