It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Today we got most of our Christmas decorations out and set up.  I just love decorating for Christmas and I love how the house looks all lit up with Christmas lights inside.  This year we even put up two trees.  We actually have one more tree we could put up and if it wasn't for having to take them back down, then I probably would've put up a third one!  Here's a few pics of our decor.

new attempt this year....Christmas tree in the kitchen.  The idea I'm hoping will work is to clip our Christmas cards we get in the mail on it.  So, send your Christmas cards out....I want to decorate the tree!!

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care"

our other Christmas tree...which is most likely in it's final year at our house.  It is 8 years old now, and the branches are starting to fall apart.  I'll have to see if I can find a great deal after Christmas.

Kyle made this in preschool......It's beginning to fall apart, but I just love it. 

The Nativity scene that Ben's grandma made for us when we got married

Kyle's Nativity scene that he made when he was in Preschool.  I just adore this, also.  I will continue to set this one out, too, for as long as the paper holds up!!

More posts to follow on my favorite Christmas decorations.....



Visting the town of Santa Claus

Outside Santa's Candy Castle

After the shower, the four of us headed to the town of Santa Claus to visit Rudolph's Land of Lights and Santa's Candy Castle.  We also visited the Christmas Shop and had pizza at the Brick Oven.  We had a very good time.  In fact, Kyle said, "This town looks like a really nice place to live!  Can we move here?"  He thought it was so cool that the town was centered around Santa Claus. 

my little Elf..."Mommy, should I buy these?"

"No, PINK is more my style"  (of course, she chose to buy the pink hat)

Frozen Hot Chocolate....YUMMY!!!!!  That itself was worth the trip!

Hannah trying to decide what PEZ dispenser she was going to buy.  There were so many to choose from.

It was definitely a tough choice for both of them.

Hannah making snow

Kyle amazed at the snow he just made!  I was amazed myself.  The stuff was very cool. 

SNOW!!

Hannah watching for her gumball at Santa's Candy Castle

Kyle tried a different gumball machine. 

On Saturday nights they have chestnut roasting.  We now know what it meant by "chestnuts roasting on an open fire."  We all got to try some.  I was the only one that thought they were pretty good. 

We, of course, had to have our picture taken with Santa.  This was outside the Christmas Gift Shop.

And Santa just happened to be inside!  It was so cute because Hannah was standing there looking at something in the shop and then Santa came through a side door right beside her.  Her jaw just dropped! 

Talking to Santa

hugs for Santa

Hannah was AMAZED at the village set up.  This was her reaction to the Nutcracker.  It had the dancers twirling and spinning. 

They both loved looking at the village set up

We ended our evening at the Brick Oven Pizza.  By the way, don't these two look like they could be twins in this picture!  I think this picture especially shows how much they resemble each other!

Kara's Baby Shower

Saturday my Mom and I hosted a baby shower at my house for my sister-in-law, Kara.  Her and my brother are expecting a baby girl in January.  Before the shower, Steven and Kara first celebrated Christmas with Kyle and Hannah since the two of them will not be able to make it in for Christmas this year.

Hannah got an ironing board & iron and apron, hat & oven mitts.  She loved it all!  Kyle got two sets of Kinects.

hugs for Uncle Steven

hugs for Aunt Kara

Doesn't she look cute?

Hannah managed to iron all the blankets before the shower

Uncle Steven took Kyle to Mr. Gatti's during the shower.  Kyle was SO excited about getting to go with Steven for the afternoon!

pink cookies....pink cupcakes

the food spread

loved the polka-dot cookies

Kara with her helper

Hannah cleaned up all the trash

Heather, Kara, Hannah & Me

Kyle's arms were full when he returned!  Steven said that next time he was taking him to the casino because he was the luckiest kid he'd ever seen.  Kyle won three animals from the crane game.  He only played twice.  One time he got two animals at one time.  The lady working was amazed.  She said she'd NEVER seen that done!  He also went to another game that was like a slot machine type game, put his first token in and hit the 100 ticket jackpot on the first try.  Steven said all the other kids were at that game trying to hit the jackpot after they saw Kyle do it.  They didn't have quite the luck!  Thanks, Uncle Steven for spending time with Kyle.  He had so much fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We hosted Thanksgiving festivities at our house this year.  We had Ben's side of the family and my side of the family over for lunch.  My brother Jason made the turkey.  He is the master "meat maker".   He always does a fabulous job.  We had my absolute favorite food....Mom's chicken-n-dumplings.  Ben's mom made the famous Broeker dressing.  Hannah and I made 4 pies, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatos and gravy.  I've never been successful at mashed potato making; however, I made 10 lbs for Thanksgiving and they were delicious thanks to my new KitchenAid Mixer which I am now in love with.  We also had green beans, corn,  rolls and FIVE different desserts!  There was so much food and it was all so delicious!!

Thanksgiving started with the kids watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.  I couldn't get enough of watching Hannah mock every act that came on!

    

There she is....marching with the band.

Jason getting ready to carve the turkey

Hannah with her Mamaw Joanie

Hannah and Christian enjoying lunch

Natalie & Jason

All the boys finished eating before Hannah, so she was excited to come to the adult table.

Family.....together......what it's all about!

Hannah & Christian both enjoyed chocolate pie. 

Ty, Kyle & Trey chowing down on dessert.  I believe Kyle ended up sampling all of them!!

loved...loved....Natalie's shirt

What's Thanksgiving without a margarita....right?  Ben's Dad brought the Margarita Machine down he got for his birthday to give it it's first test run!  I do have to say that thing is VERY cool!

If you love margaritas.....you should definitely try one of these out!!