North Pole Experience

We just got back from Greer and had such a great weekend with all the Whytes.  The North Pole Experience was too much fun.  All the cousins had a blast and I hope we can continue going up there each year as a family tradition.  The kids were so stoked to visit Santa's workshop.  Everything about it was magical and their excitement is contagious.  I think I took over 300 photos over the weekend but I'll just share a few of my faves.

Me and angel baby. He was such a good sport all weekend.

All the cousins.

The whole crew

Story and coloring time with Mrs. Claus.

Singing songs with elves, eating cookies, and drinking hot chocolate.  What could be better?

Greer

We arrived in Greer with the entire Whyte clan and it's been so much fun.  The cousins are all playing together and we have a perfect cozy cabin in the woods.  The snow has been falling and it's nice and cold.  Perfect weather to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.  We've been watching movies, drinking hot chocolate, playing in the snow, and opening up some early Christmas presents.  Next up is North Pole Experience.  We can't wait!

Spaghetti anyone?

"Is this for ME?"

So stoked about a NERF gun.

The girls in their princess snuggies and baby dolls.

Little snow baby.

Plotting out how to make their snow fort.

Christmas program

The girls had their preschool program today and we were so excited to hear them sing the songs they've been practicing for a few weeks.  They were dressed as sheep and it was pretty stinkin' cute.  One of the mothers in their classroom made each sheep hat by gluing on cotton balls to little beanies and then gluing on ears.  I am so thankful for women like that, who have time and creativity on their side.  That is not my forte.  I just bought her 5 bags of cotton balls and told her to call me if she needed help.  Anyhoo, the program was adorable and we had Dad, Mimi, Papa, Gammie, Auntie Cece, Auntie Jess, & Grandma Shirley there to support us.  What a great way to finish out the first half of the school year!

Our precious little lambs

Auntie Cece with Keira & Ryder boy.

Waving to mom & dad as they walked in.  By the way, I had the hardest time telling them apart when their heads were covered up.  Usually I can tell no problem but those sheep hats were throwing me off.

Swan party

There's a small lake by our house and it attracts various birds that fly south for the winter.  Today we drove by and you would think we don't get out much because the girls were SO excited about the white birds surrounding the lake.  I think they were cranes but I'm no ornithologist.  They were all around the lake and perched up in the trees.  It really was a cool sight to see because they seem to be everywhere.

Reese thought they were swans and she yells out, "Look at all the swans!  I think they're having a party..... I want to go to the swan party!"

And then she and Ryan proceeded to discuss the details of the swan party for a few minutes as we drove down the road.

Picture Day

I just got their school photos back today.  They are so cute.

I can't believe how grown up they look and how sweet their little smiles are.

Pajama party

The girls had pajama day at school today.  It was so adorable to see all the kiddos in their PJs.  They watched Polar Express, had a book exchange, popped popcorn, and ate cookies with milk.  We brought the cookies and of course, they were a hit with everyone.  Nothing better than homemade chocolate chip cookies.  They had so much fun and came home with some awesome Christmas crafts.

Ryan's ornament

Reese's ornament

I love this one.

Gingerbread man only made it home with one eye.

Reindeer pockets that held all their homemade goodies.  I love the hands as antlers.

Our front door.

Kahtee

Look where Kahtee landed this morning.

I love that sneaky little elf.  We are having so much fun finding him each morning.

So proud

Ryder is so proud of his new trick.  He stands up and then puts his arms up to show us how big he is.  He's pretty close to taking his first step, probably in the next few weeks. 

Look at me guys!

How big is Ryder?  SO big!!

Not sure if he's ready to reach out for daddy's hand.

A quick recap

I'm working on Ryder's birthday invitation and it's been so much fun going through all our photos of the past year.  Check out photos of this awesome little man!

Life BC (before children)

I found these photos on our computer the other day.  This is our life before children.  We took lots of photos with our dogs and had many photos of just the two of us together.  It's hard to remember those days but so much fun to look back at these photos and see how much has happened in such a short amount of time.

Maddie as a little puppy.  She was the smallest dog we had ever seen.

Our original babies.

Our one year anniversary and engagement night.

Engaged.

Our housewarming party in February 2006.

Christmas 2005