A North Carolina Christmas Part I

The Trasher family headed east for the Christmas holiday this year. Sarah P and Devin and Jonathan and Sara were so kind to host us for almost 3 weeks. We had a wonderful time and made so many great memories. Whitney and I flew into Raleigh on December 15. Sara and the kids picked us up at the airport, we grabbed a chicken sandwich at our favorite "Chick-Fil-A" (said in a chanting voice) and then drove up to Richmond where we got to spend a few days at Devin and Sarah's home. Richmond is known for its' great "Tacky Lights Tour", so we spent every evening on a tour of the houses.
We made special jingle bell necklaces to wear on our tour.


We watched Lucy and Zachy on Saturday and Sunday so Sara could drive up to Warrenton, Virginia to get certified to teach "Body Pump" (which she passed with flying colors). We all went to the mall on Saturday to talk to Santa Claus and get a picture taken. Here are the kids waiting in line to meet Santa. It was a cool display in a snoglobe, the only drawback was that the kids were covered in fake snow by the time they got to Santa and had their picture taken.
These two little cousins got along most of the time.
We went out "light looking" again on Saturday night and met the "Grinch".
This guy dresses up each night and loves people to come see him and his light display.
We decided that this would be the perfect job for our neighbor Jed Manwaring next year.
I think I have the cutest grandkids in the world! Sophie dressed up and ready for church.

Sara, Lucy, Zach and Whitney headed back to North Carolina on Monday after lunch at "Buzz and Ned's". Yum southern barbecue.
We did lots of Christmas shopping in Richmond and drove to Williamsburg to shop at the outlet mall. Here's more "light looking" pictures from Sunday and Monday night. We even met "Mr. Christmas". He has been featured on several national TV shows.


Sarah, Eva, Sophie and I left Richmond on Wednesday and drove to Sara and Jonathan's house in Pinehurst. Whitney had a delicious Russian dinner of "Shi" and "peroshkis" waiting for us.
The cousins were so happy to be together again.
We tried to keep the kids busy in the days leading up to Christmas. We played outside (Lucy drew this picture of Eva, isn't it awesome?)

We made gingerbread houses

and sugar cookies


and visted Pinehurst Village to look at the Christmas displays.

Isn't it amazing how little children are drawn to see and touch the baby Jesus?
On Christmas Eve the pile of presents under the Christmas tree kept growing. Sophie was so good to not tear into the packages.
Christmas Eve finally came and we had a "Holy Supper" (foods like grapes, flat bread, olives, cheese, fish, and grape leaves that Mary and Joseph might have eaten).

We reenacted the Christmas story with two actresses playing the part of Mary.
Jonathan read the scriptures from Luke and we watched part of "The Nativity" movie. We put out cookies for Santa, delivered our Secret Santa gifts, put the kids to bed and then Devin and I drove back to Raleigh to pick Grandpa Tom-Tom up at the airport.
Christmas morning was pretty exciting at the Cardon house. Here's the kids coming down the stairs, youngest to oldest. Not only did Santa bring toys, he also brought Grandpa Tom-Tom.
The kids played with their gifts from Santa and then it was time to get ready for church. New matching Christmas dresses
Isn't Zachy handsome?
After church we had our traditional Christmas breakfast of aebleskivers, sausage, scrambled eggs and hot chocolate. We spent most of the afternoon opening gifts
and then the highlight of Christmas was getting to talk to Elder Morris in the Dominican Republic. He is doing so well and sounded so happy. It was so fun for everyone to get to talk to him. That night after the kids were in bed, we enjoyed a dinner from Switzerland. We always choose a country for "Christmas around the world" Christmas dinner and this year we ate raclette, cheese fondue, and crem brulee. It was all delicious!
Stay tuned for Part II