Christmas 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas, spending time with Charles' sisters a few days before Christmas with at trip to St. Augustine, and then Christmas day with my parents and sister Heather & her family. (We were only missing my sister Becky & her husband Ryan who couldn't make the trip from Iowa.) Also, a few days before Christmas I hosted a "Happy Birthday Jesus" party for my friends and their children complete with snow to play with, pizza & of course birthday cake. The kids had a lot of fun.

*Sorry the photos are out of order*

Opening presents with Cam, Olivia and my nephews at my parents house Christmas morning

Cameron with his new tool set from my parents

Thanking Popeye for his present

The kids enjoying the "snow" at the birthday party

Singing happy birthday to Jesus

Christmas morning at our house....new trains from Santa

Santa's cookie plate- I asked Cameron what he wanted to say to Santa & he said "thank you for God." So sweet! (& Santa wrote a little note back :)

Santa set up train tracks for their new trains

Cameron and Olivia's big present from Charles & I, a bounce house! It was a big hit!

Opening more presents

American Girl baby doll

Garbage truck books & puzzle

Stockings

Enjoying the lollipops Santa left in their stockings

My parents tree & all the presents

Waiting for their turn to open presents at my parents house

Cutie pie Reid

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the Simpsons!

Snow and Santa Train

In the middle of December we took at trip to our cabin with our good friends Bob and Debbie Ayton and their three boys, Tanner, Tucker and Timmy. The boys had a great time playing outside and by the firepit. We spent one day traveling to find snow (for the Aytons) which we found at the Cataloochee Ski Area and then traveled to Bryson City to ride on the Polar Express.  Once we got on the train we were served hot cocoa and cookies (by two great waiters who actually looked a lot like the animated characters in the movie, lol!) The waiters lead everyone in songs until we reached the "North Pole" which was a little town with lots of Christmas lights and of course Santa's sleigh. (You never got off the train, just saw everything from your window.) Then Santa got on the train and spoke to the children as we traveled back. The Polar Express was a lot of fun and we hope to make it a tradition every Christmas. And even with two very rainy days (one being the day we saw snow & rode the train) on a four day trip we still enjoyed ourselves.

Olivia looking cute in her new snowsuit

Snow ball fights (the rain didn't slow them down, lol!)

Watching people come down the slopes

Cute Cam :)

Singing Christmas carols

That's the face of someone enjoying their hot cocoa!

Family photo before getting on the Polar Express

Olivia loved to look out the window

Yeah for cookies!!

Tickets, tickets please!

Santa :)

Olivia enjoying her bell from Santa

The Ayton Family, such sweet friends of ours

Thanksgiving Feast and Sing

Every year Cameron's preschool has their annual Thanksgiving Feast and Sing where the children sing songs and everyone enjoys a big picnic lunch. All the children were dressed in costumes they made in their class, so cute! Cameron did a pretty good job, didn't sing much but at least he did the hand movements, lol! My Mimi was able to attend and even Charles was able to sneak away from the office.

Walking out to their spots

 I think I see a smile (he's in the 2nd row)

 Olivia & Charles (next year she will be out there :)

 Mimi and our little Indian

Olivia's Minnie Mouse Party

We had a Minnie Mouse themed party for Olivia's 2nd birthday which we celebrated with about 40 of our friends and family. I rented a bounce house, which was a huge hit and I just got lucky to find one that had Minnie on it. My sister Becky flew in from out of town to help with the party (always my party decorator :) and to help celebrate. My sister Heather & her family also came to town....its always so nice to have us all together. Olivia wore the Minnie dress she wore for Halloween & looked so adorable jumping in the bounce house with her little skirt. I think she had a great time & the party was a hit!

Bounce house, perfect for our theme

Oh, what fun!

Who's having more fun???

Lauren, Evan & Adrienne enjoying some food

Reid & Olivia in the sand box

The Im family

Wearing the Minnie/Mickey ears my sister made as party favors

The cake

Happy Birthday Olivia!!

Enjoying some of her presents