Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve arrived and we were ready to go to Lisa & Joe's for Christmas Eve.  

 We always stop and get our doughnuts.  

 Zona even came for the ride.  He hates to be by himself.  

 Cousins!

 Granddaddy & Grandkids

 They loved all their presents and had a fun time with their cousins.  

 We got home in time to write our letters to Santa.  

 We made our annual pizzas.  

We dressed in our Christmas pajamas.  

 I wore my Buddy the Elf pjs that Lisa got me.  

 We had 2 visitors on Christmas Eve.  Ellie pulled her tooth out on the way home.  I think the Tooth Fairy hitched a ride with Santa.  

 We made cookies and put them by the fireplace.  

 Threw our carrots outside for the reindeer

 Then read the Bible Christmas story and the Twas the Night before Christmas before bed.  

All dressed up for Christmas

I just love Christmas outfits and the kids look so cute in them.  

 Even Matthew and I got in on the action.  Thanks Zona for the photo bomb!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

For the field trip this year they went to see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.  I took the kids to see this 2 years ago, so Matthew met them to see the show.  

 Mrs. Lomax and Mrs. Franklin's 1st grade classes

The Polar Express

On the way home from our annual Smith trip to Maggie Valley, we planned a train ride to the North Pole.  We arrived in Bryson City and had some time to spare.  

The kids changed in their pajamas for the ride.  

 Ready to board with their golden ticket.

  Singing and roasting marshmallows with the hobos

We talked with Santa.  

 All Aboard!

 We got some yummy hot chocolate and cookies.  

 We saw the North Pole and Santa got on the train.  Everyone got a bell and Ellie even lost hers on the train.

It was a fun ride!

One year anniversary

On Dec. 3rd was the one year anniversary of mom's death.  I wanted to make it a day that the kids would celebrate her going to heaven.  We got her pink heart balloons and a red heart from dad.  We sent them to her in heaven.  

The kids loved it and you can hear Ellie say "Are they going to Heaven?"