Seeing Santa Clause

It seems we visit Santa earlier and earlier! Especially when a spot with him at the very popular Atlanta photographer is harder and harder to get! ☺️

We took the kiddos to visit him in mid November, carefully choosing our coordinating outfits and writing our (long, detailed) lists for Santa. We decided that Maryn could choose this year to see him or not, and she settled on standing beside him as long as he wouldn’t touch her at all. She really wants a Barbie dream camper and needed to tell him so. (Side note, Mama and Daddy need a bigger garage to accommodate all these riding toys that he brings!)

Before our appointment we spent some time in the winter wonderland. The kids decorated cookies, played in the sleigh, warmed by the fire, and enjoyed all the other kids.  They wrote some additional notes for Santa, then mailed all their letters.

Finally the time came to talk to him and take the pics. JB went first, as he was the most eager to talk to him. Maryn went next, and thought she tried her best she broke down pretty quickly. (Santa was so sweet and respectful to keep his distance, and she really put on a brave face! Just wasn’t the year for bonding between the two of them.) Oh, and Wesley lost his mind!

After the pics, JB got to talk to him some more. Santa also came over and hugged Gia, who must have seemed stressed with all of the crying from her grand babies. Now, we don’t know if he’s the real Santa or just Santa’s helper, but he sure is a sweet one!

Once the kiddos settled down (which was within 3 seconds, they just put on quite the show!), they played in the “snow” and got super dirty.

Hoping for some great Santa pictures this year! Even if they don’t turn out, the memories we have from a magical morning are totally worth it.

Happy Birthday, Addison!

I think we’ve finally stopped calling her “Baby Addison” and now call her “Cousin Addison”, because this little girl is now 3 years old! It’s so much fun to watch all of year cousins grow up together, and now they just play and play and play when they’re together.

We headed up to Atlanta for the party at Hippo Hop, where all the kids could jump and run (or, what Wesley preferred to do, push a cart all around the place). What a great place to play!

After lots of jumping the kids enjoyed some pizza and bright pink cupcakes. Wesley really enjoyed that icing!  More playtime, more jumping, and then we headed back to their house to open presents. 

We love you, little girl! So happy you’re three!

Lots of Fall Festivities

It is finally feeling like Fall around here!  Finally dropped below 80 degrees!  It's hard to drink pumpkin spice and wear orange corduroys when it's so stinking hot.

It's been a busy Fall, but - then again - it always is.  Beyond the first big fall holiday (Halloween!) we did lots of other fun things around town and with friends and family.

First, JB ran his first race!  He and I participated in the 1 Mile Monster Dash rush one morning, which was a blast (especially in costume!)

Let me tell you: JB has no idea how to pace a run.  He darted across the starting line, full blown sprint, and kept running like that the entire time.  I had to run so fast to keep up with him.  When I mentioned "pacing", he said, "that's not even a real word!" Obviously not, in JB's vocabulary.  :)

We ran so quickly that I won my age division!  Now, there were only a few women in my age group running, but still.  I felt very proud.  And JB said he technically crossed before me so he actually won the medal.

We had a couple of cuties watching us run. They scattered during the costume contest, though!  (Maryn still has a really hard time with costumes.)

Our neighbor - who Wesley adores (even in costume)

It's worth noting that one day in this dry, hot October when it did rain (before the monsoon of Halloween night!). It warranted some fun outside in our rain boots. 

Maryn and Wesley had a fun fest at their school this month, where people could wear costumes (non-scary ones, so Maryn was okay) and play games.  Oh, and collect candy - because Lord knows we're running short around here!!  Maryn mixed it up from actual Halloween (but kept it all in the Frozen family) by dressing as Elsa instead of Anna.  

Our church also hosted a trunk or treat, and the big kids had a blast running around (in the full sun, 90 degrees, what the heck October...)

Our family from Florida came up for a visit!  Only a quick, 36 hour trip, but we made the most of it. The kids absolutely adore their Aunt Kim, Uncle Andy, and Cousin Katelyn.  They asked if they could come back next weekend :)

Before they hit the road, they got suckered into carving pumpkins with the kiddos. 

Can I just complain for a hot second? Those pumpkins lasted 3 days before they grew so much mold and then COLLAPSED on the porch.  Made me so mad....

However, even when moldy, it made for a cute backdrop for some pumpkin photos. We didn't make it to the patch as a family this year, but our front porch sure did look nice and orange!

James, JB and Maryn went up to Atlanta one weekend (leaving me and little Wesley alone for some 1:1 bonding!), and JB got to carve pumpkins with his BFF. This is our old neighborhood's annual carving, and I'm so glad they still got to participate.

The boys also went to JB's first ever NFL game.  Can I just say how excited JB was?  And had been ever since we told him on his birthday??   I don't know what was more exciting - a game with his daddy, or the MARTA ride there.

Although there is only so much afternoon football one can take before this happens.  (I feel ya, JB!)

I'm sure I'm missing some other Fall adventures from the month. Such a busy time!  But always a lot of fun, especially with these three.  :)