As all Decembers go, especially with children, they are super busy. Fortunately, I love everything about the holiday season, so I don't mind the busy-ness, and miss it when it's over. I'm the first to turn on Christmas music and never tire of it after Christmas.
Addie Kate had her last preschool Christmas program, and it was precious and as super sweet as ever.
My girl loves to sing and loves to be on stage!
Heather and I took the two big ones to see The Nutcracker. It was far more successful than our first try at this... when Lawson was almost two and AK had just turned one.
We then met the little ones and the boys in Cayce for the lights parade. That was cute, and something I'd never been to, regardless of the fact that I grew up in Lexington!
Addie Kate and I enjoyed another ballet with her class. This one was about holidays around the world. We then went out to a girly lunch and shopped on Devine Street.... a perfect day!
Stella came back on December 1st! She brought doughnuts from the north pole and special milk. It was a fun surprise that morning to see her again!
Drew loved her doughnuts, more so than the banana snowmen Mommy made him!
Valeri made this treasure for us to enjoy... and I did enjoy it. I showed it off to everyone and can't wait to put it out every Christmas. How adorable is it?
We spent a weekend in Greenville, enjoying all the things we ever loved about the holidays up there. We ate at Sabroso's, did the Fountain Inn carriage ride, talked to Santa, all with our friends the Vickery's, went through Roper Mountain's Holiday Lights, rode through the live nativity at Simpsonville Methodist, and had ice cream at Spill the Beans! That was all on Friday night!
I love the happiness here upon meeting Santa.
Which leads me to sitting there too. I did it with Addie Kate at the same age.
Ellie joined us... she was no happier, not even with me there. I have to say though, those were the best dressed kids on Santa's sleigh that night! (Note Drew and Ellie matching. Precious.)
Such sweet girls. Makes my heart happy!
Then we added wild one to the bunch. Hilarious.
Our little family on the carriage ride. Drew... bless it.
Drew LOVED the Christmas lights at Roper Mountain... and being able to ride on my lap in a moving car!
Addie Kate jumped right into her Christmas present from Mrs. Brooke and Ellie. We loved staying in the downtown Hampton Inn too. Beautiful hotel!
And then Spill the Beans. Our favorite! No trip downtown, no matter how cold, is complete without it!
The next day we walked around our beloved downtown Greenville. Addie Kate just had to go to OP Taylors, and we enjoyed the holiday things, the gorgeous trees decorated for St. Francis, and the new shops and restaurants.
Poor Drew was DONE. Bless him, he barely made it through lunch. I love this picture though, ha!
He, of course, perked up for the milkshake (we were at GrillMarks)... which was amazing.
Next, Addie Kate and I went to see the SC Children's Theater perform -
I love Junie B. and had recently introduced Addie Kate to the books. The play was precious.
Addie Kate has been to many of their performances, and we both love how the cast members come out after the show to sign autographs. Fun for the audience and how special those child-actors must feel!
That night, we had our annual fondue with the Seidels and the Keelers. One of my favorite Christmas traditions. This was our 5th year???
We spent the night with them that night and rushed out the next morning to make it to church for Addie Kate to sing in the Cantata. Which she did not do. Ugh.
Then Sunday night, I took Addie Kate, with my brother, sister in law, and mom, to see The Singing Christmas Tree. I remember going when I was little and it did not disappoint. I cannot imagine going to a church that big, but I imagine it's a great worship experience!
Addie Kate had her little Christmas dance thing for parents.
Drew made a mess, of everything. It's a good thing he's so cute.
Addie Kate and I made another girls trip to Greenville, to see Disney on Ice with her friend Olivia.
Such sweet girls and sweet friends.
Then Addie Kate and I made a 3rd trip to Greenville, to see Mary Poppins. I was not missing it, but boy was it bad timing. We did get to go with good friends and enjoy a great dinner together too.
Sweet girl fell asleep on me during the whole second half, which was the best half. I was so upset! We then had to get Tommy to get us a hotel room because I just didn't think I could make it back by myself so late at night. It was a lesson learned not to pack in too much. I'm trying to do better at that.
Addie Kate also had one of her rounds on motion sickness on the way home the next morning (mainly due to playing the ipad in the car on the way home), and threw up on our street. Literally 20 seconds from our house. UGH!
My sweet ones after church one morning.
Addie Kate was finally in her first Christmas program. She was a cute little sheep and was NOT happy about it. I also told the director not to give her a speaking part, and darn if she didn't want one. Clearly mommy didn't win this one.
Drew enjoyed the program, and looked cute in AK's ears!
And a quick pic of one of our trees. I absolutely adore Christmas.
