Last Sunday evening was the Christmas program at our church, and June and Mason participated.  It was “The Littlest Christmas Tree,” and the kids did such a good job.  I wish my pictures had turned out better!  Here is the Choir of Angels – Mason in the front, and June the tallest one behind him.

And the entire cast on stage at the end.  Sweet, sweet…

What a special day this past Saturday was.  Friday Lindee, my friend Charlotte, & I traveled to Greenville for our annual trek to the Christmas Craft show.  We haven’t all been there every year, but I don’t think I’ve missed a year going since we moved to the Carolinas in 1982.  That evening Jackson brought Mallory & Clara down to meet us, & brought Charlotte back to Clover with him, so she could be here for her kids’ visit the next day.  Sherri, Lindee, the girls & I spent the night in Greenville, & then early Saturday morning headed to our Smith Christmas #2 of the season, where we celebrate with all of Daddy’s extended family.  There was a great turnout this year, and as always, it was just so much fun visiting with everyone.  One really great thing Aunt Norma Jean set up this year was that a photographer came and took a group picture of everyone.  I can’t wait to see that!  I didn’t get many pictures of the celebration – too busy talking & visiting, of course – but did get this one of them trying to get everyone lined up for the photo shoot 🙂

Normally after the reunion we head to Helen to spend the night, but this year it was raining, so instead we went back to Greenville & took in the Roper Mountain Lights, and spent the night there.  We had not been to see them in years, and it was great.  They had a small area where you could walk around & get hot chocolate & marshmallows to roast on the fire, and then at the back of the amphitheater there was a display of Christmas “cards” – each the size of a piece of plywood – made by different schools in the area.  Many, and maybe all, of them used recycled materials.  This was one of our favorites – the “Monarch” Express, from Monarch Elementary School.  The sky, tunnel, and snow are made out of different colors of plastic grocery bags; the smoke is can lids.  Very cool.  It was just such a good, good day.

Thursday evening was Mal’s chorus program at their school.  The second grade put on a play first, and then the 3rd, 4th & 5th grade choruses all sang together afterwards.  They did such a good job.  It was funny.  Mallory had practiced the songs so often at home that Clara knew every word of every song, & sang right along with them from our seats in the audience.  Here are those two loving sisters after the program – before Mal & her dad had to make a mad dash to Rock Hill to get her to Nutcracker rehearsal!

Yesterday we made our first Christmas craft of the season – snowman ornaments.  My cousin Teresa sent me the idea on facebook, and sure enough, it was as big a hit as I figured it would be.  Here is Mallory making her handprint on her ornament, while Clara is waiting – maybe not that patiently 🙂 – for her turn.

Everyone adding the snowman details to their handprints.  So cute, and such fun!

What a great, great day we had Saturday at our annual Smith family Christmas gathering.  Sherri and Gary hosted this year, held at Woodland UMC – Boo & Andrew & their families church – in Rock Hill.  We gathered at 10 AM, & ate way, way too much of the abundance of yumminess everyone brings to share.  Next was picture time, with the usual gathering of various family groups, as well as various generations, with Gran.  Here is the Long family photo…

Lesley was leaving early, so she opened her present right after the photo session, so she could get on the road back to Clemson.  She got lots of help from younger cousins:  Adam, Mia, June, & Clara :-).  Lots of love and fun!