Final Christmas pics.....maybe.....

Here were some from Christmas day...........The good thing about visiting Orlando, is how well we are fed...........They are all excellent cooks and keep the yummy treats flowing.......Even if it means spending most of the time in the kitchen!!

And then we stayed for several more days enjoying all of the cool toys that the cousins have !!

I know we all will cherish these memories forever and having families now, it's always a challenge to get together. We talked about the last time the hubby and his sister were together at the holidays and we think it was 7 years ago............That is a long time! Anyway, I thought I did a better job at picture taking but am hoping my MIL will mail me some of hers.........She's the expert and will have a lot more group shots.....We had many blessings this season and the kids may not remember them when they are older, but I know we always will......

Santa here we come............................

Not even freezing temperatures and awful rain could keep us away.............Friday was our Phipps Santa appointment day and as some of you locals know, NOTHING is gonna mess with that!!

So off we went, umbrellas and all.....................What a special tradition......It is the season for traditions, right? Well my coworker and I have been taking the kids to see Santa at Phipps since they were born!! Other than the first picture, I seem to have atleast one child crying in every one.............But isn't that what these are for??? Oh well, it was a truly wonderful day spent with a very dear friend..........and our crazy kids!!



Now Big Papa was a bit unsure how to get the carefully laid candy cane from the top of the wooden airplane without that man in the beard seeing him.........He decided that the candy cane was simply not worth the chance!!

Then the nice lady asked me if I wanted him IN the picture with his sister and Santa........Well, excuse me, but isn't that why I pounced online at the crack of dawn to secure a very coveted appointment spot? YES PUT HIM IN HIS LAP, TEARS AND ALL!!!! So, that of course will be what our picture looks like when we receive them................

Unlike my friend who's son smiled as if Santa had already given him that special present!!



Now, listen little brother, trust me on this one, you HAVE to sit in his lap.........

Want to bet....................

Anyway, after a typical Santa visit, it was time for hot chocolate.........YUMMY!
And who cares if it is dribbled down the front of our outfits, WE ARE DONE WITH THE PICSS!




Now, I will have to reluctantly admit that my special little girl here actually ordered herself a Chai Tea Latte instead of the kids hot chocolate but come on, what's the big deal, right! They are really yummy........I can't believer her daddy started her on that habit.......hee hee hee

Time for some Pink Pig........ 3 times to be exact..........3 times around in that COLD little tent, but ride we did............3 times...........





AAAHHHHHHHH the joys of Christmas......................

A little family tradition.....................

So, Thanksgiving weekend always includes lots of extra calories, In-State football rivalries, and a trip to the Big Lots parking lot for a very special Christmas Tree.........

Now, this years tree might have had some pretty big shoes to fill, but traditions ARE traditions. Last years tree was approximately 12feet tall (although they swore it was 10feet) and an unbelievable girth (not unlike my belly after thanksgiving dinner), this years tree needed to be a bit smaller!! We went from 24foot ceilings to approximately 8!! And a living room that was a tiny bit smaller................ok, pretty much like a closet!! However, us Williamsons are making the most out of it and a Tree was a MUST!!

So we loaded the kids and headed to HOME DEPOT..........What????.............I thought I said Big Lots?? Well, I did but that visit was later............First, we needed to get us some Icicle lights. Decided we needed some new traditions to add to our old ones...........New house, New lights!

Many pennies (and actually 3 trips) later we had all the necessary items for displaying quite a fancy light display! We had to keep up with the Porters (our new neighbors)..............

So then it was tree time. And although it was way past lunch and nap time, and against the urging of the hubby, we headed to Big Lots for our traditional photo op..........And photo op we got!!





Now, due to these tough economic times, we actually ended up taking the kids home, putting them to sleep and I snuck back to Home Depot to save $15 dollars on a tree .............. Yes, I know, but $15 dollars is actually 3 trips to Starbucks.........And I do love me some Starbucks :)

So we got a lovely tree, kept with our traditions and spent a great day welcoming in my favorite Season of the year...................
Although the picture does NOT do it justice, here is a sneak at the hubby's amazing work!!

Puts a smile on my face every time I come home and I love to listen to my little monkeys tell me how OUR lights are the BEST!!

And speaking of monkeys.............My little ones did an excellent job helping me put up our tree.....



Sometimes it just wears me out counting all my many blessings.................

Blessings and Traditions WITH PICS!!

So, Thanksgiving Day we headed to the mountains.........Stone Mountain, that is!!


It was a very sunny day but a little on the chilly side!! So, once we got into the park, we timed it perfectly for a little story by Mrs. Clause.........................

She was beautiful and totally captivating............................

And we even got bonus hugs...................very special memories!!

Chasing kids, holding coats, sipping hot chocolate and many other things added to Grandma Shary taking most of the pictures so as soon as I get those, I will add to our collection. It was truly a special way to get us all into the Christmas spirit!!