I hope you had a really blessed Thanksgiving and enjoyed some time with family, friends and food. We’ve had quite the November! My husband’s birthday is the 2nd, and he is now lucky enough to share the day with a new nephew: James Hanley.
I came upstairs to put Xander to bed and found him like this. I think no matter how old my kids get, I’ll always love watching them sleep.
The kids wanted to wear these coordinating shirts. I’ll take it while I can get it.
I made a bunch of Christmas kid’s shirts for a craft fair a few years back, and these were two that I had left. It’s fun to see the kids in them, knowing that when I had created them Xander was just a baby and Milly wasn’t even a thought.
This last week we traveled down to Branson, MO with my in-laws. It’s starting to become somewhat of an annual tradition to go as a group (my husband’s parents, his sisters and all of our kids) and stay at Big Cedar. This go around we stayed at The Cliffs at Long Creek and let me just say – wow. We usually stay in private cabins at Big Cedar’s main grounds which are always nice, cozy, and clean, but this was more modern and had tons of space for us to spread out. It felt like you were staying in someone’s home.
We did a lot of resting…
and relaxing. (These little cousins are 2 days apart, and I love seeing them grow together.)
and plenty of eating.
We did venture out for some shopping, the Christmas version of Dixie Stampede and the coldest day of the week at Silver Dollar City.
Poor Milly. This is what happens when you have an older brother: you get to wear all of his cold weather hand-me-downs and be called a boy. Doesn’t she look so comfortable?
Milly would rather look at the audience than what’s happening on stage. Signs of a performer?
Silver Dollar City is a great place to go as a family. It’s extremely clean (I didn’t feel the need to soak my kids in Purell after a trip to the restroom) and wholesome – this activity, however, somewhat questionable. The majority of workers are retired, older people who couldn’t be more friendly and helpful.
We even got to see Santa there. And he was a pretty realistic looking one. Milly was not about to sit on that stranger’s lap (especially a man with a beard) so Santa glanced at Micah and said “take a seat.” My husband is really a kid at heart. While he looked hesitant, I could see a little excitement in his eyes. Don’t we all kind of wish the guy was real?
It is quite a magical little place in the middle of the country. It’s been quite the whirlwind the last few weeks between trips ( I’m still not over this one), Thanksgiving dinners, birthdays and some projects I look forward to sharing soon, but I’m steaming ahead to Christmas and hope to get some shopping and decorating done in the next few days.
Last year I did almost all of my shopping on Cyber Monday. And I have to admit, I really loved it. I’ll be sharing some of my favorite websites for deals over on my Facbook page this afternoon. Is anyone else planning to make a dent in their list today?
Julia Konya says
Love all the photos and your husband on Santa's lap is priceless!
Bethany DeVore says
love their coordinating shirts, so cute!
Autumn Beach says
We visited Table Rock Lake every summer when I was a kid, so I have a special place in my heart for Branson. Oh, how I love that place. And taking the kids every October has become a tradition for us, too, these past few years! Silver Dollar City and Dixie Stampede are on the agenda every year. It never gets old for me. 🙂 And as for Christmas shopping, I have completed none at this point. Ack! Need to get on the ball.
themakerista@gmail.com says
You've still got plenty of time, lady. 🙂
House of Pemberley says
Love love love everything about this post. What a wonderful holiday!!!
(Eileen) a creative day says
This looks magical! Such an amazing holiday 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Eileen! I appreciate you reading, and I hope you had a lovely holiday as well!