Lights of Lakeland

Last night after a yummy dinner with Noni and Zampie, we headed to the Lights of Lakeland. A local church puts on quite the Christmas display with more than half a million lights and a complete town of Bethlehem. We had no idea it would be so amazing. We will definitely visiting this every year. They had all the Christmas characters, the Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty, even Buddy the Elf. They had a General Store where kids could pick out a present for someone and have it wrapped, lots of lights and amazing displays. Best of all it was free, even the milk and cookies.

Avery wrote a letter to Santa and put it in his mailbox in front of his house.
Then we went inside to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Avery loved it but Paige was a little unsure. She wouldn't sit on his lap but as we were leaving she yelled, "I want a bike!" haha
Sitting in Santa's sleigh

The entrance to Bethlehem. As you walked through it explained the whole Christmas story to you. It really was like going back in time and walking through Bethlehem. Very well done. They even had live animals, goats, sheep, donkeys and two camels!

Avery pet Mary and Joseph's donkey.

Joy to the World.....

The children's Christmas program at our church was the past Sunday. Avery had a speaking part and memorized her lines rather quickly. She spoke very clearly into the microphone and did a great job. Then they sang a few carols. Nothing makes you smile more than young children singing on stage. They are all so cute! Paige didn't really sing but enjoyed waving to us from the stage.

In case you have trouble finding her, Avery is in the middle with the necklace on. She wanted to wear it for her musical debut.
Avery and Paige posing for a picture with Avery's boyfriend, Jake.

Christmas Parade

The Lakeland Christmas Parade is a huge event in downtown every year in the first week of December. I've avoided it in the past because the crowd is large and it's not really fun with a baby. Now that the girls are a little older I thought we'd give it a try. My friend works downtown and set chairs out for us at 7am so we could have a good view. This will definitely be a yearly occurance from now on. It was very well done and a great way to start off the Christmas season. The girls were in awe of the well decorated floats. This one was a human snow globe with Cinderella and Prince Charming.

The girls enjoying thier candy canes while watching the parade. Sticky fun.
They waved excitedly to every float and high school band that came by.

Oh Christmas Tree....

We let the girls almost completely decorate the tree on their own this year. It's so fun to see their excitement grow year after year. I think they did a pretty good job!

Thanksgiving with the Harringtons

This year for Thanksgiving we were invited to my friend, Nicole's house. It was the first year she cooked on her own and we were happy to join in on the fun. We intiated them into the grilled turkey club and showed them how to make the most delicious turkey ever. I don't think they will ever cook one in the oven again. Avery totally enjoyed the parade this year - she clapped and jumped evertime a new float came on the screen. Her excitement was fun to watch. We have so many things to be thankful for - including the meal of turkey, ham, sweet potato cassarole, apple pumpkin stuffing, pie, etc. Of course my picky eater Avery only ate cranberry sauce and rolls.

Adam and Paige ready for the good stuff - Paige loved it all!
Nicole, her husband Dirk and Dirk's mom