Christmas Week

I can't believe it is almost Christmas! I am slowly but surely marking things off my to-do list. We have had a fun filled week so far, and it really is just beginning. Here is a little rundown of what we've accomplished so far.

We finally sent out our family Christmas cards.  This year I was so on top of the game, we took pictures on the last warm day of the year and ordered them from Simply to Impress on Cyber Monday.  They had the BEST choices.  I always felt so limited with Shutterfly and those other sites, definitely check out Simply to Impress next year.  

Every year, I love receiving Christmas cards.  I always hang them on a garland on our banister with clothes pins.  It is such a fun way to display them.  Fiona also love looking at all her friends. 

Fiona had her Christmas dance recital this past weekend.  We were SO proud! I wasn't sure how she would do.  She can be very shy, especially in front of a bunch of strangers, but she rallied and did a great job.  They danced to The Hippopotamus Song, and I could barely keep the tears in! She informed us as we were driving to the show, that she was going to leap during the dance (there wasn't supposed to be a leap).  She did the leap and I almost busted out laughing.    

We have made cookies and currently I am watching my favorite Christmas Movie, White Christmas. 

 Two more days until Christmas! I hope you have all finished your Christmas to-do lists! 

Also... Happy 3 Months to our sweet Evie Girl! 

Merry almost Christmas! 

New Hope Valley Christmas Train

We took a trip on the New Hope Valley Railroad this past weekend and it was the absolute cutest Harry Potteresque steam engine I've ever seen! It is a 1920's restored steam engine that pulls a open air passenger cars and little red caboose. 

We also happened to pre-order tickets for the coldest day we have had so far this winter! But we didn't let that stop us! We bundled up and piled onto the train and enjoyed Fiona's first Choo Choo ride, (along with a little flask to keep the adults toasty). 

Fiona thought the whole trip was great (minus the run in the Santa)! I will say it was a step up from her last Santa visit, but just barely! She basically pretended he didn't exist when he plopped himself right across from her. She did manage to squeak out she wanted a guitar for Christmas. Baby steps!

I think I lucked out and had the warmest seat in the house holding baby Evie. 

Fiona loved hearing the noises coming from the engine, we even quoted some lines from one of our favorite books, The Little Engine that Could.  

All in all, it was magical and we are definitely added it to our Christmas to-do list every year! 

And now I am off to try and find some of the presents I've hidden around the house! Here's hoping I don't pull a Clarke W. Griswald and find one hiding in my closet come May! 

Our weekend...and more

Scott and I have tried our darnedest to not rush things with Fiona, but this year has been so special watching her get excited about Santa and all things Christmas, we just can't help it!!

We started the Elf on the Shelf this year.  It was absolutely adorable to see how excited she was when we told her that Santa had brought her donuts and her elf, which she named Elf.  It hasn't really phased her with the whole "Santa can see you throw this temper tantrum," but Hey! there's always next year....

We have already completed a couple items off of our Christmas bucket list.  This past weekend the girls and I joined my parents up in the mountains to pick out the good ol' Bartow family Christmas tree.  I think this is the prettiest one yet! 

We still have a couple more fun items to complete before the big day! 

We have tickets to ride the Triangle Train next weekend.  The train is an open air steam engine.  It looks straight out of a Harry Potter book!  I am so excited about this.  Fiona is in love with trains.  We have actually tried to ride a train with Fiona 2 times and we have been thwarted by the weather 2 times!! I'm feeling good vibes that the third times the charm. 

We still have to see Santa, make Christmas cookies, take a ride to look at Christmas lights and let's not forget squeeze in a couple Christmas vacation marathons! 

So excited the Christmas season is finally here!! 

Halloween 2016!

Fiona had a blast trick or treating, and Evie enjoyed being all snuggled up with Mama that she slept the whole time.

I made the rookie mistake of the year and forgot the memory card for our big camera so we just had our phones. 

Fiona went through wanting to be alllll of the Disney princesses for Halloween before she settled on Elmo.  I didn't think I could attempt to make a home made Elmo this year with a newborn so I hit up trusty Amazon for her costume. I was slightly nervous getting Elmo because she was so wishy washy over her choice. As soon as she saw her costume, there was no looking back. 

Last week we went to the trunk or treat at our church.  It was a beautiful day and I'm so glad we went because Scott got to see her trick or treat. He had to work at the station Halloween so he missed the real trick or treating. 

Halloween night, the girls and I stopped by the station to trick or treat with the firemen, then made our way to my parents house.

Fiona had a blast trick or treating and by the end of the night she was finally saying trick or treat loud enough to hear! 

Hopefully next year Scott won't be on shift and we can do a family theme! Now time to pack away my one Halloween decor I put out this year, and get ready for Thanksgiving!

Opening Day on the River

A couple of weeks ago, we all trekked up to the Mountain house for a fun family get away.  Scott and my dad took Fiona fishing for the first time that weekend.  She loved holding her fishing pole and throwing rocks into the river, she was not in love with the big fish she caught. 

She caught her limit of 7 trout, but would only take a picture with them if Daddy was holding them. 

We even managed a little Kayaking while we were up there! 

Mother's Day and Savannah

We spent this past weekend down in Savannah, GA for the regional dance competition.  The three of us went and it was heaven! The number of full weekends we get are so few, that I couldn't wait to spend the whole weekend with Scott and Fi.  

Friday evening we walked around historic downtown Savannah, visited a fire station, and got caught in one of the rainiest storms I've ever seen! Fi was not too happy about getting soaked to the bone, good thing she won't remember that! But once we got back to the hotel, we all got into our pajamas and snuggled down into the bed to warm up.

Saturday, we spent most of the day at the competition, Fi played with the other brothers and sisters and had worn herself out so much she didn't even make it out of the parking lot before she fell asleep.  

Sunday, we went to our favorite brunch spot on the river walk of Savannah.  The restaurant is named Huey's and its amazing! If you are ever in Savannah over the weekend, make sure you stop in there for their brunch. It won't disappoint! We spent the rest of the morning strolling around Savannah, then sadly made our way home.  

We finished our great weekend with dinner with the grandparents at our house.  Scott grilled out and made the dinner, I didn't even have to lift a finger!! Even though it was my second mother's day, it really felt like my first official one.  Last year, poor Scott and Fi were sick with the bug on Mother's Day, so I took care of two sick babies.

To all of those wonderful mothers out there, I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your day, and were able to spend some time with your wonderful families!