At 4 months old, Carson met Santa Claus! Our neighborhood puts together many special events--and on Saturday morning Santa came to visit at the elementary school. We brought toys and canned goods to donate to a good cause, and the kids could see Santa while adults ate a continental breakfast. It was really cute--there was even a coloring area where kids could make pictures of the season! Carson studied Mr. Claus closely, and then was more interested in the lights in the cafeteria. However, we (mommy and daddy) were thrilled to see our son sitting on Santa's lap! :)
Hey Carson--try to look a little more excited...
On Friday, it began to snow which of course is always a good thing around Christmas. The weatherpeople underestimated this storm, though, and we woke up on Saturday to a frozen wonderland with 3 inches and it was still snowing! They are forcasting more snow tomorrow, so it looks like we will enjoy a white pre-Christmas at any rate.On Friday night, Mike and I got a rare date night. We took Carson over to Grandma and Grandpa's house (Bill and Sue), and then we got some quality time--just the two of us! When we got to their house, they showed us the newest ornament that they have added to their Christmas tree this year, which is really a neat tradition that the Lowes do for everyone in the family. Each family member has a plain red ornament with their name on it. I actually remember the year that I looked on the tree and saw the "Lisa" ornament. I was so excited! I got kind of choked up to see Carson's ornament. We are just so lucky to have him here and to be a part of such great families.
When Mike and I left for our precious date time, it was snowing and cold so we decided that now would be a good time to deliver the jackets, gloves, and hats that we purchased this year for the homeless in Denver. We drove downtown to the Denver Rescue Mission to figure out where to give out the warm coats. When we got closer to the mission, there were easily 50-60 people standing outside the building trying to keep warm. There are only 190 beds available each night in the mission, and these people weren't lucky enough to get one in the first come-first serve system. It was snowing and so COLD! I couldn't believe how many people didn't have a place to stay. It was really sad, and all of a sudden our 6 coats didn't seem like nearly enough. We certainly didn't want to just throw them out the window for people to fight over, so we rang the doorbell of the mission and gave them to one of the volunteers. It is so sad that some people don't have the means to even have a roof over their heads. Mike and I decided that we will collect jackets all year long, so that we have more to deliver next year.
There are 100 actual beds in the mission, and 90 cots that are brought in to deal with the overflow. Denver is not a nice place to be homeless during the winter months.
After delivering coats in Denver, Mike and I enjoyed a great meal at Cinzettis Italian restaurant.
When Mike and I left for our precious date time, it was snowing and cold so we decided that now would be a good time to deliver the jackets, gloves, and hats that we purchased this year for the homeless in Denver. We drove downtown to the Denver Rescue Mission to figure out where to give out the warm coats. When we got closer to the mission, there were easily 50-60 people standing outside the building trying to keep warm. There are only 190 beds available each night in the mission, and these people weren't lucky enough to get one in the first come-first serve system. It was snowing and so COLD! I couldn't believe how many people didn't have a place to stay. It was really sad, and all of a sudden our 6 coats didn't seem like nearly enough. We certainly didn't want to just throw them out the window for people to fight over, so we rang the doorbell of the mission and gave them to one of the volunteers. It is so sad that some people don't have the means to even have a roof over their heads. Mike and I decided that we will collect jackets all year long, so that we have more to deliver next year.
There are 100 actual beds in the mission, and 90 cots that are brought in to deal with the overflow. Denver is not a nice place to be homeless during the winter months.
After delivering coats in Denver, Mike and I enjoyed a great meal at Cinzettis Italian restaurant. On Sunday, I introduced Carson to my friends in the "sisterhood"--a group of us that meet (or try to) once a month to hang out. We had a brunch at Kathy's house and did our annual gift exchange. It was tons of fun as usual! Next month we are going Bowling, so I am really excited for that!
On Sunday evening, Mike and I hosted our annual Culd-de-sac Christmas party with all of our great neighbors. We had a ham dinner and some holiday cheer. This will be the last Christmas party where all of us who have been here since the beginning will be there--Dawn and Jere are moving to Cleveland, and Jane and Ernie are moving to a bigger back yard about 20 minutes away. It was bittersweet to think that things will be changing in the Culd-de-sac soon, but still a great chance to hang out with our friends.
Today I am off to bake cookies with Mom at her house. I can't wait to eat some of Jackie's infamous Christmas cookies!! Oh, and help make them of course. :)
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