The Big Day is Finally Here!

The celebration started on Christmas Eve. With Ava in a Christmas dress, pretty hair bow and lots of beads, she and Mommy delivered boxes of truffles to our neighbors and friends.

After Mass, we hung the stockings and set cookies and milk by the fireplace with a note for Santa. The countdown began! After scattering reindeer food on the lawn we tracked Santa on the web. Seeing him in South America gave us incentive to get to bed so we'd be fast asleep when he arrived.

Sometime between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., Santa and his reindeer arrived! When we woke up this morning the tree was lit and surrounded by presents and a HUGE dollhouse filled with furniture.

Santa was so good to us all. Ava received books, puzzles, games, a box of play dress-up clothes, a nice pair of shoes and her dollhouse. Mommy is set to relax with pj's, socks and undies, a book by John Maxell and an Obama shirt and pin. Daddy got a new Titans hat, a book about wrasslin' and an old school video system with Galaga, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man and more.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and do our best to remember the REASON for the celebration. We are so thankful for the friends, family and all the blessings that continue to grace our lives. May your New Year be filled with peace, hope, love and prosperity.

Happy Holidays!

Santa Visits Knoxville

On Sunday, Santa took a break from his duties at the North Pole to visit the children at Knoxville's West Town Mall giving them an opportunity to tell him what they'd like for Christmas.

Ava took the star treatment prior to her visit - hot bath, hair blown dry, and a dab of makeup on a little pimple (?) on her cheek. She dressed in her holiday best and stood in line anxiously awaiting the chance to sit with Santa.

As we approached his chair, she looked at the ground and twirled a bow on her dress. But when he asked her name, she looked up and loudly proclaimed, "AVA!" I knew we'd get a smile from her for the photo.

Her picture was taken and Santa asked what she'd like. She told him, "A present!" and then told him that we had lots of presents under our tree and that the presents were for him....he smiled, gave Ava a gingerbread man cookie and we wished him a Merry Christmas.

We wish YOU a Merry Christmas as well!

All Aboard - Ava meets Santa on the Polar Express!

On Saturday afternoon we took a road trip to Bryson City, NC to board a train headed for the North Pole!


It was all Ava could talk about for days - and boy did it deliver! The quaint city housed the railroad station, shops, bakeries and a train museum. Once the locomotive was moving, Ava's gold ticket was punched by the conductor and we settled in for our ride to the North Pole.


Waiters dressed as chefs sang and danced before serving Hot Chocolate and Russell Stover candies. With bellies full, we listened to the story of 'The Polar Express' before reaching the North Pole.

As we approached Santa's hometown, the car lights were dimmed so we could better enjoy the lights on Santa's house and that of the elves. Santa was aboard his sleigh, waving as we approached, and came aboard our car to greet us and gave each child a bell from his sleigh.


Ava told Santa she'd like a present and he told her that he had one picked out for her. She clapped and smiled! When he left we began singing carols and sang until we arrived back at the station.

What a trip! Ava's bell is hung on the tree and she is anxious to see if Christmas morning delivers the same joy of the trip on the train. I imagine she won't be disappointed.

Halloween

Although it's been a couple of weeks since one of THE best holidays of the year, I've managed to get pictures uploaded! With a crown, glittering dress and 'glass' slippers, our little princess went door to door for nearly two blocks filling up on candy. She insisted on wearing her fancy shoes the whole way and managed to do so without falling. At three, she is already putting fashion before comfort...

'Secret City' Train Excursion

The air is crisp, the leaves are changing and Tennessee's football game is not televised, so it was a perfect day for a trip to the 'Secret City' (Oak Ridge) for a ride on the train.


Ava enjoyed the train's whistle as long as she was far enough away to not have to cover her ears.


Jason enjoyed the bumper crop of trailers nestled in the mountains with aluminum foil covering the windows.


And me, well, I just enjoyed the company. I'm still really worn out from my recent bout of bronchitis and have wanted to be in bed when I am not at work or cooking or baking.


So feeling the sun on my skin, watching the countryside as we rumbled slowly by, eating popcorn with Ava; it was the perfect way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon.

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Three is the Magic Number

The celebration began on Tuesday morning with Jason and I belting out a hearty rendition of "Happy Birthday to YOU!" and Ava opening three presents: two books and a big canister of Play-Doh with accessories.


At 2:00, I took a cake, cupcakes and cookies to Ava's school. She was proud of her Abby Cadabby cake but embarrassed by all of the attention. She hid behind my leg most of the time...

The big party was in Gatlinburg this weekend with our families. We rented a chalet with this view of the Smokies...
Jason's parents, my parents, my sister and my brother's son joined us for the celebration. We had a Cookie Monster cake with of course, cookies and tons of good food from both of the moms.





















Along with the good company and food, Ava enjoyed opening too many presents and thanks to help from her cousin, CJ, she was able to get through them all.




















Relaxation was the theme of the weekend and in between time in the hot tub, on the deck, and playing games, we took a few family pictures on the deck as dusk was setting in.