Christmas Town 2011

We went to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens twice this year. The first time Grandma and Grandpa were here and the weather was beautiful! At night it was mid-50's and we could get away with light jackets. Such an improvement over last year when we were freezing in the snow and over the second time we went (no pictures from that night) when it was raining and 40. YUCK! As always, the gardens were beautiful and going was the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season.

Cousin Christmas

Heidi, Jeff, and the girls came out to celebrate Christmas a few weeks early since we were going to be gone most of December. Grandma and Grandpa were already here for Thanksgiving so they got to join in the fun with the girls (and Carter). Great minds thought alike for Christmas this year and all the girls got new dress up clothes. Heidi, knowing Carter well, got Carter a few new Cars 2 cars and he was in heaven. We love that we are so close and get to see the girls as often as we do.

Princess and Prince Birthday Party

Addie and Carter's friend Brianna turned three and had a prince and princess birthday party.  She encouraged all the children to dress up and then had Cinderella come to read to them and help with the party.  To say it was a hit would be an understatement.  Addie followed Cinderella around the whole night in awe that she was there and Carter and a blast with his buddies terrorizing all of the wonderful art projects Kendre had put together.  We all had a great time and you can just imagine what Addie wants for her next birthday...

The prince (or rather knight) and his princess

Oh my word Cinderella is here!

The birthday girl

Thanksgiving Parties

Addie and Carter both got to enjoy Thanksgiving parties this year.  Addie's teacher organized her 20 kindergartners and taught them several super cute songs.  The kids were darling and dressed as either Pilgrims or Indians (which I volunteered to make... dyed t-shirts in a bucket, cut them up, got carpal tunnel, never again!).  Here's Addie with some of her friends celebrating the day.

Carter also had an in class celebration.  He opted out of singing most of the songs (he "just didn't want to") but enjoyed the snack afterward and the time to play with his friends.

Taking it to the Ice

Addie has been dying to try everything and so this winter we gave ice skating a try.  I had pretty low expectations but she did awesome!  She was in the beginner class and was able to actually glide a little by the end of the five weeks.  She showed no fear, hardly fell, and loved it.  We may have a skater on our hands over here!

Happy Halloween!

ARR MATEY!  Happy Halloween from our house to yours.  We were finally home for the first time in three years and the kids got to enjoy running around the neighborhood with their friends.  A perfect evening!

Addie's First Field Trip

Addie's class along with 10 other Kindergarten classes in Hampton Roads went to the pumpkin patch today.  Henry was able to take off work and go with her and you will have to ask him what it was like going on a field trip with a ton of moms in mini vans.  My favorite quote from the day was, "a mom in a mini van just got pulled over for trying to speed over the bridge to catch back up with the bus as if she would never be invited back to another field trip if she wasn't directly behind the bus at all times."  Yikes!  Maybe I'm glad I sat this one out.  Addie had a great time though and that's all that matters.

Pumpkin Carving

Who doesn't like a good gooey pumpkin carving session.  After picking pumpkins four times (one was Addie's field trip) we had plenty to carve.  Too bad here on the east coast they get nasty quickly due to all the humidity so a carved pumpkin is short lived.

Woods Orchard

If you were following the Presidents visit to Hampton Roads you would know that our favorite local pumpkin patch was inculded on his stops.  Woods Orchard is a super cute patch down the street that's been in operation forever.  Unlike Belmont, they did have pumpkins, and really good ones at that. 

Belmont Pumpkin Patch

It's fall... you know what that means... PUMPKIN TIME!  I love, Love, LOVE pumpkin patch photos and I'd heard really good things about the Belmont Pumpkin patch in Matthews.  So one Saturday we loaded up the car, drove an hour into the middle of nowhere, and visited the patch.  Too bad the hurricane had rotten out the pumpkins and there were none there to pick.  We did take a hay ride and walked through the sunflower field.  I doubt we'll make the trip next year but it was fun for our first pumpkin outing.

Apple Picking in Charlottesville

I have a running list of things to do before we leave Virginia and apple picking was one of those things.  On our way home from Lynchburg we stopped in Charlottesville at Carter Mountain Orchard.  Carter was so cute the whole time we were there saying we were visiting his mountian!  This place was beautiful and you could see for miles ontop of the hill.  They not only grow apples, but peaches, and grapes for wine and I definietly see another trip out there in the future. 

Dan and Liz's wedding

Henry's cousin got married in October in Lynchburg and the kids got their chance to go to their first wedding.  We had a long talk about how they needed to behave and be quiet during the ceremony and they were SO good.  Dan looked so happy and Liz looked beautiful.  We're thrilled to have her in our family.  They had their reception in an historic old building in downtown Lynchburg and it was so neat.  Lots of exposed brick and cool character.  The kids got to sit with their cousins, and after dinner all 5 of them along with Lily, Bella, and Liam hit the dance floor.  They were by far the cutest dancers out there. 

Yes, it's just water

Carter and Mia tearing up the dance floor

These little people are trouble together

GG and 5 of her 9 great grandkids the next morning