Celebrating the Season

Ahhhhhh, the most wonderful time of the year! This is the one month that we wait all year for.  It's the season of love, peace, joy, giving, family, and magic.  It really is the most special of all months.  

Our little elf friends returned a little early this year and brought along a new friend, the Saint Bernard that we named Rudy.  They also brought yummy snowball donuts.  On December 1st they brought the Advent calendars.  Then they joined us on our annual trip to NYC.  They put themselves in mason jars so that they could be safely carried on the airplane and to our hotel.

We arrived in NYC on Thursday, December 1st in the late morning so the kids and I spent most of the day playing in the park.  We went to the zoo, watched a 4D Rudolph movie, played in the Children's zoo, and climbed a lot of rocks.  Then we walked around midtown and took in all the seasonal sights.

plane ride to NYC

Our elves returned the next day ready to spend the day shopping in the city.  Savannah wanted to wake up early and try to get on the Today Show.  Unfortunately the crowd was way too big so we went for a run around Central Park instead.  Then we returned back to the hotel room to shower and get ready for our lunch at the American Girl Cafe.

This year we decided to visit Santa at Macys on Friday night instead of trying to beat the rush on a Saturday morning.  So after dinner at Del Frisco Grille we headed to 34th Street.  We didn't even need to use our Santa reservation because the regular line was so short.  Once we made it in to see the jolly man both kiddos took a seat on his lap and I didn't even have to get in the picture.

Saturday we were able to spend the day with Oscar playing in the city.  We took the kids ice skating in Bryant Park and then we took the subway downtown to see the 9/11 Memorial.  We also managed to fit in a Shake Shack lunch---my fav!  Dinner that night was also another fav---Balthazar.  

Santa in our hotel lobby

After returning home we had lots of holiday fun things to do to get in the Christmas spirit.  Our elves always surprised us with their silly shenanigans.

undies instead of stockings

a wrapped potty with green toilet water

Santa at the SECU gingerbread workshop

baking cookies

Santa at the Country Club

movie night

painting our annual Christmas pottery

hot chocolate bar

caroling to a recovering friend 

Elves brought tickets to see Disney on Ice

picking out a real tree to put on the porch

decorating the gingerbread house

and elves lunch

S's gymnastics performance

live show of Rudolph

Santa at Southpoint mall

time to get those final lists to Santa ready

delivering toys to the Ronald McDonald house

happy birthday mom

caroling in Southpoint Manor

All that's left now is to wait for the big day, although Christmas Eve is always my favorite day of the year.  The kiddos argue with me saying that no, it's Christmas Day.  I love all the traditions that we've created during this special time and I love watching the kids become more involved and excited about them.  Experiencing the magic through their eyes is really something special.  Oh how I wish they could stay this little forever.

Christmas Joy

Christmas has come and gone.  The decorations have all been taken down and now all that's left is the memories of the most joyful holiday.  And a few more toys laying around.  

It was another quiet Christmas around here with our family of four.  We attended the family Christmas Eve service at church then came home, had a quick dinner, watched some holiday shows, and got ready for Santa's arrival that night.  Savannah set out a hefty plate of treats and a glass of chocolate milk for the jolly guy.  Then they sprinkled reindeer food out on the lawn and got ready for bed.  

setting out Santa's cookies

making sure everything is ready for Santa

time for bed

Savannah was the first to wake up on Christmas morning and it took a lot of bargaining to keep her from running downstairs before Walker woke up.  Luckily he woke up within 15 minutes and then we all went down together and found surprises for everyone.  Savannah specifically asked for two things, roller skates and a telescope, and thanks to Santa and Uncle Harlan she got them both.  She also received quite a few Barbies and the Malibu house, arts and crafts, a razor scooter, clothes, new Uggs, and a few other odd and ends.  Walker received his own scooter, several new train cars, Thomas the train raincoat and boots, superhero sets, a couple smart wheels sets to add to his track, and a train carrying case.  They were both more than thrilled with all their surprises and seeing them so happy was the best gift yet.

heading downstairs to see the presents

"he ate the cookies!"

W is a little unsure about what's going on

Barbie Malibu house from Uncle Obie and fam

princess guitar from Uncle Michael

Thomas boots and superhero toys!

Thomas raincoat

a Thomas train!!!!

he could care less about the other unopened gifts

my loves!

both kiddos got new scooters

After all gifts had been opened and all the wrapping paper had been cleared away we all got dressed to have lunch at the Carolina Inn.  Unfortunately it wasn't the greatest meal but it gave us a chance to get dressed up and sit down without all the new toy distractions and enjoy lunch together in a nice, festive setting.  After lunch it was nap time for Walker while Savannah played with her new toys.  Later that afternoon we all went for a family run around the neighborhood to burn off some yummy Christmas treats.

all ready for lunch

Santa came back to make sure everyone was happy with their presents

and now she acts shy

if she only knew how much she takes after her dad......

so very thankful for these 3

afternoon family run

he loves the scooter

We all went to bed that night feeling so blessed and so very thankful.  It was such a magical time leading up to the big day and I always find myself a little sad on Christmas night after the climax has passed.  And so at times like that I try to remind myself of the real reason for the season and I try to make a point to keep the Christmas spirit alive throughout the rest of the year.  And if Savannah won't allow me to take her pink tree down, it will always feel like the Christmas season in her room :)