Polar Express in Bryson City, NC

Last Christmas I made reservations for my family and my parents to go to Bryson City to ride the Polar Express. I kept it a secret from my children for a whole YEAR!!! My parents rented a van from Toyota and then we surprised the children at Daycare on Friday afternoon early. We stopped in Winston Salem to see my grandmother and spent the night. Saturday morning we kept driving to the mountains. It was such a wonderful time. My children had never seen the mountains or stayed in a hotel! James was very excited about the Sleep Inn! We had bought First Class tickets. We got special treats, and Hot chocolate (like in the movie) in ceramic mugs. The waiters danced around, the Polar Express book was read out loud, and Santa came and gave every child a bell. The best part was that all 6 of us wore our pajamas and bath robes!!

Giving Grandma Betty Her presents

We went to Winston Salem the other night to see my grandmother. The children enjoyed giving her their gifts!

NC State Basketball Game

I had the best opportunity the other night to take James to his first basketball game! It was between NC State and Wake Forest! We got the tickets from someone at church and they were great! James was mesmerized at the game. He loved watching them warm up. It was so special to get to spend this time with him!

December Fun

Our Family was chosen to light the first Advent Candle at church this year! James loved doing that! One afternoon, the children and I decorated cookies (well, Emma Lou ate a bunch of icing). The children look so cute in their new Christmas pj's!

Popcorn came back!

The last weekend in November is very special, because our Elf on the Shelf, Popcorn returns! This year he brought them white donuts (a must!) and new Christmas Pajamas!

Mrs. Hanes' Moravian Cookies

A tradition for my family is to give people Mrs. Hanes' Moravian cookies for Christmas. I began visiting her shop when I was a young child. After Thanksgiving this year, my folks, my grandmother, my children, and myself went to show James and Emma Lou her shop!