My Boys, My Joys: A great weekend!

What a busy (but fun!) weekend we've had! It started off Friday night with the Christmas parade. KFC rode a float in the parade this year for the first time. It was really cold, but the kids had a blast waving and shouting "Merry Christmas!" to the crowds. Our float was #13 out of 90-something, so when our portion of the parade was over, Jonah and I got to meet up with Chad and Isaac to watch the rest of the parade. Jonah had a permanent smile plastered on his face the entire night and Isaac clapped for the big trucks.

Saturday morning we did some more decorating, then went downtown in the afternoon for our town's Christmas festival. They had all kinds of blow-up/bounce houses for the kids - well, Jonah - and all kinds of food vendors and live music performances. We were going to take a horse-drawn carriage ride, but Jonah wasn't "in the mood." We started to get lunch from one of the outdoor vendors when Chad noticed that one of the local (indoor with heat!) family restaurants (which isn't normally open on weekends) was open since the festival was going on. Chad and I had Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup - it was the best thing I think I've ever tasted. I'm pretty sure the cold weather combined with the fact I didn't eat much for breakfast that day helped to make it even better. The restaurant had a train track all the way around the ceiling so Jonah, and even Isaac, were mesmerized long enough for Chad and I to enjoy our soup in peace. We then headed back out into the cold for a while, saw the gingerbread house displays, and picked up some kettle corn and other goodies to bring home.

This morning our church had it's Christmas musical in which KFC performed with the adults. All the kids were dressed in their Christmas-best and it was a wonderful time of worship and music. This afternoon we FINALLY finished our Christmas decorating and this evening we headed out to look at Christmas lights with a special stop at Starbucks for a Peppermint Mocha Twist for me and Caramel Apple Spice for Chad and Jonah. Now the kids are both in bed - the house is quiet and hopefully we'll all get a good night's rest to prepare us for the upcoming week.

One thing I would ask that you pray for is that my kids get over this crazy respiratory junk that's been going on. They've both been coughing and sniffling and tonight Isaac started the nasty sneezes where you have to bring in HazMat for the clean up afterwards. Sorry - TMI!! They both have humidifiers running in their rooms and their feet and chests are slathered in Vick's. Yes, I said feet. In case you've never heard - I have to tell you about this, because it really works! When I first heard about it I figured it was just an old wives tale, but then I tried it and it really does work to stop nighttime coughing/congestion. You simply rub Vick's Vapor Rub onto the soles of your feet and then put socks on. I don't know how or why it works, but several people I know have tried this and they all claim it helps them sleep better. So, that's my tip for the night. :-)

Alrighty - quiet house - kids asleep - time for me to get off the computer!! Have a great week!

Jonah getting ready for the parade