December

December started off with Christmas cards. Kelly took these pictures of us at Thompson Tree Farm and several ended up on our cards! 

Then one day after school we made our annual visit to see Santa at Bass Pro. The boys always look forward to seeing Santa but are even more excited about all of the fun activities that await them after their picture is taken!

Bow and Arrow

 Target practice

 Remote Control trucks

 And of course, all of the boats and ATVs in the store!

 The following week, Caden had his Kindergarten Christmas Program at school. He was a toy soldier and he did everything he was supposed to do! This boy has come a long way!

 

The boys then had their Christmas parties at school upon which I coordinated but was so busy during the party that I didn't take the first picture of either one :-( 

But, on the up side, it was finally time for family to come to town to celebrate Christmas! We spent a fantastic time playing, hanging out, and celebrating. We even broke out the Rook cards! But the kids' favorite event is, by far, opening presents! The Littles played Santa and passed out gifts. 

Then it was time to open gifts! 

Even Caroline had a great time digging through the presents :-)

This little one had a blast

and Sweet Collier got a big girl bike! 

Then, at last, it was Christmas morning! 

 Santa came!

 And the boys were excited! 

 

Whew! Time to rest!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving week followed tradition and was spent at Mimi's. At the beginning of the week, the boys and I ran errands, went to the park, and met Mimi for lunch. Then Thanksgiving Day rolled around and Mimi had her little helpers in the kitchen :-) 

 Just before dinner rolled around, the Littles decorated the tablecloth covering their table...

 while Gunter and Lucy marked their spot close to the action in the kitchen

As always, we took pictures

Mimi and the Grands

Mimi and MawMaw 

 Chad, Ashley, Collier, & Caroline

 The whole family :- )

A great week was had by all! 

Mimi's Birthday Trip-Nashville

Our Fall trip for Mimi's birthday this year was in Nashville. We had the best time and had a terrific long weekend! 

First stop was a day at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. They had just gotten all of their Christmas decorations up. We explored all of the wings of the hotel, ate lunch, then did some activities there as well.

After lunch, we took a boat ride along the "river."

Then we visited ICE!, the Charlie Brown ice exhibit. It was COLD! 

It was cold, even with the parkas, but seeing all of the sculptures were amazing!

Ethan and Snoopy are two peas in a pod ;-)

The boys had a blast on the ice slide!

The Nativity at the end of the exhibit was beautiful! 

Then the boys practiced their snowball tossing skills

Then we saw the Water and Light show in the center of the hotel. It was set to beautiful music and based on the birth of Jesus. 

Then we walked over to Opryland Mills and had dinner at The Aquarium Restaurant with lots of fish, sting rays...

and a giant crab!

The next day began with a tour of the famous Ryman Auditorium. 

                         Mimi had been to the Grand Ole Opry as a child and was excited to go back!

After a delicious BBQ lunch, we visited the GooGoo shop, home of the Goo Goo cluster. Maw-Maw is a huge fan!

And we walked down Printer's Alley, the previous home of all of the Country and Blues venues.

As we were walking along, I saw a fellow DAR classmate that was going to be performing later that evening! So cool! 

Then we had a quick dinner and returned to the Ryman. Ben scored tickets to that night's show! 

It was amazing to see the show live! 

And super cool to see all of the performers!

Exile was there!

Our last day we visited the largest European car museum in the country. Caden was in heaven!

Then we checked out Cooter's store...

and the General Lee from the Dukes of Hazzard.

We had an awesome weekend in Nashville!