Dreams can come true...

Since I just downloaded photos from the last 3 days & have literally hundreds to sort through, I'm going to break from my norm & my next few blog posts will be out of order chronologically...we had a wonderful Christmas & I can't wait to share it with you all, but first, here's the SNOW!

While not nearly as amazing as the true Christmas story of the birth of our Savior, a white Christmas in North Carolina is like a tiny, little Christmas miracle...a happy little gift from God reminding us that He is still in control & He still brings peace on earth & goodwill to men!

And although our snowfall didn't start until well after the sun had gone down on Christmas Day, we did manage to have a White Christmas...the first snow on Christmas Day in these parts in over 50 years! I have to say that I was honestly surprised to see the sleet turn into snow...and to see the ground start to turn white as we were going to bed...and to wake up to a dazzling winter wonderland with snow still gently swirling down! We had accumulation of at least four or five inches!

Since it was Sunday, we were unsure if church would be canceled or not...I know that sounds crazy to all of our Northern friends, but around here the roads are not cleared very quickly & can be very icy & dangerous with even a couple of inches of snow. Many churches did cancel services, but ours decided to remain open (as the Pastor said...the malls were open for business!) After the kids woke us excited about the snow, we actually drifted back off to sleep & didn't wake again until 9am...it was too late to get everyone ready for church, so Jeff went solo & I stayed home with the kids.

We enjoyed a quiet morning of exploring new Christmas toys & trying (rather unsuccessfully) to restore a bit of order to the house. When Jeff got home, we ate a quick lunch & all geared up with hats, gloves, scarves, boots, coats & many layers of clothing for some snowy FUN!

 First task, building a nice fire to warm-up by after snowy fun!

The kids playing a new game by the warmth of the fire. 

 Drew says that proper hydration is very important before playing in the snow!

 Can't wait to get out there!

 Our barn in the snow.

 The trees were gorgeous!

 Bear with me, we took lots of pictures of the trees!

 Yes, more tree pictures...

 ...but, really, this isn't a sight we often get to see!

 Ah, look at this cute snow bunny! All bundled up & ready for fun!

 Jack got to work right away rolling the snow to make a snowman! 

 Our other adorable snow bunny! 

 Drew, our little snow baby, loved the snow!

 Drew helping Jack roll the snowman

 Attempting to get a good shot of all 4 kids...

 Drew did have gloves,but he kept taking them off!

 Jeff making a shot with a snowball

 Drew making his own snowball...

 ...he would throw them & yell, "Touchdown!"

 Ah, right at home with a shovel & excavator!

 Sophie also was hard at work rolling a ball for a snowman all up & down the front & back yard!

 She worked diligently...

 ...and kept rolling that snowball!

 Jack sitting on his snowball for a little break...

...and then back to work rolling...

 ...and rolling...

 ...and ooops, I guess he got a little carried away!

 This is Darcy just after I asked her to stand by Sophie for a picture...she is walking completely away from me.

 Pretty bush in the front yard covered with snow & icicles 

 At our old house, we would use up nearly all of the snow in the yard to make a snowman...we don't have that problem any more!

 Sophie pausing to adjust her gloves, but still hard at work on that snowman!

 Zoe has always loved the snow!

 Have shovel, will travel...

 Our first "big" snow in our new house! 

 Daddy shaking the tree...

 ...to make a blizzard!

 Hey, that's fun!

 Jeff shaking another tree...

 ...and getting a cold shower down his back inside his coat!

 Our house again

Uh-oh, Drew fell down in the snow!

 All that hard work paid off...

 Sophie & her adorable snowman!

Jack's super-sized snowman with a huge base!

Jack & his snowman, with arms raised saying "Touchdown!"

And our snow-day was a big score, too! 

Great fun for everyone! And now most of the snow has melted & is merely a Carolina dream until the next "big" snow!