Thankful Advent

a prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,

 for the peace accorded to us this day,

for the hope with which we expect the morrow;
for the health, the work, the food 

and the bright skies
that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth.
Amen.

Chris turns 30!

What a big birthday! We went out to eat with friends, had a babysitter, and even crammed thirty candles onto one cupcake. Thanks to our friend Laura for these pictures from church!

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

We recently visited the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in the evening to see its Holiday Lights display.  One of Daisy's friends, Piper, came with her parents, too!

Warm, leafy, and Christmas-y

Daisy and Piper

These white lamps changed colors in rhythm to the
Christmas music pumped into the gardens

The greenhouses had poinsettias and fantastic
orchids with millions of green laser lights

After dinner, it was dark!

Miniature trains chugged around this little city

Fun to be here with a good friend!

Magical

The lights were really well done. I enjoyed sipping a hot drink with our friends and finding carolers in hidden corners. I love it when we can do something fun while also letting Daisy be an energetic three year old and run around. She was exhausted by the end of the night! This is going to be a long Christmas season...