Going to the Lights...Mission Inn of Riverside

The entry way...

Taryn: appreciating the violinist

There were giant nutcrackers at every entry.

These painted oranges were all over Riverside at one time for a special display. There were different artists that were asked to do each one. You can read more about it HERE. This is the Mission Inn orange.

This was in front of the giant tree in the Inn. Absolutely stunning - every year!

Taryn is enjoying the hot chocolate.

It's not CHRISTmas without the Crèche. I didn't even know what a creche was until I read The Christmas Cross by Max Lucado.

Lights were wrapped all the way around the Inn.

After dinner, we went to see The Lights at the Mission Inn. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful time looking at all the lights and the beauty of the Mission Inn. We were afraid it would rain, but other than a few drops here and there, it stayed dry. We had some mochas and the kids had some hot chocolate. We saw Santa for like a second and started to get in line for a picture, but he was finishing up with his last guest. BOO! Something about he had lots of work to do tonight and had to leave early. Oh, well. That's fine. Speaking of that - we still had lots to do at home too, so we did not stay very late either. What a lovely, memorable night!

Choosing Joy: Christmas Eve

So, how hard is it to choose JOY on Christmas Eve? I know for some, that it is very hard. I know that there are people all across America that are having a difficult time and this is hard for them. They are in my prayers. A friend that is in Africa, happy to serve - but missing her family, a friend that lost her little boy this year and won't be putting those extra things out for him, a friend that laid her mom AND dad to rest this year who will have to do without all the special things her sweet mother did for everyone during this time of year, an elderly man that lives across the street who is remembering the first Christmas without his beloved wife... I know that there are a lot of you out there - you are in my prayers.

I am thankful to not only have my Grandmother here with me, but to be able to watch her with my children. I remember Christmas' past that I spent with her when we lived near her or the Christmas when I lived WITH her. She is such an incredible woman. She's been through just about everything and still has a sweet, strong spirit!

We had a great Christmas Eve dinner (we are having a Christmas dinner at my MIL's) of turkey, ham, green bean casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, watergate salad, mashed potatoe stuffing and gravy. Afterward, we went to the historical Mission Inn in Riverside to see the Christmas Lights. I will post that separately. I have much to be thankful for - I will not forget it.