Christmas Eve at BB and PaPa’s house

After our Christmas Eve church service we always go to BB and PaPa’s house for lots of food, lots of presents, lots of family and our annual Christmas lights tour of Hartsville in the limo caroling to the Disney Family Christmas collection. (We sound like the Walton’s, don’t we?)

Unfortunately, I was unable to snap photos of the lights tour. (it is a bit difficult to juggle a diaper bag, baby, 4-year-old on Christmas eve all the while fitting the ENTIRE family in the limo.)

This year our tour was a bit disappointing…what few houses donning lights we saw were less than spectacular, and the third and final house we did come upon went completely black the minute we entered the driveway. I think they saw us coming. Did I mention we had to wait on Mel to return from work before heading on our tour? So we got a late start to say the least! Has anyone dealt with a 4-year-old on Christmas Eve at 11pm with NO nap while riding through town stuffed into a limo with your entire family singing Goofy’s 12 Days of Christmas? It really is fun, honestly! It wouldn’t be Christmas without it!

The night ended magically, however. When we were returning home and as Reese and Mary Clare slept peacefully and McCanless woke up from a short nap after the disappointing black out house, we slowed the limo, rolled down the windows and enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display we happened upon on the outskirts of town. We quieted the music and watched and listened to the beautiful sparks and pops of the fireworks. McCanless leaned against the window and said, “Gosh, I just love fireworks.”