Sylva Christmas Parade 2011

The Sylva Christmas Parade. Nothing quite like it. Only in this town can you see Santa, the dancing Sonic hot dog, a reenactment of the Civil War and witness a standing ovation to a soldier riding in an tank with a machine gun pointed at the crowd. Wow. And poor Tyler missed all of it because he was on a play date with a friend. Carson and Ella looked, well, confused most of the parade. It was fun to see, but I am glad it is only once a year.

We Got Our Skate On!

Tyler has been begging to go roller skating for years. The last time (8 1/2) years ago I went skating I broke my wrist. The last time Tommy went roller skating with me (8 years ago), he broke his elbow. So naturally, neither one of us were chomping at the bit to take Tyler. Then we got a birthday party invite for a skating party...

Tyler at first was like a baby dear on ice, but after about an hour of holding my hand and the carpeted wall...he started to get it.

By the third hour he was making laps without falling at all.

We entered a limbo contest and during one game that started out with over 70 people (you skated to music and when the music stopped you stood under a number on the floor and one of the employees rolled a dice, if it landed on your number you were out) and ended with only me and Tyler on the floor. Tyler won! One the way up to the snack counter to claim his prize he wondered outloud if it would be a trophy. He was just as happy with a free small rasberry slushie.

As we were leaving Tyler said it was the best party he has ever been to. I had a great time also skating for hours. I left with renewed confidence and blisters!

Lights and Luminaries 2011

Only when I am blogging about an annual event that I feel like I just blogged about, does it really feel like life is flying by. Tonight we went to the Lights and Luminaries in Dillsboro. If you missed the blog last year, it is a night where the town and stores line the streets with lit paper bags and everyone walks around and shops stay open late and hand out samples of goodies. Kettle corn is sold on the streets, caroling takes place, every store is handing out cider or hot chocolate and horse carriages stroll people through the streets. Oh, and Santa is set up on the corner for those wanting to wait over an hour (that would be us). Sounds like something out of a old time movie? Well, it feels like that also. It is wonderful and we all love it. Tonight we hit Santa and rode in the horse carriage through the streets waving like fools at all the locals and tourists while drinking hot chocolate. We pulled Ella and Carson in our wagon and visited some stores before buying cinnamon kettle corn and heading home at 9:00pm.

The streets of Dillsboro- 100's of tea candles in white paper bags.

Carson had a fit over "Darth Vader". The officer with the red "light saber" was a really good sport and even let him pose holding it for a picture.

Group Santa shot.

Carson letting Santa know what he wanted for Christmas.

Tyler giving his list.

Ella wanted to unwrap the presents under tree.

Thanksgiving Break In Nashville 2011

Nothing helps relieve the aches and pains of travel like Grandma having prepared Turkey cookies to decorate. We arrived in Nashville on Friday evening and did not rest until we got into the car this morning. After eating a great dinner and visiting we woke early to go see ICE- at Opryland Hotel event center. Thousand of pounds of ice were waiting for us carved into the theme characters from Madagascar. After dressing in giant Arctic blue coats (to prepare us for the 9 degree rooms)we watched about a five minute introductory video explaining how the ice was made and hand carved by artists. After we explored room after room of ice- walls, sculptures, full nativity scenes, and the boys favorite...an ice slide. Ella stayed in her stroller bundled in her coat and under her 7 pound blanket, and very happy to remain there.

Tyler, Carson, Tommy and I took a few turns down the slide- which dumped you pretty hard on carpet. For a kid not big deal, but add some age and weight...ouch. The kids had a blast. It was amazing to see the detail that went into every carving.

After Tommy's parents took us to lunch at Logans. We are constantly reminded every time eating out how much we miss good restaurants. While we love where we live, local dining is not exactly highlight feature.

After we left we met up with one of Tommy's best childhood friends and his family for yogurt. The kids all got to meet each other for the first time since they were too young to remember. Then we hustled back for Carson to get to ride with his Grandpa on the lawnmower to collect leafs (probably one of Carson's highlights of the visit).

Add in lots of walks, playing with their dog Rosie and a pizza night and that sums up the trip. The kids were exhausted as we got back in the car and it took about 3 miles before Carson and Ella were snoring.

Tommy's parents are coming to our house for Christmas so we will have to plan a few fun things to do to return the favor!

Thanksgiving In Oak Ridge 2011

I was a little anxious about this Thanksgiving, being the first year in my life that has not included my grandmother (or been at my grandmother's house- I did not know if the day would feel incomplete or sad. I was so relieved how wonderful and the day turned out. Different, but very special. We left North Carolina on Thursday morning, almost canceling our trip last minute because we thought Tyler was getting sick. Turns out, it was just excitement. How excited can a six year old get to see his cousins that he almost gets physically ill? Well, leave it to Tyler.

My sister was the hostess this Thanksgiving and the set up was over the top. I cannot even start to name all of the food and desserts...so I took a picture just to give a glimpse. After stuffing ourselves and then re stuffing ourselves, we spent the rest of the day just hanging out and laughing. Tyler was in heaven getting to play hours of nonstop XBox with his cousin Dawson. Ella could not have been more content getting to push around her cousin Sophia's kitty in a stroller (yes, this cat allowed Ella to stroll her around the house lap after lap). And Carson was into every toy and every room of the house exploring.

We arrived at around 10:30am and did not leave until after 9:00pm. The next day we went back to my sister's house for more dining and playing...plus I had to check on my niece Sophia who sort of got her tooth knocked out while we were wrestling. Whoops.

We drove to Nashville afterwards to visit with Tommy's parents but passed back through today on our while home to meet for lunch and yogurt. Happy Thanksgiving 2011!!!!!

G-Ma's November Visit

Had another wonderful visit with G-Ma this weekend. We were able go down to the Pottery Festival in downtown Dillsboro and look around for a little while on Saturday and visit some shops. The kids got to read tons of books with her and hear several bed time stories. All of them loved getting in bed with her in the mornings this weekend (Ella especially...who got to sleep with her at 3 am last night).

We went hiking this morning at Deep Creek in Bryson City and had a picnic by the water before she had to head home. I love weekends when she comes to see us.