It's beginning to look a lot like christmas...

We busted out the Christmas decorations this weekend, since hubby was home and looking for some kind of project . I consider getting the boxes out of the attic a major project, you have to climb up a tall ladder and crawl around on insulation and try not to fall through the ceiling.

We do an artificial tree, we have pets and a kid, regular house plants are a chore who can be bothered to taking care of tree that drops needles and has to be watered? Not I.

Last year we made life even easier by buying a pre lit tree. No more hassling with the tangled strands of lights, its 5 minutes to set up, love it!

This is the first year that the little one has shown much interest which has made it more fun for us grown ups. She had a great time helping to decorate the tree.

Figuring out how to make the pooh bear ornament talk by pushing the button on it.

Playing with some of the decorations.

There were several ornaments that she had a hard time giving up to put on the tree. After a little convincing we managed to get all of them on the tree except for one a wooden rocking horse that she has really enjoyed playing with.

We will start doing the Elf on the Shelf tomorrow, which I am excited about. I have mentally figured out already at least 10 good spot to sit him where the little one can't reach him but can still see him. I may regret starting it this far away from Christmas but we can always start later next year. It will only be 24 consecutive days of reading it...

I hope you all had a great turkey day, I unfortunately didn't realize that my camera battery was dead so I didn't get a single photos which means no turkey day blog post! We had a yummy meal with the inlaws, where I ate way too many desserts. It was nice not to have to cook the big meal this year, I do however have to post a pic of the wonderful turkey dress that my very talented sister made for the little one!

It was absolutely precious on and we got many compliments. Thank you sister!

A Quick Update....

Just a quick update, while I have a few minutes to spare. The little one is down for the count with a cold that started on Saturday, so it was unfortunately a snot filled weekend! The little one was at least feeling well enough to play outside for a little while. Hubby made a wonderful little door for her playhouse that matches the style of our front door. 

It is really cute and the little one loves to open and close it and invite you to come in.

 He also put together a child size picnic table, which we have already had tea party and snacks at several times already. 

 Last week we went and checked out a new park in N. Charleston. It is right on the river and has a beautiful view. The little one enjoyed the playground as it a more modern one than we normally go to.

Here she is spinning wildly in a personal size tea cup?

 Climbing high!

 Here she is checking out some sculpture. They had several really neat pieces there.

 The two headed donkey was her favorite. I think she was thinking to hell with this little fence I want to ride on it!

I have to agree it would have been pretty cool to sit on!

This park has a beautiful walking path that runs right along the river and over some of the marsh grass.

Next time, I think we will pack a picnic lunch so we can stay longer and enjoy the boats going by.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

:)

Family Fun! (and I really mean it!)

We had an action packed few days here over the last weekend. My whole family came to town for a visit, it had been almost a year and a half since we were all in same the same place.  So we crammed a few short days full of activities. Our first stop was the fair where we all overindulged on fair food and fun.

The little one enjoyed her first taste of cotton candy. At first she was a little unsure what to do with it but once she realized it was such yummy and sticky goodness she wolfed it down!

Daddy rode on the train ride with her. She loved when it sped up slightly going around the corners of the track.

The merry go round is always a favorite!

I chose the swings for my ride. You can just make me out in the picture,

I'm the one laughing like a crazy person!

After the rides we decided it would be fun to try some games...

We all took a whack at it but came up short!

The little one fared better at the kids games and came home with a dolphin and a light saber, I brought home a caramel candy apple. YUM!
After all of the fair excitement, we awoke the next morning and got started on our pumpkin carving. I had arranged for several friends to stop by to judge our contest.

Here are my sisters working very hard. Look at the concentration on those faces!

During the carving, we had to stop for an impromptu first haircut for the little one. Unfortunately while playing with the cat's mouse toy she somehow managed to get her hair wrapped around his little wheels. Ouch! A few strands clipped and she was free with out much evidence of her hair being cut, whew! 

We worked up an appetite carving so we went to lunch at one of our favorite places - Taco Boy! They have the best food and margarita's. The waitress was kind enough to share some leftover tattoos from their raging Halloween party the night before. Here is Auntie and the little one showing them off. 5 days later the tattoo is still looking as good as when we put it on. Thinking I may need to get some baby oil to get it off, before the preschool thinks I've had her tattooed! 

Our next stop was to visit the Angel Oak. If you are ever in the area it is something to see. It is a beautiful live oak tree that is thought to be approx. 1500 years old.

Here the little one admires it's enormity.

We look teeny compared to the tree as we walk under the canopy.

It is a great place to take pictures too, as sister and brother in law demonstrate below.

After all of that excitement it was almost time for Halloween fun!

The little one shows off her costume.

Here we are all dress in our snazzy Halloween shirts! ;)

My mom brought this festive bread from a bakery near where they live.

They also do bunnies for Easter.

My sister brought these adorable cups named Pick Your Nose cups, which we had a great time trying out. No one had the heart to tell the little one her nose was on upside down.

After dinner we went to a few neighbors houses to trick or trick, the little one was exhausted by this time so it was a quick trip around our block. Here our all of pumpkins lit up. Don't they look festive?

And the winner was...(drum roll please)... Ms South Carolina! Here she is showing off her prize pumpkin trophy! We are all so proud!

It was great to have the family here. Hopefully it won't be so long before our next action packed time together! :)