'Tis the Season

To say that we are taking advantage of everything that the holidays have to offer is an understatement.  I am probably pushing my kids to see and do too much, but, hey, they will only be 2 once :-) After our excitement last week at Hollywild, Bonner's excitement continued with her "date with the Princesses".  As you can see, she dressed the part for her debut meeting with Snow White, Cinderella, and all the other Disney beauties!

Ian wasn't too sure about Bonner getting to go out without him ... and he insisted on having his picture taken, too!

As you can see, though, the show was magical.  Gigi said that Bonner took it all in from the moment they got there!  It was a special treat, that's for sure!  She's still talking about it!

 Princess Jasmine

 Snow White & Dopey

 Beauty (Belle) & the Beast

 Even Mickey & Minnie Mouse made an appearance!

And, finally, Bonner's favorite, Cinderella!

Friday night, my parents were nice enough to watch the kids for the night!  We enjoyed a terrific evening out with some friends - I really needed a break.  I guess all this coming and going had me worn out and I just didn't realize it!

I finally got my Christmas tree (the one that Stewart cut down for us) all decorated.  I went with a "theme" of bright colors - hot pink, purple, lime green ... and I must say that I love it!  I guess you could say I am bringing the "Princess" out in me with my decorations!

 We have it out on the new screened porch!  That sounded like a great idea until our temperatures plummeted and the water in the tree stand stays melted :-)  Oops!

 Hard to see but this one says, "Dear Santa, I can explain..."

 And this one says, "Dear Santa: Define Good"

I went against the grain and put a star on top - I searched for a hot pink angel, but no luck!

Last night, we went out to eat with my parents, my brother and his wife, so that my parents could get a picture taken for their Christmas card.  It was really, really, really cold but we survived.  Here are Stewart & I trying to get the kids "snug-a-bug"!

And, tonight, our adventures continued with a trip to the local light festival in Greenville.  We went through with my brother and Taylor and thoroughly enjoyed it!  Justin won a free entry through Facebook so we all piled in 1 car and set out!  The lights are pretty and at the top of the mountain (I would guess that many of you would consider it more like a hill than a mountain ... ha!), you can get out and go see Santa.  He was a great Santa and tonight, you took your own pictures with him for free so it was definitely a win-win.  Ian got pretty close to him without any major breakdown; Bonner, on the other hand ... well, let's just say that the picture says it all!

Fortunately, for Bonner, Ian was able to tell Santa that she would like a baby doll.

And lastly, as we were leaving Santa's area tonight, there was a board you could stand behind and be a toy soldier ... Ian wouldn't let us leave until he showed off his look!

We are going Friday night to the Polar Express - a train trip in Bryson City, NC.  You travel to the North Pole where Santa comes onto the train and reads the children the Polar Express book.  I am really excited about the trip and, of course, will post some pictures after our next adventure!