Holiday in the Park

On the day after Christmas, we loaded up the family (Bert, myself, Elizabeth, Caroline, Nanna, Pappa, and Hannah) along with our friends Allison, Brayden and Gabriella and headed to Six Flags to enjoy Holiday in the Park.  It was strangely warm which meant it was more crowded this  year, but we still had fun! 

Caroline and I played games and won prizes while other the "big" people rode a few roller coasters and rides that she wasn't quite big enough for.  She won this cape which she was quite proud of!  

Caroline's favorite ride is always the carousel.  

These 6-year-olds were stuck together like glue the entire day.  This was as we were walking in and they were strategizing their game plan...the order in which they would ride each ride.

Brayden let Elizabeth drive the old timey car.  I was dying over his arm around her.

Brayden and Elizabeth talked me into riding the Mind Bender.  Elizabeth and I had never ridden it before but they were both tall enough, so we did.  OH MY GOODNESS!  I cannot believe my baby was big enough for this upside down, twisty, fast roller coaster.  I mean... it's a REAL roller coaster and of course, she LOVED it!  I wanted to cry, but she loved it!

We played at Six Flags for 7 hours that day!  It was so much fun, but mainly because my people were there!  It was a great way to end our Christmas celebration together.

Celebrating Jesus!

Our Christmas Card 2015

JOY

Caroline, Bentley, and Elizabeth on Christmas Eve

My little family on Christmas Eve

Friends = Family

An angel, wise man, and shepherd...

Allison and me waiting to eat Hibachi.  I love tradition!

My favorite walruses

My favorite elves in their Christmas pjs

Samta came!  Christmas morning was so much fun I hardly took any pictures.  Halfway through opening gifts Elizabeth came to me and said, "Mommy, I don't think I'm going to get an American girl doll but I'm not going to get upset.  It's okay."  Then a few minutes later she opened up her doll that looked just like her!  I''m sad that I didn't catch it on video or camera, but I will always remember her shrill of joy!  It made my morning.  

I made German mulled wine on Christmas day for our German girls.  They warmed us from  the inside out!

Watching these "young" people chat made my day and felt  so festive.

We moved the playhouse upstairs and hardly saw the girls all day.  They kept changing  outfits to match their dolls.

Hannah passed down many of the American girl outfits that Dianna's mom made for her 15 years ago.  I'm not sure who loved that more, me or Elizabeth.

Christmas Break part 1

Baking and Decorating

checking out neighborhood Christmas lights

Staring contests while we wait on our food

Party at the Top Floor on the Square

Elizabeth was the understudy for Mary so she got to rehearse after church

They were so excited for their Christmas parties the last week of school.

I checked the girls out early from their parties (to save their teachers' sanity) so my little elves came to my classroom to help.

Lately

We've been quite busy gearing up for Christmas and doing so many fun things!  

Waiting for Pope's Showcase of the Arts to begin

Starting our advent countdown!

Elizabeth is officially a big kid!  Both of her front two baby teeth are gone (I cried on the inside).  She cried on the outside because she accidently swallowed it!!

Caroline loves to sleep right on top of people.  What a sweet big sister she has!

Our 8th annual Shop with a Greyhound was a success and bigger than ever!  We had 450 Pope student volunteers and 175 kids from Brumby.  This is my favorite event to organize and be apart of.

We took the kids to Callaway Gardens to see the Fantasy of Lights.  There was so much to do there and the weather was so nice that we let the kids stay up way too late but we all enjoyed ourselves!

Santa Baby

We have 3 traditional Santa visits each year.  1) Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus  2) Santa on the Square  3) Our "official" picture with Lenox Santa and the Pink Pig 

And sometimes we get to see Santa unexpectedly at a Cookie Decorating Party:-)

  

I love our little town!