C H R I S T M A S 2024

I don't have photos of first-thing Christmas morning. Jake secretly set up his phone to video our time together, reading the story of Jesus's birth and then opening our gifts. It will be a sweet memory in future years. 

Christmas brunch: cinnamon rolls, sausage links, scrambled eggs, pineapple & mango.

We have been living at the skate park. In fact, as I am typing this on 12/28, just this week we have hit Ogden skate park 4 times, Surf City skate park once and the plan is to visit Carolina Beach skate park tomorrow. The kids got Jake his own skateboard for Christmas so we hit the Ogden Skate Park mid-morning on Christmas day. Benny used his Christmas money and purchased a new skateboard at 17th street surf shop.

Christmas dinner (really a late lunch): glazed spiral ham, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, roasted sweet potato, roasted brussel sprouts and zweibach, a Flaming family tradition

We have been enjoying our time together, playing a lot of games and watching Christmas movies.

Enchanted Airlie

Last night, we went to experience Enchanted Airlie. It was our advent activity. We did this years ago when the kids were very small, and probably with a double stroller. It was a beautiful night, not too cold and the lights were great.

The Airlie Oak was absolutely beautiful.

Enjoying the *fake* snow

Basketball

 

Lily & Ella are both playing basketball again this year. And this year I am assisting the head coach. We are having fun! They have both transitioned to post players, which makes my heart happy. The team is very young so it is a great year for growth. Very proud of them for working hard every game. 

ILM Kitchen: "finished"

Remember back in August when we demoed our kitchen? I posted progress along the way: HERE & HERE & HERE. We have had a working and almost finished kitchen for months but there have been a few tedious tasks left on the punch list: shelving, kitchen toe kicks and then repaint the dining room. Well, it is done....ish...still some minor cutting in of green dining room paint. Oh, and a plate rack above the microwave.

Here it is and we are so pleased with the result. In fact, last night we had 30+ people here for our community group Christmas Party. It was so nice to be able to move around in the kitchen and converse.

Absolutely LOVE this patterned tile.

Dining Room Paint Color: Celery Seed by Magnolia

Serenity Mae, N I N E

 

Happy 9th Birthday, W R E N

Birthday breakfast: cinnamon rolls

When the kids were little, we started opening presents in the morning so they could play with their gifts all day. Well, we can't break the tradition now. So it's early breakfast & gifts before school.

Basketball game and then birthday dinner at Islands.

Another way we celebrated Wren was a trip to the salon on Saturday morning, December 7. This was her very first time having her hair braided at a salon. We told her about this a month ago so she could pick what hairstyle she would like - cornrows. She did great and she absolutely loves the final product.

Merry Christmas from The Flaming's

 

Merry Christmas from The Flaming's

Advent Begins

Every year, on December 1 we begin advent at our house. Years ago, I made this advent calendar. We still use it today. Yesterday, on December 1 we began our advent blocks that lays out the story of Jesus coming to earth. Today, our advent activity was to decorate a gingerbread house. 

Rather than tiny little gifts in our advent calendar, I fill each day with simple things to bring our family together. A few things we will be doing this year: making cookies, writing letters, looking at Christmas lights, the living nativity, enjoying hot chocolate, reading books and playing games.

Thanksgiving in PA

After our quick stop in DC, we drove on to Lancaster, PA to visit our dear friends - the Hrovath's. I was born & raised in Lancaster, PA, and it was especially fun to go back and show Lancaster to Jake & the kids. The very best part of Lancaster was soaking up the time with our friends! This family is a gift: the kids all getting along, the friendships, the time speaking of God's guidance in each of our lives, the endless play and conversations. Our 5 days together went way too fast.

Park City with the big girls on Wednesday evening.

Alan doing all the turkey prep.

THANKSGIVING DAY

We explored Lancaster County on Friday.

Friday night tree lighting in downtown Lancaster

Friday Dinner at Southern Market

Friends since 5th/6th grade

cold Saturday morning run

Saturday sugar cookie baking & decorating

Twinsies & Besties