Christmas Parade

We have not been to our Christmas parade in two years.  In '09  Mills was 4 months old, and last year, it was rainy and cold.  So, needless to say, this was Mills' first Christmas parade.

Tonight the weather was perfect.  It was cold enough for hats and coats, but not freezing.  We were unsure as to how Mills would react to being so close to the lights and sirens.  Our predictions were wrong.  He LOVED them and every thing else.  I think he was in awe of all of the people, lights, and noise that was going on.

We always meet all of the Beasleys on the square, and this year was no different. Uncle Keith's truck served as a stadium for Mills to get the perfect view, and stay out of the street. 

You can't tell here, but he was jumping up and down with excitement screaming "cheeeeeese!"

Mills and the girls

Giving Dee Kisses

Kayson and Mills pose for a quick picture

Mills could see the firetrucks coming. 

We saw Thomas the train

Mr. Chad with Lane and Bo in his super awesome cart!

Munford Methodist (and I wish I would have had a better picture) had an awesome float with a puppet show. 

Wow!  This float by Garland Baptist was beautiful too.

Waving at the parade participants

Here comes Santa Claus!

We ended the night with a trip to Mama and Daddy B's house for hot chocolate and snacks.  It is a yearly tradition, and we didn't want to miss out.  Mills is not yet "wild" about warm drinks, so he declined the hot chocolate and settled for popcorn.

Dickens Christmas on the Square

Today, I saw first hand, what a small town can do, when it's spirit is revived.  Wow!...is all I have to say.  We have been hearing of our "first" annual Dickens Christmas on the Square for several months now.  I have been looking forward to it, but had no idea that it would have such a blast.

Our square has been revamped over the last few years.  It is gorgeous!  Today's/Tonight's event was nothing but complimentary to the beautiful streets of downtown.  

It was a very cold day.  Mills and I arrived this afternoon, post nap just in time to catch the "Punch and Judy" puppet show.  It was just like old times, and Mills loved it.  There, we also learned the story behind the Christmas tree. 

As we strolled the streets, carolers, horse drawn carriage rides, and characters from a "Christmas Carol" were making the scene just perfect!   Shop owners and other spectators also dressed the part.

Our next stop was the Chamber of Commerce where Ms. Kyle read "Twas the Night Before Christmas."  Mills was tired by this point, and did not sit for the whole thing, but I still enjoyed every minute of it.
We rushed home to dive in to some chicken and dumplings (thanks Emily Cook!) that a friend of mine had posted on her blog, and they were fantastic.

Tonight, our choir was scheduled to sing at the Dickens Christmas at 6:00.  So, after bundling up and getting myself fed, I left Mills and E at home to hurry back to the big event.  It was way too cold for Mills to be out and about, and I knew that there was no way he would stand and watch mama sing.  The streets were even more beautiful at night.  Carolers still singing and lights galore.  I cannot tell you how perfect it was.  As we walked across the square, candles and choir books in hand, I was looking around at how everything looked just like something out of a movie.  I was glad to be a part of the festivities tonight, and cannot wait until next year. 

Great job to those who worked so hard to make our first Dickens Christmas on the Square a huge success.  I can only imagine what it will be like in the years to come.  It couldn't have been more amazing!

A few ladies from our church were dressed out full Dickens style

Adorable stockings adorned the light posts.  Every time we would see one, Mills would say, "Sock!"

This sweet girl and boy were nice enough to stop for a picture.  The little boy was actually selling old fashioned copies of The Covington Leader for 5 cents.

We ran into Jilly, Aunt Ginger, and Mama B.

Mills is checking out Ms. Kyle's large collection of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" books

Ms. Kyle after her book reading.

Christmas City

After our candy creating afternoon, we headed out to Christmas City.  Actually this was Mills' 100th third time to go this year.  He has been with his daddy a few times, while I have been busy with choir rehearsals etc. etc. etc.  Why would we go again, you ask?  Well, I haven't been this year, and since we were without plans tonight, Mills kept saying, "Wights, Mama!"  So, I knew where he wanted to go.  Why not take him?  It is something that he loves and I can remember begging to go almost every night when I was a child.

If you are reading from out of town, and are wondering what Christmas City is, it is a huge light display set up at a church campground out in the boonies country about 12 or so miles west of our town. It has a gazillion lights, displays the birth of Christ through his crucifixion, and has a lot of cartoon characters for the little ones to enjoy. They have a train ride, concessions, and you can see Santa, as well. We did neither of those, but enjoyed our two-time trip around.

Mills was thrilled to see Manny

Peppermint Bark

Today, we officially started round one of our Christmas "baking." We didn't "bake," but you get my drift. My plan for today, was to make, chocolate-caramel potato chips, peppermint bark, and peanut butter balls. We never got to the peanut butter balls, but will hopefully get them done by the end of the weekend. Mills always wants to help, so I let him dive right in.

Stirring the bark

crushing the peppermint

spreading the goods

adding a little more peppermint

and he's done!

Let it S-N-O-W!

Just as forcasted...we have snow!  And because we hardly ever get snow in November, I had to take a picture of our house decorated for Christmas, with snow falling,  although, it is NOT sticking to any of the pavement.  Sorry school kids.  Maybe the temperature will drop.

Fa la la la la, la la la la!

We have once again decked our halls.  I have been trying to do a little bit at a time this week.  Having a busy two year old, who gets in to everything, makes things a little more difficult, but he is also a lot of help. 
Depite the fact that I had to remind him over and over again, to "be careful" or "don't touch,"  he had a fabulous time helping me decorate the tree this year.  It was so exciting for me to have him help.  He was as gentle as could be, and was so proud of himself.
I was able to stand on the ladder and have him hand me things for the top of the tree, and he also held the strand of lights and fed them to me....something, Joey would never do. (ha!) I always put  my "collectible" ornaments on first so that they do not clash against another placed ornament and get broken, and so, after that, it was on!  He opened the tub and away he went.  Most of the ornamets were placed on the same branch, all along the bottom of the tree, but I just let him do it and moved them when he was not looking.  He was so proud of himself, clapping and throwing his hands in the air, yelling, "Yaaaaay!"  This mom was all smiles.  Look at Mills' creation (wink, wink).....

He's Baa-aaaaack!

I can hear the tune in my head as I type this post...
The Elf on the Shelf is watching you, what you say and what you do.  The Elf on the Shelf is watching you, each and every Christmas!

Our very own Elf on the Shelf, known as Ollie, appeared yesterday morning.  We found him perched on the wrought iron scrolling in the living room. He left his book on our coffee table, as a reminder to Mills of why he had come,and so,we read it.
This morning, we found him sitting atop our mirror with a marker. Ollie had written on the mirror, and Mills got on to him! ha! Mills said, "Came back, mama!" I said, "Yes, he did come back, didn't he?" This elf is off to a wild start. There is no telling what he'll get into next!

To celebrate the return of Ollie, Mills sported his new Elf on the Shelf Pajamas last night.

Thanksgiving Oreo Pumpkin Cheesecake

I think he liked it!  Thanks pinterest!

Diving in!

Laughing hysterically at the mess he has made....

Requesting for "hands." Which means, I want to wash my hands.

Give Thanks!

Wishing you all a...

From our family to yours!

We hope that you are enjoying quality time with the ones you love, giving thanks for the many blessings that God has bestowed upon each and very one of you.  We have so much to be thankful or not only on this day, but each and every day of the year. 

Dear God,

Thank you for this day, and all thy many blessings.  Thank you for friends, family, health, and for providing us with what we are so unworthy of receiving.  Thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for our sins, and for loving us when we are so undeserving.  We thank you for the roof over our heads, the food in our pantry, and clothes to keep us warm, and we ask for forgiveness when we are ungrateful for the many blessings that we have recieved.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Mills (and Mama) with Santa 2012

Mills would sit with Santa, under one condition........

Mama had to sit first.  "Here go, mama!" he said, as he patted the chair beside Santa. That means, Mama, you sit down.  Hey, I'll take a happy picture of the three of us, over a screaming Santa pic any day!

So, that is what we did this morning, before the two of us got our flu shots at the pediatrician.  I thought it would be better to let Mills visit with Santa before the rushing crowds started to pour in, and I am glad that we did.  No waiting!  Besides, Santa need to get a start on Mills' list.  Mills told him that he wanted a "try-cycle."  aka. tricycle. and a "tracker." (tractor).