Fantasy in Lights, Food, Family, Football and a Fir

Our Daddy came home early on Wednesday, so the girls could experience their first trip to "Fantasy in Lights" at Calloway Gardens (a musical light show you drive through by car or by trolley). 

They loved the lights (except the flying owl, which totally terrified both of them).  And then they both enjoyed their first "Hunter's Pub" experience for dinner and devoured their cheese toast appetizer.

 I think we heard, "Wow, look Mommy look" and "Daddy... look! Its so pretty, I want to pet them" a hundred times. They were dying to get out of the car and touch the lights.

 Caroline's very favorite light...Tinkerbell!

Then we enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with family. We spent Turkey Day at Weezie and Grandaddy's. Lots of food was eaten and lots of hugs were given.  I only wish my side of the family could have been their too.

 I am so so thankful for such an amazing family and the newest member on it's way!

 And its always a treat to see Uncle Alan (Melissa's Brother) and cousins Michael and Taylor.

As the girls were napping, the Christmas decorations came out. I wanted to have most of them out and the boxes put back before little hands started "helping". 

We'll see how many Snow Village and Nativity Scene casualties we'll have this year. :)

Christmas Casualties 2009

Friday was a day full of more food and football. The Auburn Tigers pulled off a victory against Alabama, so a trip to Toomer's Corner was a must. Unfortunately, the only pictures I have are on my phone. WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!

And today was all about the tree (fir). Kate was so excited that Santa was at the lot and followed him around the whole time. Caroline, who is still very scared of Santa, enjoyed the chocolate chip cookies they were handing out and helping her Daddy find the perfect tree.

A Busy Week

Last Tuesday was Chris' 30th Birthday! And because he was adamant about not having a surprise party, or any party for that matter, we celebrated as a family.

Helping Daddy put together his birthday puzzle surprise!

Then on Saturday morning we headed to Atlanta to see Santa. 

 While waiting in line, we filled out our wish lists. Kate asked for a bubble machine and a baby doll, while Caroline asked for a High Chair for Sally (her baby doll). Everyone was still smiling and we were actually having to hold Kate back from skipping people in line. But when it came down to sitting in Santa's lap, the fear set in for poor Caroline. We forced encouraged her to sit with Santa, long enough for the photographer to get their picture. Kate on the other hand was hilarious. She walked straight to Santa, got on his lap and just stared at him wondering what all the fuss was about. NO FEAR!!!!

 Poor Caroline didn't recover until we got to The Pink Pig at Macy's.

Pink. pink and more pink! 

 Giving Pricilla the pig a big squeeze! (She wouldn't go near the live version in the costume- shocker!)

Caroline would have ridden that pink train for hours. She loved it!

And we ended the weekend with the girls' first Auburn basketball game at the new arena.

They actually enjoyed it, especially the snacks at the concession stand, all the music, the interactive screens they could play with, and of course watching Aubie from a distance.

 Kate liked dancing to the music more than sitting! :)

Thank you and War Eagle!

GaGa taught Caroline that she could do somersaults down the hill in the backyard. She loved it...over and over again!

Thank you for coming to visit us GaGa and PaPa! We miss you so much!

Love, Caroline and Kate

"Princess Party"

The other night, Caroline and I went to the Disney Dinner Theater at our church, however it is more commonly referred to as the Princess Party at our house. Caroline is still talking about it! 

Here's our little Cinderella!

Can hardly contain herself. Dancing by her seat. Smile from ear to ear!

"It's Belle Mommy! "It's Belle!", is what I heard all night!

At the end of the program, they allowed the children to come up on stage and Caroline jumped at the chance. Here she is, front and center, signing with all the characters. She attempted to sing along with them, danced, and twirled the whole time. She was in her own little world....and so happy!

 With Jasmine from Aladin!

With Jesse from Toy Story!

 With Woody from Toy Story.

And of course the night wouldn't be complete without a picture with Cinderella!

Georgia/Florida Tailgate

The girls had so much fun tailgating and learned some new cheers that we won't tell Daddy about!

 An ice cream truck kept circling around near our tailgate spot, and PaPa couldn't resist getting the girls an ice cream.

Kate's attempt at:  "Go Dawgs....Sick em! Woof Woof Woof!"

 Caroline with the girls!

 Mom and Mrs. Sam with their grandkids!

 Cheering, cheering and more cheering!

Halloween Festivities and A Long Awaited Visit

We started the Halloween festivities with pumpkin carving! The girls were more into it this year than last, but only for about 15 minutes. The girls ended up playing on their riding toys, while Daddy finished the pumpkins. 

 Later in the week we enjoyed the Parkway Fall Festival (at Caroline's school) until the rain came....twice. We headed to the car after the first rain, but once we got to the car, it stopped, so we re-parked the car a little closer and got out for round two. I think the girls did more people watching than playing at the booths. Caroline kept pointing out all the girls in princess costumes. This may have been the last year that I get to choose the costume for Caroline. Ha! 

The girls got to try their first funnel cake too, and Daddy was very happy that they were serving corn dogs!

 The next day was the Fall Celebration with Caroline's classmates. Look how proud Kate was to sit at the table with all the big kids!

 The Lady Bug (Caroline) and Bumble Bee (Calli Ann)!

 And then on Friday, RaRa was FINALLY here!!! I picked her up late Thursday night so she could be here to wake the girls up Friday.  They were SO excited to see her walk in their rooms. Kate was a little confused and I really think its because RaRa wasn't on the computer screen like usual. But she went straight to her as if she had never left. Caroline started jumping in her bed the second she saw RaRa's face. It was really sweet and I got it all on video!

Here are the girls opening presents from Aunt RaRa!

 And then we were off to GaGa and PaPa's house.

 Everyone was there...Leighton and Matt....

 Grandpa Buzz (above), Grandma Betty, Cinda (above), and Uncle Daryl, Grandma Iz, and Grandpa Hugh.....plus several of TT and RaRa's friends. It was a full house!

 I think the girls finally went to bed around 10pm Friday night. They were having such a good time, and I didn't have the heart to make them go to bed when our visit with RaRa and TT was so short.

Then on Saturday we got up and left by 10am for tailgating. The Georgia/Florida game is hosted in Jacksonville each year and always a very fun event! Pictures from the tailgate will be in a later post because my Dad was the official picture taker that day. :)

On Sunday it was finally time to Trick or Treat! I think we laughed the whole time. Kate would try so hard to keep up with Caroline, but didn't want anyone to help her carry her candy bucket which weighed about as much as she did. After a while, she was over the whole candy thing and Caroline took over the responsibility for herself and Kate. Kate became more interested in the puppies at each house and actually tried to walk straight into peoples' homes. Caroline on the other hand totally into trick or treating from beginning to end and would literally run from house to house saying, "You ready TT? You ready RaRa? We go to this house next now." And if the lights were off at a house she would say, "It's okay...they be back in a minute. We come back."

Every now and then her little feet would get tired and she would let one of us carry her, but wanted down as soon as we got within 15 feet of the next house. When we would get to the door, she would immediately knock and say trick or treat before the door even opened. After getting her candy, she would turn around to us and say, "Look, more tummy ache!" with a huge smile on her face. I honestly have no idea where she has heard about candy giving you a tummy ache, but it was hilarious!!!!

Oh, and of course baby Sally had to come with us!  

 Checking out their loot on GaGa's door steps!

 All sugar'ed up and needing a drink to wash it all down.

 Saying our good-byes Monday morning.

It was sad, but luckily we get to see everyone, even RaRa and TT, again in 2 months (Christmas)! 

We're counting down the days!!!!