Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas 2010, part deux!

my sister, mystee, and her hubby, dean, came to town from
georgia the day after Christmas. so my side of the family
celebrated together at our house that evening, the 26th.
we had dinner and dessert, singing, and gifts. fun night!










Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas 2010

we started Christmas by spending the night at jim and sandi's.
something matthew and i used to do every year before having kids.
but this year, some family would only be there Christmas eve,
and some only Christmas day, so we had to be there for both!
thanks to my darling nephew, jacobus, for introducing miller to icees...

miller and i with my niece kalea. her parents don't want photos of
her on the web, so this is as much as you'll ever see of her-
but i promise, she's beautiful!!

dreaming of Christmas morning....


so excited!!!







glamorous and generous hostess


Monday, December 20, 2010

the north pole experience in greer, az

we had such a magical experience!! there was no snow, but
everything else was so amazing- we started with
hot chocolate at the lodge, followed by a delicious buffet.
then we boarded our trolley, which goes through a
magical portal to the north pole (after some magic words).
seriously, the place is so beautifully decked out-
there's a toy museum and a big compass that spins
(showing that you're really at the north pole),
and santa's original work station (before the expansion!).
then we entered the main workshop to find some
delightful elves waiting to show us around.


the kids all got to help make some toys, and then had a HUGE war
with the elves using these nerf-like shooter things. so fun!



i love how excited he looks in this picture!


of course, the elves loved miller!


time for cookies and cider at santa's bakery.
they sang some carols, too.
i could hear toby scream-singing from 2 rooms away!

some of the beautiful details in the workshop.....but pictures can't
capture the warmth and incredible smell going on- it truly smells like
all the most fabulous parts of Christmas!!


writing letters to santa IN santa's OFFICE- complete with keys
to different sleds and rooms, full bookshelves, and pictures
of him and mrs. claus out fishing during the off-season!!


back to the lodge for storytime with mrs. claus
miller's gloves are just a little big....