Monday, December 04, 2006



Weekend Photo Recap
( or "Where did the time go?")


This weekend involved a lot of different activities for our family, and some good old-fashioned Christmas fun that now definitely has got me "in the spirit." I took pics of a lot of it (of course, I did!!) and will offer you now my Photo Recap of the past weekend.

And for some reason (probably it's just because I'm getting old!!), this weekend I kept saying things to myself like, "Where did the time go? How could she already be this grown-up?" I know that my mother always told me that the years just go by quicker and quicker as you live longer and longer, and it's true! The years just seem to breeze by (and all of a sudden I have girls who are 14 and 10. Although, of course, I have a 2-year-old to keep it all interesting as well!)

Anyway, I digress . . .

On Friday night, McKenna went to her high school band banquet. No date . . . just hanging out with friends, and getting the chance to dress up. (Which--let's face it--is usually more fun than dealing with a date. Of course, I'm her Mother so that's my party line ALL the time!)

Here she is getting ready to go . . .



And then all dressed up . . .



The other big event of the weekend was the Children's Christmas Play at our church. I decided that Sydney needed a cute Christmas dress to wear to it and instead of going and buying a new one, I dug out one that McKenna had worn when she was the same age. Seeing them in the same dress really took me back to many years ago when my present-day-teenager was a toddler!

Here is McKenna (yes, that cutie from up above) in the dress when she was 2 1/2. (Ironically, this was taken at a Christmas play she was in back in 1994!) . . .



And then here's our little Scout wearing the same dress yesterday. (Their birthdays are just a day apart, so they are literally like almost the EXACT same age in these two pictures--just 12 years apart! LOL)



Now the star of the Christmas play was Delaney. She's the only one of my girls in it this year and this is her LAST year (next year she moves off into the youth department!), so it was a special time. Delaney LOVES these plays and looks forward to them every year. She is very dramatic so she loves having a speaking role and really gets into her part. Plus, she LOVES to sing and has a really great voice. So, she usually gets a solo as well.

Delaney has been in the plays since she was 3 and got her first solo when she was probably 6. I found this picture of her singing in the play back in 2004 (dressed as Mary) . . .



And then these are two pictures of her singing her solo this year. She had the most beautiful song called "Go Light Your Candle" and did just a fantastic job on it! I just can't believe how much my girl is growing up . . .





And some of her "acting." Oh yeah, she really gets into character (she had one older man in the church come up to her afterwards at the reception and ask her if she was ready for Broadway. She just nodded and smiled really big when he said that!) . . .





The play really got us into the Christmas spirit and then afterwards we came home and had our first night of Advent together as a family. This is a very special Christmas tradition that we started when Delaney was around 4 or 5 years old, so we've been doing it for at least six years now. We light a candle on each Sunday night of December, and then a fourth one on Christmas Eve; once it's lit, we read a Bible reading or other sort of Christmas reading, sing a Christmas song, and say a prayer. We also just do a lot of talking about why Christmas is important and how we're going to keep it "true" in our hearts this year. It was great to get that started tonight (although Scout enjoyed lighting and blowing out the candle more than anything!).

In other stuff from this past weekend . . .

*Dallas won AGAIN. I am SO beyond excited for my Boys this year. Dare I dream of a Super Bowl (or, heck, even a good playoff run!)?

* We watched West Virginia play on Saturday night, not so much because we were too terribly interested in the matchup with Rutgers, but because possibly Rich Rodriquez might be our next Bama coach. Who knows??

* Did some good Christmas shopping and got some gifts that I'm really excited about. I will be doing my shopping for Gary this week sometime. (Any suggestions on what I should get him? lol)

* I came up with a GREAT idea for our Christmas picture and I'm so excited about it!!! I can't wait to share the idea with yu--after I take the picture someday this week, hopefully!

I hope that all of you have a wonderful week! I was offline pretty much all weekend long, so I didn't get much of a chance to check out blogs or email. But back to it now... and I hope to connect with some of you again!

This week, let's all remember that--

Christmas is about hot chocolate,
and old songs and carols,
and decorated trees,
and cards from far-away friends,
and busy shopping malls,
and wrapped presents,
and gingerbread and snowmen,
and parties and parades,
and Santa Claus too.

But remember that it's really a lot more--
Christmas is about joy,
and hope,
and peace,
and friendship,
and smiles,
and love.
And Jesus.

27 comments:

Phats said...

What a great entry this was. Your kids are so cute, and that's awesome she is so involved in drama!!

I watched the Rutgers/WV game what a game that was WOW! I felt bad for Rutgers they go from a BCS bowl to the Texas Bowl. saw Bama got an invite woohoo! ROLL TIDE.

Your Advent tradition is really cool, and neat. I hope I got you my list in time hahaha. BTW I had a suggestion for Gary, but it's not blog appropriate hahaha JK! :)

Unknown said...

Awesome pics C!!
That is uncanny how alike your oldest and youngest were/are. At least Scout will know what she will look like in 12 years time :D

the not so "new" mom on the blog said...

I enjoyed your post tremendously, seems like the Wray's were busy busy busy!!! The pics of M are gorgeous and so are the ones of D in the play! and lets not forget S!!!!!!! Cute!!!!!!! Still have not got around to Christmas shopping yet though, will do it once i am on leave from the 15th. Take care!

aimee said...

Beautiful pictures and beautiful post. Thanks for reminding us what Christmas is really about.

BTW, I love your daughters' names! I was going to name my daughter Delaney, but alas, I have no daughter. Sigh. :)

Unknown said...

Great post C!! I see you are taking credit for my pics of the play last night.. And you took all the pictures and put on YOUR computer...

That's OK, cause I put them on my blog... stole them right off yours!!

Andy said...

looks like it was a great weekned. the pictures are great. i love what you wrote at the end of your post.

Lynilu said...

LOL! I was planning to kid you about having the same pics as Gary and demand that you 2 use different pics so we have more enjoyment, but Gary already took car of it, didn't he?

I like your list of what Christmas is all about. Stole that from my heart! Gee, girl, isn't anything on your blog original? giggle!

Have a wonderful week!

~Telah said...

Wow! What a great weekend to get you into the spirit of Christmas! Thanks for sharing it all.

Cinderella said...

I loveeeeeeeeeeee the pictures!!! You have a beautiful family!!

I love D's hair, it's so pretty. She reminds me of punky bruster...but much more beautiful.

Cheryl Wray said...

Phats--Yep, we're excited about a bowl. But Shreveport? ugh... not the hotbed of football excitement! I got your Wish List. We'll see what we can do! LOL
Gareth--Yep, they do look alike. But she also looks like Delaney some of the time. Weird!
New Mom--GREAT to see you!! I know you've been super busy!
Aimee--I pride myself on my girls' names. I love them all!! Delaney is an excellent name choice!!
G--What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine. Right?
Andy--Thanks!
Lynilu--I actually went back and addes a few "different" pictures. LOL That's what you get when Husband and wife both blog!
Telah--Thanks!
Cinder--Thanks! So funny about Punky B. She was a cutie, and you know D does kinda have her personality!!

Linda said...

Great pics, your girls are gorgeous. I loved your Christmas lists. It describes Christmas to a tee. :)

Greta Adams said...

your kiddos are gorgeous...i know what ya mean about where is the time going and where did it go....i can't believe Mason will be 5....ugggghhhhhh!!!!

blackcrag said...

OK, thanks, Cheryl. Now I'm missing my nieces even more than usual.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures, Cheryl! Makes me feel like I was there!

Anonymous said...

Awwww, she is REALLY growing up!!! glad you had a good weekend!

Cindy Lee said...

loved all the pictures - your daughters are just darling! GO DALLAS!!! Hubby was loving the game yesterday - we are huge Cowboy fans, too! hugs, Cindy Lee

Unknown said...

Your children are so beautiful. Loved what you shared. Dana

Anonymous said...

Thank you for visiting my blog! :o)
Your daughters are gorgeous! And I looove that song, Go Light Your Candle! Merry Christmas!!!

Anonymous said...

Love the idea of Advent. I'd love to do that in my home. Give us some pointers.
And can't wait to see your Christmas card idea. Its sure to be good!

Josie said...

what a great weekend. I love hearing about all your traditions! And sometimes a reminder of what Chrismtas is really about is needed! Thanks for a great post!

Nancy said...

What wonderful memories you made this weekend... and I love the pictures to help share it with us. I loved your advent idea... a great way to celebrate!

Crazy Working Mom said...

Great post and fabulous pics. : )
I love the one of the two daughters in the same cutie pie outfit. That is a cool idea!!

Danielle said...

Great blog entry!!!!!! Your kiddos are just ADORABLE :)

Jenn said...

Hey, Cheryl...I know what you mean about those kids growing up...it seems like YESTERDAY when my Hunter was born. Your girls are so beautiful...you mush have had them when you were 5..you look awesome!!

I love your traditions. We started reading on Christmas Eve Twas the Night before Christmas and then the real meaning of the holiday. It's nice but we need more as Hunter is getting older. I like your thoughts. They are so precious.

Anonymous said...

GREAT post! Loved the pic of Meg behind Delaney. Gosh they were so young! Where has the time gone?!? Thanks for using some of my pics from Sun. night on your blog. I am honored! Now off to answer the snow questions. BRRR!

Renee said...

Thanks for sharing all of the pictures. You must be so proud of all of your kids!

Brown English Muffin said...

I know this sounds weird but looking at those pictures actually makes me want to joing a church!!!