Train Ride

Last weekend we went on our annual Christmas train ride.  This is my most favorite holiday tradition and even with a touch of a snowstorm we could not be stopped!

 On our way!

 Komos!

 Our girls are getting so big!

 The boys!

 My Mom and Dad!

 Some of my favorite ladies!

 My girls.

 The crew waiting to see Santa!

 Nana and Papa and the kids!

 The Popp Crew

The Komo Crew

 Komos

 SANTA!

 I love everyone in this picture!

 Oliver's favorite part, the reindeer!

 I was so happy that Claire still wanted to get her face painted!

 My baby girls.  This is their 8th train ride together!  I can still see them in their little boots and big Christmas bows!

 The Grinch!

 Boytime!

 The Grinch!

 One last picture on the sleigh!

 Time for Theo's!!!!!

 Table for two.

 Time to order our usual salads and fried chicken.

 The boys had their own table!

Cousin love!!!!!

It was another successful year on the train ride!  I can't believe that we have been doing this for 9 years!  I love having everyone together enjoying the holidays!

Festival Of Lights

Friday night we went on our annual visit to the Festival Of Lights. Oliver said that this is his favorite holiday tradition and I love to hear that!  This is one of my favorites because we usually go just the four of us and it is very laid back.  We do a lot of talking while we walk around and check out all of the stuff and I love the time together during this crazy time of year!

Me and my guy waiting in the line to see Santa!

Our annual "waiting in ling to see Santa" selfie.  This always take like 45 minutes to an  hour but I have to say that it is one of my favorite parts.  This is where we chat away.  We talk about school, work, friends, past holidays, etc.  We always get a little silly and we always have fun while we wait.

My 7th grade love.  She is such a great girl and she still wants to spend some time with us and I will take what I can get!

Goofballs

SANTA!

My favorite people (Santa included).

 I love that they still have fun with me!

 Sometimes even I get in the picture!

 Of course Oliver made a hockey snowman!

 The Christmas Tree Village!  They changed things up a bit but it was still really pretty!

Somehow stopping at Mighty Taco on the way home has become a family tradition!  We are usually a Moe's family but for some reason we go here every year after the festival.  We always sit at the same table and have some of the best conversations ever. This year we discussed OJ Simpson and the trial lol.  

I absolutely love this time of year but it can get really busy and really crazy!  I love the Festival Of Lights because as much as I love the hustle and bustle and all of the visiting with family and friends, it is really nice to just grab my favorites and spend the evening together!

Decorating Day

Today is one of my favorite days of the year...DECORATING DAY!!! We usually wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate but with hockey we won’t have time!

Claire is so much help that I have no idea how I will ever do this without her!!! She really helps me set up, fluff, and decorate all three of our trees!!

Oliver helps but he kind of comes and goes!

But we all love putting the ornaments on the family room tree because that is all of the kids ornaments that I get them each year. We love to reminisce and tell stories about each one!

Yesterday I had my annual shopping day with the girls. We went a bit later than usual but we still had a blast.

We always have so much fun! It is one of my favorite holiday traditions !!!

November Stuff

So I am trying so hard to keep with blogging but it is definitely getting away from me.  So here is some November stuff!

 Oliver obviously had some hockey!

And when I take him to early games or practices we always stop for a delicious breakfast with some delicious hot chocolate!

 Oliver  was elected class representative for student council this year.  So he got to be a part of the Veterans Day assembly.  Here he ready to  sign all of the veterans in.

Then he got to go to the breakfast after the assembly!

 Then winter came early this year and brought along freezing temperatures and this happened.

Then this happened.  Not the best way to start the day!

Then I found this picture and I got so sad!  I remember this day like it was yesterday!!!!!

 When the kids were little Mark used to take them to Doodlebugs every morning and every morning I would wave to them as they pulled out of the driveway.  Now that Claire is in middle school, she leaves before me and I get to wave to her every day again!!!!!  It's not the best picture but she still waves to me every morning!!!

I have to be better about taking pictures so I can blog more!