December

Whew!  December was a whirlwind and was lots of fun!  Erin was an altar server on Sunday the 1st...she is loving doing this, and seems to be getting more comfortable each time she does it.  Bob started out the month with a trip to California, and we ladies were busy with the usual school, activities, volunteering, etc.  We enjoyed an extra day off on Monday the 2nd from the Thanksgiving break and had a ladies' lunch at Olive Garden.  The following Saturday was Erin's first piano mock recital for the year, and she enjoyed being in a new age group of 5th-7th graders this year.  Anna, Finley, and I went to see Santa at his kennel/groomer. 



Sunday, we had a super fun day trip to Concord for Ben and Cole's birthdays, plus a football extravaganza and cookie decorating!



The following week was probably the most busy because we had some extra fun holiday events at school. First, we made cookies over the weekend for the teachers' cookie exchange (I laugh every year that the parents provide the cookies for the teachers to "exchange"...they have it made!), then was the Christmas pageant, which Anna was a part of as an angel.  I got to help with two dress rehearsals and the main performance as a "dresser"...making sure the kids had their costumes on the right way and watching them backstage.  It was busy and fun!  Erin also sang carols with her music class in the lobby of the church before the pageant began.  It was a great evening! 



That week was also the Santa's Secret Workshop at school, but I only got to volunteer one morning to help the kids shop because of the pageant stuff.  And, finally, the 4th grade Christmas party was Friday morning before the early release, and it was a blast helping with the "winter wear relay" race station!  Whew!  After all of that, the kids had their dentist appointment Friday afternoon (no cavities, and Erin gets to wait 6 more months before a possible orthodontist visit), and then the Red Hat annual holiday party that evening.  The girls enjoyed having old babysitter Annie, who was home from college for her winter break.  That Saturday, we ladies went to see Bellamy do a beautiful job dancing in the Nutcracker at the Fuquay Arts Center, then Anna went to friend Noella's party.  What a week!

How could I forget?!  Finley's honorary first birthday was on the 12th, and he enjoyed some gifts and a homemade dog cake.  He's not spoiled at all.

  

Sunday the 15th, Anna had friends Caroline and Gerald over to play, as well as Nina and Laney...they decorated a gingerbread house, played outside, and, of course, played video games.  

After that, we went to the annual Wescott Cookies and Cocoa with Santa and hayride, which we missed last year, and had a great time! 



Bob left Monday the 16th for a week in Dublin and enjoyed seeing a new city and country.  He reported that the people and beer/whiskey were great, but food wasn't as good.  Erin had a great field trip (despite some rain) on Tuesday the 17th to the Eno River Park in Durham for a program put on by Schoolhouse of Wonder on Native American and early settler life in the region.  I had never heard of this group, but it was a really great hands-on program!  I enjoyed it as well. 



Then, Erin had her checkup after school and got a great report.  We are so proud of her!  Finley was under the care of neighbor Cate that day while we were all away and apparently was on a potty strike, but did fine otherwise.  Friday the 20th was holiday dance sharing day, so I got to camp out at dance and see two really great dances!  We were all happy to have made it through the 3 busy weeks and enjoyed some relaxed cookie-making on the 21st, followed by a fun time at Liz and David's annual soiree that evening.



Sunday the 22nd, after Erin served as an altar server at mass, she and I went to the dance school and watched the ballet company do a quick Nutcracker performance.  Monday, we ladies went caroling at Ms. Mona's assisted living center and really enjoyed that...followed by a chick fila lunch, Sarah playdate/trip to Defy, and game day.  The 24th, we went to Concord for fun family Christmas! 



Then, back home for the Tierney Christmas Eve Elf Party (we were in charge of prizes, which seemed to go over well), and then to bed for Santa to come...and he did!  We all, including Finley, had lots of fun opening presents on Christmas morning, then off to church where Erin served again.  Then, back home to relax and enjoy the day and set up our new tv in the bonus room (!).  It was a really fun day!



The next day was the big shopping extravaganza for the 2020 Santa's Secret Workshop at school.  This year, Erin wanted to help me, and we had so much fun hitting 8 Walmarts in one day!  Then it was home to log and organize everything and load the Suburban for transport to school. 





The 27th, we did a little more shopping and then had a fun Christmas celebration with the Callaways and Flanagans!  On Saturday the 28th, Grandma A. and the Summer family came to visit, and we had a blast in the hot tub, playing inside and outside, and had a taco dinner!  We all got to meet sweet Bonnie, their new doggie, and she and Finley had a great time playing/wrestling for hours! 





Sunday the 29th was church and a few errands while Anna went to friend Maddy's house.  Monday the 30th, Anna had Sofia here to sleep over and we started taking Christmas stuff down.  On the 31st, Anna went to Caroline's house (Anna must keep up her social calendar even over break) while the rest of us had a great hike at Hemlock Bluffs. 



We went to a fun New Year's Eve party at neighbor Karen's house. 



And, just like that, December is over!  Whew!  We were thankful to remain healthy all month and had the best time celebrating all of the birthdays and holidays with family and friends.