A Christmas Train Ride

All aboard!

Back in Knoxville, we happened to be downtown and see this train leaving the station. I looked it up online and we immediately jumped on buying tickets. I remember seeing the Three Rivers Rambler before and had even saved a link about its Christmas train ride before but every holiday season, it just slipped my mind with everything else to do.

We went with my mom, grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousin and we all had an awesome time.

He was super excited!

Scarlett was enjoying her (not so) hot chocolate.

It is not enough to ride on a train but he had to play with a train on the train.

It a was beautiful ride through downtown and some of the countryside.

There was even some snow fall (they produced it but it still made the overall experience more magical).

There was a special visitor who hopped on board at one point.

That evening we all piled in my dads van to go to a drive thru lights display in the mountains. Both of the kids loved getting out of their seats and seeing  the lights.

The next day he asked to go on the train again and when I said not today, he told me, "In two weeks". Mom has already decided to take Miller on their other seasonal ones this year. Between all of these events, we checked off a lot of things on our Christmas bucket list.

Fantasy of Trees 2014

This is one of my favorite days of the year. I think the only one that I have missed was the first one when I was just under a year old.

Scarlett got in bed with me for an hour that morning but I was able to sneak out and get ready. I think it is so cute to see this tiny little girl in a big bed. 

Miller was so excited to see Santa this year. We have been practicing for months for Miller to say he wants a kitchen from Santa. A few weeks ago he tacked on a dollhouse, which is not happening. Right before we saw Santa, he saw a firetruck, the same one he already has, and added that to his list.

I love Scarlett's face. She is looking at Miller like, "how are you okay with this?"

We of course decorated cookies.

The last few years we could not get Miller to get his facepainted but he had no problem with it this year. He got a snowman on one side and a tattoo on the other.

We wanted to get Scarlett a red nose but she thought we were feeding her something.

My cousins Mitchell got a new buddy with this outing. I kept thinking he was going to get sore having to bend down to hold Miller's hand.

It is a miracle, all 5 of us smiling and looking at the same time. Mitchell and Ally joined us on the carousel.

Scarlett squealed and giggled the whole time. She was not this excited when we rode the carousel at Disney World just a couple of months ago.

We lost her.

There is a reason that you should not wait until the end to try to get a family picture. Oh well!

Thanksgiving 2014

We were lucky this Thanksgiving that we got to spend so much time with all three of our families. I forgot my camera on actual Thanksgiving day but it was just a low key Thanksgiving at my dad and stepmoms house.

The next day, after Fantasy of Trees and a movie for Ben's birthdays, we went out to eat with my mom's family. We figured that it was just easier to skip all the preparations and just go out to eat.

Last year Ben's birthday was on Thanksgiving so this year he got it during another one of our Thanksgivings.

This kids had a great time with their cousins so that Mommy could enjoy that time too.

The next day we drove a half an hour up the road to meet with Ben's family for lunch. It just happens that everyone was going to be in the area so we organized a meal so we could be together. It was not much time but better than nothing.

These three cousins have so much fun together. It is sad that they do not get to spend much time together.

Grandmommy and Grandaddy with all four of their grandkids.

The original six.

Everyone but Dave (Excuse the funky lighting. I tried and tried but could not get it to my liking so I gave up).

After lunch, we all walked over to Bass Pro Shop next door to look around. We found a few things to entertain Miller.

It was such a busy weekend but we are so glad we got to see so much of our family.

Trick or Treating Recap

(Yes, I know that I am so behind)

I love Halloween and this has been my favorite year in a long time. I am so excited that Miller is finally getting into these things. I am really looking forward to Christmas. Miller is already asking to watch Christmas movies and telling me all about how Santa brings presents down the chimney. I hope everyone else has had a great Halloween season like we have.