Christmastime 2013

I just wanted to take a minute to re-cap some of the fun things we've been blessed with this Christmastime!  The season is winding down... or climaxing... however you want to look at it!  We are celebrating Christmas with our little family & my family this Friday/Saturday and then headed out for a massive road trip!  Lord willing, we are driving to Searcy Saturday night/Sunday morning and staying for a few days then heading to Richardson for a few days after Christmas.  We're so excited to be able to see so many precious family & friends! That being said, we have enjoyed all that leads up to the celebrating :) Here's a quick look at some of the things we've done!

 Gingerbread trains with Pop-Pop & Gigi
We joined in on this tradition last year and the boys have been looking forward to it for a while now!  I'm so thankful to have grandparents who put together fun traditions for my little people.  My kids have precious memories of their great-grandparents and that is such a blessing!

 Letters to Santa
This was a bigger deal this year!  The boys knew what they wanted to ask for and spent several weeks making their final decisions :)  Westin wrote his all by himself-- just asked for the correct letters and he did a great job!  When we finished, we dropped the letters off at the adorable mailboxes at the new Bass Pro Shops just down the road from us.

Visit with Santa

Speaking of the new Bass Pro Shops... that's where we saw Santa this year as well :) Both boys were VERY excited (no apprehension whatsoever this year) and sat for some great pictures!  

Cookies and Candy with Mimi
In keeping with tradition from MY childhood, we spent an afternoon with my mom and siblings making cookies and candies!  One of these years, I'm going to make sure I copy all of the recipes we've used through the years.  Those things should really be put in a book or somewhere electronic so we don't lose any!  

The Santa Express
Something new for us this year-- we, along with my whole family, rode the Santa Express train!  It's modeled after the Polar Express... one of my boys' very favorite Christmas stories!  It was a dream come true for my little boys!  On our way to "the North Pole," we were served cookies & hot chocolate, entertained with Christmas songs, games, and stories, and the lights out the window.  When we got to the North Pole, Santa climbed aboard and talked with each of the kids & gave them a bell from his reindeer :) It was perfect! 

Christmas Outfits
Since we will be driving this Sunday, we already broke out the Christmas outfits :) I wasn't about to miss dressing up my babies because we will be driving!  I made bow-ties for them this year which was so so easy.  I was really pleased with how the outfits came together! Dressing boys can be fun too ;)

I can't wait to report back with the end of the season festivities :) Sending our love to each of you and your families and wishing you a Christmas packed full of love and memories with those who mean the most to you!