St. Nicholas Day

The kids woke up at the crack of dawn, with a beautiful layer of new, white snow covering the ground.  We convinced them to stay in their beds until the coffee was ready, the tree lit, and Amy Grant's Tender Tennessee Christmas was playing in the background.

After the kids were settled with their egg nog, 

and the grown-ups with their coffee,

Big Daddy began the reading of the St. Nicholas story.

And then, the long awaited opening of the stockings!

After stockings and a special breakfast,

the kids skiddadled outside for hours of fun in the snow.

The rest of the day was full with Ken needing to put in a big day at the office,

the boys helping a seminary family load their UHaul for their move to Nashville,

and the girls alternately playing in the snow and playing with the new toys

they received in their stockings.

We also got to FaceTime my twin and her family, who also open 

stockings on St. Nicholas Day.

Tomorrow, the boys head out into the winter wonderland for a 

Boy Scout Survival Campout.

They are ready, with their wool socks, 

down sleeping bags, and tarps.

(Well, they think they are, anyway.)

They have to spend the night in their own shelter that they build themselves. 

 - In the snow. -

We'll let you know how it turns out.

As for me, I've been praying several times a day for 

no frostbite, and no hypothermia.

Not that I don't think that they're super manly, and 

have that "boy scout preparedness" working for them, 

but I'm just covering all the bases!