my favorite time of year

I was laughing this morning when I thought back to when I started this blog.  I wrote a post every single night when there was pretty much nothing going on except naps and running errands to Target.  Now life is busy, the kids are growing up so quickly and I have tons to write about...and I never post!

So....another post with about 3 weeks of activity crammed in.

The Mayor had a book report at school earlier in November.  The students had to dress up like their favorite book character and do a short book report describing the main characters, setting, and what happens in the beginning, middle and end of the book.  His favorite book is The Lorax.  Thankfully, Pottery Barn Kids decided to sell a Lorax costume this year and since the report was in November, the costume was ridiculously marked down.  I spent less on the professionally made costume then had I bought materials and tried to make my own.  Whew.  And bonus...he looked absolutely adorable.

The kids both had off the entire week of Thanksgiving and since it was our year to be in South Georgia, we decided to go for the entire week.  I think I was more excited than the kids to go see MeMe and Big Daddy and just get away.  The thought of having an entire week without getting up to make lunches and be at the bus stop by 6:50 in the morning was a dream for me.  

The week was amazing and went by too quickly.  It was great being with family and having a week with no agenda.  We spent time in Valdosta shopping and hanging out and lots of time playing outside in MeMe and Big Daddy's big backyard.  We built bonfires, roasted marshmallows and laughed while watching the cousins play.  We really are so blessed to only be 4 hours away and playing like no time has passed when we are finally all together. 

roasting marshmallows

tried to get some pictures for the Christmas card...these are some of my favorite outtakes

just love them...they are so sweet and crack each other up

this is so my life

sweet Love Bug and Big Daddy

the grandkids with Big Daddy

cousins

MeMe and Big Daddy

Aunt Nat and Love Bug

happiness...Love Bug fell asleep while cuddling with D

We actually celebrated Thanksgiving on Wednesday.  Since we were leaving first thing Friday morning and Aunt Nat and Uncle Tom needed to see his family on Thursday, we thought it would be best to spend all day Wednesday together so no one felt rushed on Thursday.  The food was amazing and of course we all ate too much.  It was everything Thanksgiving was supposed to be.  

Thursday we lounged around the house, did laundry and started packing up for the trip back home.  It was sad to leave but thankfully we will see them all soon for Christmas.  

We arrived home around lunch time on Friday and after eating lunch and unpacking, we went to PopPop's house to see him and our cousins!

The Mayor and Bennett...they adore each other

Saturday we ventured up to the Christmas Tree Farm with Meega's family and PopPop and picked our tree.  It was so cold.  But the kids had a great time being together, riding the tractor around the property, roasting marshmallows at the fire and picking our gorgeous tree.  After we picked our tree we all went to lunch and then home to decorate.  Our tree ended up being sort of a disaster...long story cut super short...after 2 plus hours trying to get the tree to stay in the stand straight (which we use this tree farm's stand and they drill a hole in the trunk of the tree so it literally takes 3 seconds to pop the tree in and it is straight), using plastic shims under the trunk to keep it level and waking up to the water bowl still completely full (which meant the tree wasn't taking in water), I took the tree back to the farm and got a new one.  The guy who owned the farm was amazing and apologetic.  So Sunday after getting the new tree in the stand (this time only taking 3 1/2 seconds) we got the house decorated.  It is finally Christmas in this house!  

The Mayor and Walker

warming up by the fire

on the tractor

Buddy our elf arrived and the kids love having him back from the North Pole.  I really wish that elf would visit year round...the kids are acting like angels.  The Mayor came home on purple today from school!! First time ever!  He was so proud and the first thing out of his mouth was "we need to get home so I can tell Buddy I got on purple".  Seriously thinking about writing Santa a letter requesting Buddy move in permanently.  

We are getting back into our routine.  It has rained all week and rain is forecasted through Monday.  Ugh.  This month is crazy busy with fun activities, which is good because there are lots of opportunities to make great memories, but it is also bad because it just means the month is going to fly by.  This time of year is just my absolute favorite...I want it to slow down.