Pre-Christmas Fun

Being our first Christmas actually together, I previously mentioned we did as many Christmasy things before Christmas as we could stomach. Here are a few special moments of that time:
-Live Nativity-

 I'd never been to nor heard of a live nativity before and I was very intrigued by the idea. I also couldn't pass up the fact it was SO close to home and FREE.

 Yes, please. And who doesn't love a hayride and singing Christmas songs?

 

Overall, it was fun, cozy, and a great representation of the Christmas story in a creative way.

-Candle-Lighting at Tryon Palace-

 Tryon Palace, the historical governor's mansion is a place most residents have been. Neither of us had ever been until we heard about the candle-lighting and we figured it would be gorgeous for Christmas time.

 Tara doing her thing with the fife and drum corps.

 The mansion.

 The fire/sword swallower pulling a nail he just hammered into his nose/head/brain.

My natural reaction to sword-swallowing.

Carnival performers.

 Beautiful fireworks on the water.

 

We weren't disappointed. From an evening spent almost ENTIRELY in candle-light, to watching a friend perform in their fife and drum corps, to enjoying a warm drink after a tour of the mansion and finishing the evening off right with the best fireworks show I've seen in Eastern North Carolina (beat out all the 4th of July fireworks I've been to see in town x10), it was a great night. And we ended it by discovering a new little wine bar!
We also went to our church's Christmas Cantata featuring David Phelps which was amazing but we didn't get any pictures.
And of course, cookies...

 Mixing, mixing!

Hi

We can't forget the baking days. I think we did 2 or 3 full days of baking in our pajamas which was awesome. And then we conveniently pawned most of it off on base for other people to eat. :)