Polar Express- The Ride

Oh the magic of Christmas in a child's eyes is so precious. I know the season is not about the gifts,  the lights,  the festivities or the decorations.  I know is about Jesus Christ.  However,  I'm so thankful that He allows us to enjoy life,  the holidays and His birthday. Sometimes,  as adults we get so busy we simply lose the joy and the simplicity of the season.
But children have a way of bringing back the joy and the magic.
When we took Arlee on the Polar Express and watched his excitement and the sheer amazement it was utterly magical. I was the happiest mommy in the world. These pictures and memories will truly be one of my most precious treasures in life.

The moment Arlee heard that choo-choo he was beside himself.  He was excited and shy all at the same time.

                       The Batesville Polar Express

          "All Aboard"....Arlee was helped on board.
                We were soon helped to our seats

        Arlee has his ticket ready for the conductor!

The conductor came by calling for tickets. Arlee reluctantly handed him his golden ticket.  The conductor punched the letter A in it!

 He loved his cookies and hot chocolate. He got tickled when the waiters sang and danced

 He saw the North Pole with Santa and elves.....

Then we were all surprised when Santa came on board and gave each child a bell!

He would not stop jingling that little bell...lol

I would say he was the happiest little boy in all the world!!

Although the ride was amazing, unfortunately with it being their first year (and ours) There were a few kinks that needed to be worked out.  We learned that just because you buy tickets and request to be together and ride at a specific time there are just no guarantees. Dexter and Sarah's  time was changed and we did not get to go together.  There were some families that were separated into different seats,  and that did not sit well with them! 

Luckily,  we did not have to share seats with anyone and there would have been plenty of room for Dexter and Sarah after all.

Once the ride was over we meet back up and took some fun pics.  

We waited for them to load up before we headed home.  About an hour later we learned that their ride never happened.  The train broke down and everything was called off. Oh the broken hearts!

Church parties and the Play

I thought it might be a blessing for our KJ kids to sing Christmas carols at the Nursing home this year.  So,  we loaded up all those hyper, excited, noisy little kiddos and headed out. I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids, the residents the parents or me!
It was great and I pray we were a blessing.

The ladies had their annual  Ornament Swap. But this year we added the Ugly Sweater contest to the mix. Knowing I didn't want to pay much for a sweater I wouldn't need I made a run to Goodwill but could not find one,  so I decided to put my creative thinking cap on and look around the store for items to make one.  I left happy happy happy.The end result was goudy, over-the-top and got me first place. .Whoop Whoop!

 There were so many other ladies dressed for success however, they were just not brave enough for a group picture. ..lol

 Jessie,  my Pastor's wife was a worthy competetor but. I took her down!!!!!!

                          My prize for 1st place!

                             A fun, kid free night

And midst all the hustle and bustle we have been preparing for the children's Christmas play.  I was asked to be one of the main character. I didn't mind.  I love that kind of stuff but boy,  where has my memory gone! WHEW...memorizing those lines was a pure challenge! But we all made it through with lots of adlib and lots of laughs and it went off great.

Cotton plant, Ornaments, baking and The Polar Express - part 1

My little family had another amazing busy weekend. On Friday evening Sarah, Dexter the twins, came up for the weekend. So  their sweet family, Jessica  Tanner and us 3 all loaded up and headed to Cotton Plant. But not before we grabbed dinner at Craving Catfish. They have a yummy salad buffet and the best sweet potato casserole  ever. Don't ask me about the catfish,  never tried it. Not really sure why. .lol!
I can tell you all about the strawberry cobbler. I'm not a huge cobbler fan, but this is just simply heaven in your mouth.
After dinner we ventured on to our destination....                                    

Boy was it crowded. A Friday night may not have been the best night to go. But it  was beautiful , festive and filled with holiday spirit. The weather was perfect too.

The next morning I did a quick photo shoot of Jessica and Tanner.  Their pictures turned out fabulous.
 Then it was on to making Christmas ornaments and the Christmas baking.  And of course we had to do it in style.  We have matching Christmas aprons. ..too cute!

 Then we wrapped it up and packed it up and headed off to lunch. We ate at one of our favorites. ...Obys.

After lunch it was time to head to the polar express. But that is another story for another day!

Christmas Family pictures

Throughout the years I have made it a habit to do family pictures for Christmas.  Makes great Christmas cards.  This time of the year is so festive and magical,  that it makes for fun props and shoots. It is always my favorite part of the holiday. However,  it is my hubby's least favorite. But he
is a good sport.
This year my theme was plaid and rustic. I found my inspiration in this picture.

I seriously melt when I see this picture!

Here are some from the shoot. I can tell you there were more deleted than edited. Hard work with a little munchkin! 

 My oh my, how my little buddy has grown from last year at 18 months to his first Christmas at 3 months old!

            Our first family  of 3 Christmas picture!

A Weekend of Joyful Festivities

My annual Piano Christmas Recital was Saturday.  The students meet up at the Nursing home and play some Christmas Carols. It went  very  well.  I had a few students who were not able to make it.  But as always, it  was great.

 After the recital we went  to Holli Sweet Tooth.  We started this last year.  It's fun to watch Arlee in there.  Talk about a kid in a candy store....wow!! He was like a mad man in there!  His eyes and brain were on "Can-e" overload.

His favorite item. ..a dum-dum!!..lol

 After that We went to lunch on the Square, then headed to the Ford Center.  They were hosting a ginger bread house exhibit. It was amazing, however maybe not the best idea with a 2 year old who had Can-e on the brain.  Still it was really neat! But we did not dare put him down!

                                

 Daddy and Arlee found some planes to watch.

 Arlee is no doubt a momma's boy,  but he sure loves and adores his daddy!

Another  weekend gone and another day closer to Christmas! 

Now time to get our Christmas pictures done! 

It's Santa!

While we were visiting my in-laws for Thanksgiving,  we decided to take all the kids to see Santa.  Cedar Hills Farms had brunch, cookie and milk or dinner with Santa. The guys wanted to hunt and we wanted a lazy morning with the babies!
 With our schedule we decided to do milk and cookies.

It was the perfect choice! We were the only ones there. We walked into a beautiful rustic barn with the most beautiful Santa sitting there.  He looked just like a Norman Rockwell painting.  He was the kindest gentleman! If there was a real one,  it was him.  He was so patient with the nervous and  septic 2 year old.  He let Arlee play with his toy plane and his  jingle bells.  He offered him a candy cane,  and before we knew it,  Arlee was up in his lap!  Unbelievable! !

The twins were  so cute and sweet,  but Jackson completely stole  the show work his bright eyes and giggles!

Arlee loved his chocolate milk...he never came up for air.

It was a very sweet day!  And this momma had some lovely pictures. I plan to make him our traditional Santa! 

Arlee had a great weekend. By the time we got home he was puckered out. He conned right out on the couch. ..he has never done this.  He  was out by 7!!!

Sweet dreams my sweet little angel. Momma loves you!