A Christmas Story

One of the many Christmas stories the Gwynnes can share this year began with one of the first frosts of the winter. We were out scraping our car's windshield in the frigid morning, when I saw one of our neighbors take a spray bottle, spray his truck's windows, then get in and drive away. There was absolutely no scraping necessary for him that morning. My numbed fingers hurriedly typed a Google search for "de-icing spray" as soon as I got a chance, and that's when I found this product.

With requests for Christmas wish lists given a few weeks later, I added PPC Ice Chek to mine and figured I'd probably get a bottle of it to try out.

On Christmas morning, when my husband, parents, brother, and sister-in-law gathered in my parents' living room to open our stocking presents, I was the first to open a lovely bottle of de-icer. Next, Dave opened one of his largest stocking presents--a bottle of PPC Ice Chek. This was followed by the same present for my brother and sister-in-law. My mom had found a great deal and was looking out for her children when she decided to buy us all some de-icing spray. Dave and I were well stocked for the rest of this winter.

Well, last night, when Dave and I were finally able to open our presents for each other, he started laughing when I picked up one of my gifts. As I opened it, I realized what was so funny. The Gwynne household was now the proud owner of not one, not two, but three bottles of de-icing spray!

How We Spent Our Friday Evening

Friday afternoon, Dave got a call from one of our friends, asking if we were available to babysit her two young boys while she and her husband went shopping that night. Although Friday night was supposed to be our only evening at home for the week, Dave and I knew we couldn't pass up the chance to babysit these little guys. (Seriously, they're the cutest kids on the planet.)

We helped them finish eating their supper before settling down in the family room to watch The Polar Express. The picture above is how the boys were for most of the movie. Their attention was completely captured by the film. As soon as the movie was done, we got them ready for bed, tucked them in, read a story or two, then headed downstairs to watch an episode of Say Yes to the Dress (my choice). Our evening of childcare was a pleasant surprise in our busy week.

Sights of the Season

Over the first week of December, Dave and I worked on decorating our apartment for Christmas. Here are a few pictures of the final product:

I decorated our tree using the hodgepodge of lights, garland, and ornaments I had accumulated/been given over the years. We ended up with a very "American," tree--red garland with white and blue lights. I think it turned out well.

Our little Nativity scene. I love it, even though it isn't quite accurate.

Christmas candle warmer with a cranberry chutney-scented Yankee candle warming up inside.

One stocking for Dave, one for me, and another one for me because my stocking is so small.