T-I-R-E-D

T is for....Traditions

Every year the Duke Chapel hosts hundreds of people for their annual live nativity.  It sort of unites all Christian religions in the community with this simple ceremony. If you are one of the early birds, your children will be picked to be in the nativity.  If you're not, all children get to be an angel and walk around the audience of adoring parents ringing their bells. The atmosphere of the stained glass windows and ancient looking stone makes it solemn and majestic.

I is for.... Importance

We got to share a traditional Bethelehem dinner with some friends.  The food served was only from the time Jesus lived; pitas, hummus, lentils, rice, raw vegetables, juice, etc.  We sat on the floor by candle light and did our own rugged version of the nativity.

Well, some laid on the floor instead of sat

Mary (Gretchen), Joseph (Becket), Donkey (Spencer)

R is for..... Rising

Waking up to Christmas morning is the best when you've got young children to share it with.

Conked out after our Christmas Eve Parties

Christmas Day Destruction

E is for....Eliminate

We gathered up some friends to play some dodgeball in the backyard. We soon found that the adults had a greater time playing this competive sport than the children did.  Pancakes and breakfast goods were supplied to support our outgoing energy.

Making Ben Stiller Proud!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa!

D is for.....Different Destination

We headed to Myrtle beach for a family get-a-way.  It's mentally refreshing to be somewhere different for a change, especially when it involves 70 degree weather, sand, the ocean, and waterslides.

Becket's largest drawing pad ever!

Beach Babes

Jumping contest

Pure joy for someone who was terrified of the ocean 1 year ago

What does that spell....TIRED! 

Goodnight.

Christmas morning in 54 seconds

I heart

I heart
1. kids checking themselves out in sink faucets (Mat).
2. veggies at this point in the Christmas season
3. soy chocolate milk
4. Micah trying to pray and read
5. restaurant.com --password GIVE to get 80% off

The Carolina Inn

The Carolina Inn was built in 1924 and sits just off the campus at UNC. It's historic and elegant. We love going to it in the summertime when they invite the local bands to play on the front porch. We usually meet Mat after work, spread out our picnic and watch the kids dance. Very southern. So southern you want your sweet ice tea and cigar.
We also like to go through The Carolina Inn at Christmastime so we can see the gingerbread houses and decorations. Here are a few pictures in case you decide to visit (me):

Beginning, Middle, End

Beginning



Middle



End



OH WELL!

Holiday Tips

Holiday tip #1066
Go caroling at Hillcrest Retirement Home in Durham, NC because you get treats after your hard work and efforts. After all, there is nothing better than receiving.



Holiday tip #1145
Don't go to room 104 when caroling at Hillcrest Retirement Home because the old lady does not like small children and she will swear at you if needed.



Holiday #1672
Don't leave your frosting bag in the hands of small children or husband when decorating your gingerbread house.



Holiday #2136
Avoid loud shoppers talking to their kids. They give you tedious details about how and what they are shopping for when you're not on a need to know basis. It x's your Christmas spirit and puts you in a Grinchy mood.

Holiday tip # 2870
Call ahead of time before going to the mall to take pictures with Santa so that you don't have to wait an hour with anxious kids.



Holiday tip #3002
Kids can be entertained for hours just running around a cement fountain waiting for Santa.





Holiday tip #3265
Harris children always feel nervous around Santa and it gives me extreme pleasure to see the pictures.



Holiday tip #3721
Children's toes make great tape holders when wrapping presents.



Holiday tip #4312
Children say they're helping when making cookies, but they really are not.



Holiday tip #4577
Christmas plays can be a lot of fun when all you do is pretend to sleep.



Holiday tip #4775
Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

I Heart

I Heart
1. Catching up with Stephan Colbert
2. That my office light now works
3. Good food to eat and I don't have to go hungry
4. That once was thought stolen (Mat's wallet) is now found
5. That I get to live in the book "Where the Wild Things Are" everyday

I Heart

I Heart-
1. Counting 12 stuffed animals and 5 blankets for Gretchen to go to sleep with last night.
2. Getting Christmas cards in the mail.
3. Bumbi's eating habits
4. Turning off the lights leaving only the Christmas tree and candles to light up the house.
5. Becket telling the bishop what he should know during tithing settlement.