O Christmas Tree, Aw Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is one of my favorite things about the season. I collect ornaments from places we visit and to commemorate big occasions, so I love the memories that come with decorating the tree. Growing up, my mom gave each of us an ornament most years to mark some aspect of our personality or a milestone in our lives. I plan to do the same thing. Last year Breeley got a bee ornament since that's my nickname for her.

We don't make a big production of actually picking out the tree. I like the idea of cutting one down, but the only trees that grow around here are cyprus and pine, and I prefer Fraiser Firs. For the last two years, Brian has gone alone and gotten one for $29.99 at Piggly Wiggly. The downside of that is that their trees are from overseas most likely, so they die before Christmas. But, the ones from NC cost twice as much and it's hard to justify paying that much, so we take our chances. (This one is dead as of 2 days ago.) I've considered a fake tree, but I usually don't think they are full enough and never have enough lights. This year I put over 1,000 lights on our tree. Brian had the great idea of putting it in the living room in front of our fireplace. Previously we've put it in the dining room at our front window, mostly because of space, but this year we had to rearrange regardless. I love it here and I think it's beautiful! 

Zack seems to love the tree as well. Breeley was 8-months-old at her first Christmas, and 20 months last year. She never messed with the tree. Zack, on the other hand...

We aren't exactly surprised. This shelf has held decorative (breakable) items for years, and Breeley has never messed with it. Zack, on the other hand...

He's Mr. Curiosity and is into everything! Christmas is not a great time to have a crawling baby, especially one who puts everything in his mouth (which Breeley also did not do). So far, along with the normal dog food and hair ties, I've confiscated tissue/wrapping paper, needles from the tree, and ornaments with hooks. He also ate part of my Christmas shopping list, so that's my excuse if I leave anyone out!

Despite all this, Zack is still on Santa's good list this year! We love our little boy! 

Train Ride with Santa

(post dated)

On Saturday we headed to the SC Railroad Museum for a real 45-minute train ride with Santa. I still remember going on a train ride when I was younger, so I thought this would be fun. Granted, our kids are a bit young to remember this later, so maybe this goes into the category of "reliving our childhood through our children."

Breeley is obsessed with her daddy right now, so of course she wanted to sit with him.

We missed hearing "All Aboard" but she was excited to hand the conductor her ticket.

She stood on her seat and watched Santa Claus the whole time. We couldn't get her to look out the window.

Telling Santa what she wants for Christmas (a "lawn mower like Kade's")

Our children are not afraid of Santa Claus!

Zack liked looking out the window more than Breeley did. His carseat still faces backwards, so this was a much better view than the back of the seat in the car.

(That flyaway hair on my forehead was annoying all day.)

You may remember some pictures like this from a few months ago. Zack STILL doesn't always appreciate his sister's affections. (He's actually less tolerant now that he can fight back.)

But he LOVES her from a distance. I love moments like this.

Thanksgiving Break 2010

I'm late with posting pics, but we had a great Thanksgiving in VA. We traveled after work on Tuesday, a great plan that once again backfired when Breeley didn't sleep much in the car. When we arrive late, she thinks it's time to play and ends up being up way late.

Brian headed to the cabin and went hunting on Wednesday, and the kids and I spent a fun day at Lindsay's with the cousins. Breeley absolutely LOVES her cousins and I love the time with Lindsay. Joy came over for dinner when she got off work, then we went back to her house and my parents came to see the kids before bedtime.

On Thanksgiving Day, we headed to Brian's grandparents for a wonderful meal and fun with cousins again. Granny outdid herself on the meal, as usual, and Brian and I both went back for seconds, which is rare! I ended up taking leftovers to eat the rest of the week, and they never got old! Yum!

Playing in leaves with Emily

Casey and Richie met Zack for the first time (I think)

All the kids piled on the golf cart for a ride. Breeley, of course, couldn't get enough.

A different kind of ride

Zack charming Ma and Pappy. (This was one of only a few smiles from Pappy. We were all worried because he felt TERRIBLE all week. He ended up in the ER on Friday and was diagnosed with an inflamed liver. Now, weeks later, he's on the mend, but it's been a long road. We love you, Pappy, and hope you feel better by Christmas!)

Emma turned 8 on Thanksgiving Day! It's hard to believe. Another reminder of how fast our babies grow up!

Emma riding Black, Lauren's horse.

Of course Breeley had to ride too.

View of the house from upper field. Papa White grew up on this farm, and then raised his girls there too. We'd love to have something similar. Breeley could not get enough of being outside. As you can tell, she was outside a lot, but as soon as she'd come in, she'd start tugging on our legs and saying, "Go outside and play."

Joy stayed with the kids so I could go early-morning Black Friday shopping. Brian took over when he came back from the cabin, and Doug and Joy headed to the ER. Black Friday shopping has become a tradition for me and I was happy to do it again. After naptime we went over to Lindsay and Brian's for dinner and more cousin time! I loved how low-key and unscheduled this whole visit seemed. We had lots of time to just hang out. I hate having to rush from place to place when we are supposed to be on break/vacation.

On Saturday morning we went to eat at Grammy and Papa's. Another yummy Thanksgiving meal!

Zack hanging out with his cool uncle DJ.

Breeley had fun with this double stroller, which I came across while I was hunting for a ride-on fire truck we had as kids (I never found it). I also brought down a Barney stuffed animal. I laughed when I realized Breeley was calling it "school Barney" because they have one like it at daycare!

Zack liked all the "new" toys too! (I promise Amy was more thrilled than she seems in these pictures. Sorry Amy, it was you or Kevin and you get more face-time on my blog, so I went with the one where he looked better, and Zack of course.)

Both kids enjoyed the wooden train. You can see "school Barney" laying there as well, but Zack wasn't interested in him.

It was a fun visit and it was great to see everyone. However, I must say that my favorite part of Thanksgiving was that Breeley essentially came home potty-trained! Our potty journey deserves its own blog post, but it took a giant leap forward when she stayed completely dry on Thanksgiving Day! That is definitely a reason to be thankful!

Daycare Christmas Program

The much-anticipated Christmas Program at daycare was Friday. Because last year turned into standing room only, this year they split the program into two groups to make room for all the spectators watching our young thespians. Preparations for the program are clouded in secrecy, but I knew the "2 and younger" group would be full of cuteness.

Zack's Infant Class represented the "Gift of Life" - they were all presents and wore bows on their heads. He seemed thrilled.

Breeley's 2-year-old class represented "Wishes and Dreams" and were dressed as stars. I had two videos but they aren't loading, so you'll have to settle for some still shots.

We learned that Breeley does NOT have stage fright! Most of the children came in looking dazed and confused, some cried, some immediately wanted their parents. Breeley did look a little dazed at first, but she took charge and ended up leading her group on stage. When she got to her spot she started squealing and saying "woah" and waving at us.

They attempted to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," which Breeley knows and has been singing around the house for weeks, but she was distracted by her fans and only sang a few words during the actual performance. She was the first to put her star ornament on the tree, then she busted through the crowd and started entertaining everyone with silly faces. Unfortunately, my camera malfunctioned, so this is the best shot I got.

Recreating the silly face she made for about 15 seconds, but somehow I didn't get a picture of. I have no idea where she learned this! I'd never seen her do it before that night.

Zack was not a fan of the bow on his head. (I can't blame him.) Breeley continued to be completely wired and crazy. I think the program unleashed some confidence because she has seemed even more outgoing. She's always been friendly, but lately she's made a big point of saying "HI" very loudly and has been less bashful and clingy, not that I would have used those words to describe her before.

I could do a whole post of "out-takes" that it took to get this picture.

Amy was able to come at the last minute. She's 2-for-2 with seeing the Christmas Program. When we got to daycare on Monday, the first thing Breeley said was "Amy at school today?" Amy was at her own school, but I'm glad her school is in the same town as us!

Two Weekends and a Shower

My sister, Amy, is getting married on December 17 in the Columbia LDS Temple. Our parents were down two weekends in a row, first to go to the temple with her at the end of October, then for her wedding shower on November 6.

Mom, Dad, and Kevin were here over our busy Halloween weekend, but they were with Amy all day Saturday and didn't participate in our Halloween festivities. My camera was busy trying to catch cute costume pictures for most of the weekend, but I managed to snap these on Sunday.

The next weekend, Mom and Dad returned for the bridal shower brunch I hosted for Amy. Brian was gone for the majority of the week on his annual hunting trip to VA, so it was nice to have their help with the kids, food, and house.

Food for the shower - breakfast casserole, bagels, raisin bread, fruit (oranges, bananas, grapes, grapefruit), sausage, milk, and juice. I managed to think of a variety of foods that fit Amy's picky breakfast palate. Despite burning the muffins and forgetting to make the cinnamon rolls, she still approved!

Everyone wrote down advice for Amy and Andrew, and Amy read them aloud. After a few we realized Breeley was pretending to read them as well!

Mom tries to take a picture of us every time we are together, but we always protest because it's almost always the end of the day/outing, and one or both of us looks bad/tired or is dressed in p.j.s/workout gear/etc. We didn't have a good excuse this time!

Brian came home on Saturday in time for us to head to Charlotte to pick up our new van, so my parents watched the kids.

The kids loved seeing Grammy and Papa two weekends in a row!

They were also really happy to have Daddy back!