Santa? I love him!

This year we went to see Santa early.  On Saturday, after Thanksgiving, we went to The Black Lion to see our favorite Santa.  He really, really is the best.  They do such a great job with the whole set up as well.  This time we had family in town so The Johnsons & The Bagwells went with us.  Nora was a little hesitant at first (remember the crying last year?), but quickly enjoyed his attention and their sweet talk.  He talked to her about what she wanted for Christmas (dress up clothes, dress up shoes, and a pig flashlight) and to use her two ears God gave her to listen to her parents.  Isn't he a good Santa?

Ruby & Nora signed the nice list

Ruby & Nora by the gingerbread house

Mrs. Claus had cookies

And her helper had hot cocoa

The babies entertained us...we love them!

Hi Santa...

I love you!

Millie transitioned on with Nora

The Bagwells!

And The Johnsons!

Now, any time I need her to hurry up & want her to wear a Christmas outfit, I just tell her maybe we'll see Santa & she quickly gets ready.  She has also told approximately 212 people what she told Santa she wanted for Christmas.  Every stranger in Lake Wylie has heard the list.  Love it!

Bell. Jingle Bell.

Meet our new friend, Jingle Bell. We love him. He brings so much excitement to our house each morning as Nora finds where he's hiding or what mischief he's gotten into. He came to us on November 30th. Nora got to pick his name. Her immediate response was "Bell. Jingle Bell." This was the beginning of the Christmas season (& this year was her first of really starting to understand it) so she didn't even know the song "Jingle Bells" yet. Somehow she picked a random yet fitting name for our little elf.

Here are his antics of 2012:

In a wreath

In a stockinng

A ride on the fan

A view from up high

Scaring us in the cupboard

Making flour angels

Sneaking up top

Bringing a photo of his 2 favorites

Swinging from the flowers

In the candy bowl

Fishing

In a kissing booth

With Nora's toothbrush all ready

Enjoying cereal in Nora's bowl

Taking a bubble bath while we were out of town

Rolling around

Coloring on Mommy & Daddy

Hiding in the tree

Kissing Barbie under the mistletoe

 

We will definitely miss Jingle Bell now that he's returned to Santa.  We can't wait to see him next year!

Blessings

Grandpa Steve bought a new (used) toy...an RV.  It's great & the timing was perfect for Thanksgiving.  We had The Brown, Johnson, & Bagwell families come into town.  We also had Katie, Bridget, & Ella come.  (It was really exciting to see Ella for the first time since her mission.)  It was a packed house.  We lucked out to have the Bagwells stay with us.  We loved it!  Millie & Nora played dress up every morning and night.  Everyone liked have Baby Loulis (Louis) to hold and squeeze...especially Aaron.  It was a busy week, like usual when family is in town.

 

 

Louis is fun to hold, pet, & poke.

 

 

 

On Wednesday, we had a special party.  I didn't get any pictures of it, but Baby Louis was blessed.  It was sweet.  Then, to add to the special day, we had Millie's 3rd birthday party.  It was a tea party & everyone enjoyed it.

 

 cupcakes for party favors

 

 

After the baby blessing, everyone was invited to get dolled up & ready for the tea party.  There were hats, necklaces, gloves, & mustaches.



 

 

 

 

Eventually it was time to wake up the birthday girl.  (Millie managed to sleep all through the blessing!) She was ready with some fun mustaches.

Nora loved all the snacks & 'tea'.  (She drank lemonade & lots of it!)  We had all kinds of luncheon foods like veggies & dip, pinwheels, etc.  Then, we had desserts from cookies to truffles. 

 

tea with Ruby

and lots of tea with Daddy

 



After tea, we played a couple of games like draw-a-teapot-on-a-plate-on-your-head (boy did those turn out interesting!) and learning the song "I'm a Little Teapot".  Then, it was presents time.  Millie sure made out with the presents!  Nora hated she didn't have to share.

 

 Our last big hurrah was Thanksgiving.  We had some delicious food...including multiple fried turkeys.  Aaron (with help from the other men) built my mom a new table.  Just in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

 

 

 

And since he's such a good son-in-law he also helped (with Xan & the boys) recover her chairs to go with the table.  Dinner was ready for the table but had to be put on hold while the chairs got finished.  It's never a dull moment when all of us are together!  

 

 

We did a little shopping on Friday & some crafting.  (Perfect!)  Then, Saturday morning family started leaving.  It was great having them all around for a few days.  We're so glad they came. 

 

I am surprised & sad that I did not get any pictures of Millie & Nora playing.  They were always together & Nora loved every minute of it!  Now we can't wait for the summer!