All Aboard the Polar Express!

This is by far our best Christmas season yet. I am seeing daily the magic of this holiday through the eyes of a four year old and it is awe-inspiring and filled with wonder. We just took a much anticipated trip to Bryson City to board the Polar Express for the North Pole. To say that Blan was excited is the understatement of the year. He didn't even mind the car ride to the far western part of NC. In fact, he kept us entertained during the long drive with his puzzling Christmas riddles, such as "When you need sumpin', then you get sumpin'. If you ask for it, then you might get it. Santa rides in it and he brings the toys in it. Can you guess what it is?" He had us in stitches for the better part of the drive. If you've never been to Bryson City, it is a charming little town that comes alive at Christmas. There is a large model train museum there that is pretty impressive and, of course, there is the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.

We browsed around enjoying the museum. Blan donned his pajamas and we waited outside patiently in the cold mountain mist to board our passenger car. Blan was a bit disappointed when he realized that the Polar Express was misrepresented by a diesel engine and wasn't an actual steam engine. But, he quickly got over it once we were on board. We were served hot chocolate and chocolate covered Santas as we read together the story and sang Christmas carols and watched the lights of the "North Pole" go by. The highlight was Santa boarding the train. My child has a good, healthy fear of the big man, but we had taken the time to write out a letter to Santa and nothing, not even a possible nightmare spurred by his close proximity, was going to keep Blan from giving him that letter with his wish list. We even got a picture, albeit a blurry one, of them with their arms around each other! Santa autographed Blan's copy of The Polar Express and then went on his merry way. It was truly magical and an experience I know we will all remember.

"Could that be Santa boarding???"

Blan watched intently as Santa made his way to our seats.

Merry, Merry Christmas!!!!!

No more pictures, please.

Tis the season for Momma and her camera. I would be embarrassed to tell you how many pictures I took tonight trying to get just the right one for the Christmas card. I'm happy to say I think I got it. Finally. Poor Blan will be ready if ever he decides to date a celebrity. The paparazzi ain't got nothin' on me.

Visions of Sugar Plums Danced in His Head

There is little that is sweeter...

Oh Christmas Tree...

Aaron, Blan and I took a road trip with Grammie and Pop up the mountain to West Jefferson to choose and cut our Christmas tree - a very big deal (I hear some of you snickering at me now). As most of you know, I am notoriously Christmas tree obsessed. Every year Rick and Jackie go choose their tree and cut it fresh. We have always wanted to go, but we haven't seen the sense in driving a tree an hour down the mountain and 2 hours down I-40 to Raleigh. I must tell you the trip did not let me down - 1 big, gorgeous tree, 2 large wreaths, 105 feet of fresh white pine garland, 2 cups of hot, homemade cider on a blissfully cold and Christmasy day. It doesn't get much better. Thanks for the ride, Grammie and Pop! A new tradition begins.

One little, two little, three little indians....

We were treated to a thoroughly entertaining Thanksgiving program at St. John's Preschool today. The indians did not disappoint. It is so hard to believe this will be our last preschool program with Blan. How quickly he has grown. I am so thankful for the time God has given me to share unforgettable moments like these.

Even Papa Tom got to come to the performance.

Both Grammie and Mimi were there, too!

Parker and Blan...

Falling into Fall.

Blan and Daddy spent some time in the leaves on this wonderful fall day

- a perfect photo op for this Momma.

Another Thomas Halloween

Yes, Thomas ...again. We are certainly getting our money's worth out of this costume! We had a very big day - first to school for the Halloween party and parade....

...then to Mimi's work where Mimi was nowhere to be found. But, there was a pretty scary witch who insisted on having her picture made with Blan...

...then Uncle Josh stopped by before the evening festivities began....

...then to church where Poppie was working the Fall Festival fishing booth...

...then to Papa Tom's house before trick-or-treating...

...then

finally trick-or-treating the new neighborhood with Momma, Daddy and Grammie.

Meeting up with our neighbor, Fred.

The busiest and best Halloween yet!

The Great Pumpkin

A wonderful day for pumpkin picking!

Daddy and Blan create a super surprised jack-o-lantern.

"Thank you, God, for all this rain!"

We are all thankful for this rain, but Blan was incredibly grateful to God this morning as he donned his raincoat and boots to head off to school.

Scaring more than crows....

We had our first official neighborhood gathering this weekend - the annual scarecrow making party! The hosts provided the hay and the stakes and everyone brought their own scarecrow stuff. It was quite a hoot. While Blan had no idea who our scarecrow was supposed to be, he found her pretty scary. Poor thing, she didn't win the scarecrow contest - apparently, no one really wanted to vote for her. Go figure.

There was also a bonfire, marshmallow and hot dog roasting, and mingling with our new neighbors on Summit Avenue. It was a ball!

Possible running mate???

Tweetsie, Part II

Blan's reward for his outstanding job as ring bearer was a much requested return trip to Tweetsie. For months, he has woken up several mornings a week asking, "Can we go to Tweetsie today?" So, we bribed him: Quiet ring bearer = Tweetsie.

We stayed all day Saturday and he hung in there until the end.

Find some gold for momma, son.

A tired, tired train lover.

Thomas Returns!

Blan and I decided to head to Spencer to see Thomas on Friday. It wasn't a planned trip, but the weather was ideal so we made the 35 minute drive and it turned out to be a full day with little crowds and lots of laughs. We had a great Mommy and Blan day topped off with a funnel cake treat!

Deal's Apple Orchard

We had our first field trip of the year to the apple orchard last week. It was a beautiful fall day - perfect for a hayride, sunflower maze and a picnic lunch. Blan is enjoying his new school friends and I'm enjoying the new friends I'm making, as well.

Blan and his new best pal, Parker.

Leo, Parker and Blan.

Uncle Josh Gets Married!!!

My baby brother and Steele were married September 29th. What an amazing weekend! The weather was incredible, the bride was gorgeous and the party was fabulous! We all had a ball! I am happy to report that the ring bearer, Blan, surprised us all with a flawless performance. He was an absolute angel. Whew!!!!!! The bribery worked!

I am sorry to say, however, that I neglected to take many pictures. I was a little preoccupied with keeping us all together and dressed! Here are a few I managed to get.

Congratulations, Uncle Josh and Aunt Steele!

Thank you for letting us be a part of your big day!

We love you!!!

St. John's bound!

Our big boy started 4 day preschool the day after Labor Day. He is at a new school this fall, St. John's, and loves it! I am so thankful for the loving, forgiving, smart, unbelievably imaginative little boy he is, yet I miss the chunky, cuddly, cooing baby he was. Where does the time go? On our hard days (and Lord knows they're really not that hard) I get frustrated and long for those baby days. Then I begin thinking about the future and homework, insane schedules, girls and peer pressure and I realize these are the good days, the easy days. Today I can protect him and teach him and watch him. "Hold onto today," I tell myself, "for tomorrow will come too quickly."