Christmas Eve in pictures...we're ready for ya, Santa!

110 with Rachael and Ben: Santa Claus is Coming To Town

Boy. the energy is high around here. The excitement is almost palpable. The anticipation of Santa is so thick you can cut it with a knife. Nana arrived in town on Wednesday and since then, it's been on. Holiday preparations are in full-swing: shopping, wrapping, baking, eating, cooking, you name it.

We didn't manage of picture of today's stay-home day, but, we did manage a trip to the park -- no jackets required. Nana finished her wrapping. We spent Saturday finalizing our last-minute shopping and Nana had special one-on-two time with Ben and Rachael while Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a movie date with friends -- thanks, Nana! The weekend concluded with the Flotilla on the lake -- lots of fun with friends and the warmer outside temp made it enjoyable.

Stay tuned for pictures from our Christmas celebrations....

110 with Rachael and Ben: Daddy's birthday

This weekend was a bit different. For our 'stay home day', I was away spending some time with my grandmother, mom, aunt & uncle. My grandmother, at 93 years young, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. She has lived a life that most people dream of...a beautiful family, a wonderful home, a church community of 60+ years, a noble career, world travels, friends, near and far -- young and old. The only thing she wishes for is for more time with her husband, who passed away 25 years ago.

Mike, once again, stepped up to the plate and held down the fort while I went to be with my family. {How did I get so lucky to marry a man like this? I ask myself this every. day.}

Upon my return home, we kicked off celebrating daddy's birthday with some birthday donuts! I took both kids to dance (Ben was so happy to watch his sister in her lesson) and then to Christmas pageant rehearsal. Rachael was signed up to be in the pageant, but, Ben, in his always-ready-to-be-like sister way, jumped in and joined the action. In their first roles, Rachael was a Dalmation dog and Ben was a bumble bee....two animals that I'm sure were not present in that manger, but, nonetheless, the two had a good time being a part of this big tradition at our church. Ben enjoyed it just a bit more than Rachael, I think...he's our ham...she's got a bit of stage fright. Mike and I were thrilled to cap off his birthday with a date night to a great New Orleans eatery in downtown....yumm-o.

We capped off a very busy weekend with a girls' viewing of Disney on Ice. We went with a couple of friends and their moms....it was so much fun. What a nice night to be with Rachael...special treat to have some girl time with my favorite little girl.

110 with Rachael and Ben: Preparing...

With the season of Advent upon us, we are in a mode of preparing. Preparing for the celebration of Jesus' birth. Preparing for the arrival of Santa. Preparing for a special holiday time where family and friends gather to be together and to spend time.
So, today was about preparing and these two were my helpers. We made a deal: park first, shopping at Target second. We joined our sweet neighbor friends at the park for a beautiful morning walk -- 65 degrees....at Christmas time! This is why we love where we live. :)
After running out our energy at the park, we headed for Super Target. These two hopped in the cart and off we went. I piled things on top of them, beside them, next to them, under them. Most importantly, while we were there, we purchased clothing and gifts for the children we selected off of the Angel Tree at church. Mike and I are committed to teaching the kids about giving to others and this is the best way that I know how to start doing that.

110 with Rachael and Ben: Thankful

During this weekend of Thanksgiving...I am full of things to be thankful for! We celebrated the holiday with Mimi and Papa coming for a visit. There were pies, cake, a tasty turkey and all the trimmings. There was football-watching, walk-taking, Black Friday shopping, leaf-blowing and movie watching.
Papa and Mike went to a Hurricanes game. Mimi and I took the kids to see Frosty The Snowman musical.
Papa and Mike built a train table for Ben. Mimi and I took the kids on an adventure walk on Thanksgiving day....which was followed by a 2.5 hour nap from both of them -- hallelujah!
Here are some photos: