Christmas in Dixie

Hi Everyone, We're Back (and almost caught up on sleep)!

Silly faces and all!

Before Christmas we spent over a week in Alabama and had a blast! We kicked off our time there by visiting the North Pole ;)

Judah had a ball riding the big train in his PJs; can you tell??

And who wouldn't love a train ride with chocolate?!

Yes, I'm aware that both the muffin and the hot chocolate were as big as Judah's head but hey, it's Christmas right? This was Judah's first ever taste of hot chocolate. He really can't stop talking about how much he loves it now. I'm afraid his drink requests (and his chocolate-stained PJs) will never be the same :-)

In addition to the train ride, Christmas songs, stories, yummy treats, lights of the North Pole, and gifts from the elves~we got to meet Santa and the lovely Mrs. Claus! This was a double thumbs-up for Mommy and Daddy because we're counting this as our 2012 Santa Photo-op...no waiting in long lines only to be followed by screams of fear this year! But as you can see, Judah still wasn't so sure of Santa's abrupt hug, but lucky for us he went with it (I think because his big cousins were all smiles).

Next on the agenda was the McWane Science Center in Birmingham...one of Judah's favorite places when we visit. This trip, we enjoyed the "Winter Wonderland" exhibit, where we played with Frosty (who says you need real snow?!) Judah's obsession with Frosty truly deserves another post. The song, the movie, the book, the stuffed toy...his fav of the season for sure. So of course it was big hugs for the 'jolly happy soul. '

My brave little man also zip-lined through the Wonderland! The 8 year-olds around us, who were hesitant themselves, were stunned....as were we. Judah loved it, of course. Here he is about to take off from the platform.

We then learned some new skills at a Family Fun Place, like bowling...

And (pretend) hunting...

In keeping with the hunting theme, Judah was reminded that Uncle Wes is the coolest. Because he teaches us how to fish...

and drive diggers....

We also received some awesome gifts...like sunglasses and saxophones!

And a TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD with the whole fam....thank you, KK & Pop! They managed to surprise the kiddos with "We're going to Disney World/2013" shirts!

Judah didn't totally "get it" but jumping in excitement with his cousins was pretty fun anyways! (Now he continuously asks when we are going to "Micky Mouse house.")

Overall it was a very very Merry Christmas in Dixie! Loved the extended time we had to spend with family and friends. Stay tuned for the next post...we celebrated quite a bit in DC, too!

Faux Christmas Tree, Faux Christmas Tree

Big farms. Sticky needles. Scraping of the saw. Ever so green. Fragrant pine. I LOVE everything about a true Christmas tree trek. As you may remember I was in absolute heaven last year...

Well, our "tree trek" this year simply included a trip to Target. (gasp) Yes, we are rockin' a fake tree this year. ..complete with the longest plastic "trunk" ever...and don't forget the box.

We're out of town for several days this year in December, and I just couldn't ask my neighbors to come water a real tree every day that we're gone. So, "faux" be it :-)

I was grieving the Christmas tree farm experience with Judah at first, but it turns out Target is just as fun for a 2 year-old. And he couldn't have been more excited to decorate this beauty.

Oh and he has quite the decorating style. He likes to stick to the same side ;)

When I encouraged him to place some on the other side, he said "No Mommy, they need to stay with their friends." Love him! And "stay with their friends" they did!

My semi-type-A-brain initially thought I'd "fix" it when he went to bed, but I quickly realized that I did not want to get rid of this "preciousness." Not to mention that he would have asked why I moved things around the following morning.

Okay, so I did add a few more ornaments later (without changing any of Judah's creative design) and our little Charlie Brown tree didn't turn out quite so badly after all. We just need a topper that hopefully Judah and I will "craft" soon.

Our little tree has certainly added to our Christmas fun!

Enjoying the Christmas Carousel with Sasha

Sidewalk chalk because it's 70 degrees! Making artificial snow :-)

A little Christmas tree finger-painting with Daddy

We've got the (Christmas) spirit, yes we do; we've got the spirit, how 'bout you?!