Fantasy in Lights

 We really had to bundle up - it was SOOO cold. 

Annagrace used my Mom's hat for her steering wheel. She held it up the ENTIRE time to "drive" the trolley.  Emmalee fell asleep 5 minutes into the ride. (Annagrace did the same thing when she was a baby.)

#5 Write a letter to Santa

We are dropping off the letter in the "Believe" box at Macy's tomorrow. They say Santa responds to all of the letters from that mailbox!

Seriously???

 This is Annagrace in 2007:

This is Emmalee:

Did I have twins 3 years apart?

Christmas Crafts

I've been in a crafting mood lately and what better time than Christmas??

1. Photo Ornaments - unfortunately I didn't take a picture of them before I wrapped them up. But, I plan on making two more for myself and my mom. I got the idea from a catalog, but at $78 a piece . . . I don't think so! I printed out this cute photo of the girls on regular paper and then decoupaged it to a cream color porcelain ornaments that I found at Michael's. I then outlined the photos with a gold paint pen. 

2. Advent calendar - I have grand plans to make this elf one! My sewing skills are lacking and time was running out so I looked around at some different blogs, combined a few different ideas and a free template and came up with this:

A square for each day and on the back is an activity to do for the day. The activities include playing with red and green play dough, color a Christmas picture, watch a Christmas movie, make a Christmas treat, do something kind for someone, etc. Just simple fun things. I didn't include "read a Christmas book" to the cards because we plan on reading one everyday anyway.

3. For our Relief Society Christmas meeting we doing a progressive dinner and giving each sister a gift. The gift this year is a tile. Amy and Jessica (RS councilors) did the vinyl words on a Cricut and transfered to the tiles. Then they dropped them off at my house so I could add the ribbon hangers to the back. I'm going to display them in a basket (still trying to decide which one) so the sisters can pick them up on their way out from the progressive dinner.

Rock Band

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Holiday weekend

We started out the day by going to see Tangled. It was really cute and funny! Then, we went to Grandmother's and Granddaddy's to decorate for Christmas. It's my second house to decorate so far this year. Luckily they had already pulled everything down from the attic before we got there. Well, everything except the 10' tree - that's Tyler's job!

 Mine and Santa's little helper. She helps to make sure everyone is smiling.

 My big helper

 Hard at work

All finished!

I know Emmalee is all blurry but I love the way the tree looks in the picture.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

This year we did Thanksgiving at my Mom and Dad's house. Just us, my parents, and my niece Rebecca. It was so nice and quiet and relaxed. Mom did the main dishes - turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, and coconut cake. And I did the sides - mashed potatoes, vegetable mix, mac n' cheese, corn casserole,  and pumpkin gooey cake. We had tons of left overs, which were yummy for the next two days!!!

Emmalee got a Thanksgiving roll. But, not for too long. She was getting big pieces in her mouth and I didn't want her to choke.
After lunch we went outside to take a couple of photos.

Emmalee got to try out the rocking chair for the first time. My Mom has had it for over 40 years.
Then we made a gingerhouse village.

At 10:00 that night, we loaded up and headed to Walmart to start our Black Friday shopping. Granddaddy kept the girls while Tyler, me, my Mom, and Becca braved the crowds to complete our shopping lists.

We didn't get home until 7 AM. It was so much FUN!!! I plan for weeks in advance what stores, what toys, what gifts, so by the end of the weekend my entire Christmas list was complete! No more shopping for me. (Well for Christmas anyway!)

Stone Mountain Christmas

We had so much fun at Stone Mountain. They have already started their Christmas celebration. EVERYTHING is covered in lights, the 4D movie is now Polar Express, the train ride includes a light show, and there is a parade every night.

 The Snow Princess

 cookie decorating

 We should be at the North Pole.

 After not wanting to smile in our family shot, she then decided to model and pose and actually smile!

 This is seriously my most favorite picture I have EVER taken.

 waiting for the parade

 perfect seat

She was very detailed and told him she wanted princesses, a house for the princesses, and a house for the little people. A few days later she told me, "Mom I forgot to tell him that I want a Buzz!!"

Two Girls in a Tub

Emmalee is big enough for the bath seat now! Annagrace loves playing with her in the tub and making her laugh. Emmalee loves laughing at her and grabbing anything floating by and shoving it into her mouth!

Cracker Time

She loved the crackers. I didn't love trying to keep her from choking to death.

Steeplechase

 

I have lived in Columbus, GA my entire life (well, pretty much) but have NEVER, EVER been to the Steeplechase before. Well, this year my friend was the Race Director so she asked for me to do a "Kids Hat Decorating" table.  I was made committee member and given 4 Infield passes for my volunteers. I took the best volunteers I know - Tyler, Mom, and Rebecca. My two girls came along as well to party in the Kids Corral.

 Annagrace modeling her decorated hat.

 She loved the terrier races

 Emmalee taking after her Mama - sipping on her first Diet Coke. (not really - she just chewed on the lid)

 Our set up.

 Cow modeling a hat that I made.

 Annagrace participated in the stick pony races. She got a huge button and candy - her "prize" she thought she won! Actually, she came in dead last b/c she galloped and pretended to really be riding a horse instead of running full speed to the finish line. But, she was happy with her loot.

 Just chillin'

 Folks in the infield.

It was fun! I look forward to doing it again next year!