Nashville Trip!

Our friends Alison and Brandon invited us to take a quick overnight trip to Nashville with them to see Ice!  We had a wonderful time and the kids thought it was so fun going on a trip with their pal Adi! 

Waiting to get into Ice

The beautiful coats we wore in the 9 degree temperatures! 

Poor Ben was a big miserable in his get up

The Haights!

Posing in front of the the ice sculptures (very pretty!)

Olivia going down the ice slide!

Poor Ben (again).  When he got to the end of the slide he was a the kid from A Christmas Story... and he wasn't liking it.  (and yes his wonderful mother took a picture of him)

A kind stranger came to his rescue (again while I was taking pictures).  In my defense there was a wall between me and him.

Madagascar characters in Ice!

My wonderful friend, Alison

Nativity set at the end, so pretty!

Nate teaching Olivia how to play skee ball at Dave and Busters 

Seeing Shrek at the Opryland hotel... couldn't get a picture with him, that cost money, but could take pictures of him. The kids were really ok with only getting this close :)

Our attempt to at least get Olivia in the picture....

"excuse me maam' we can't let you take pictures of your kids with the characters"  oops...

Ben after a long day with no nap

While we were in Nashville we had to go to Antique Archaeology (American Picker's shop).  We were very disappointed when we read a sign the Mike Wolfe (the star of the show) would be in the shop on Friday for a meet and greet.   Maybe next time!

Christmas with the Rich Family

We spent the afternoon of Christmas day with Nathan's family.  Olivia and Mati have such a great time playing together, and Ben and Bryson have become pretty good pals also. There is never a dull moment when we are all together! I'm so blessed to have such wonderful in laws! 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning is so much fun! I don't know if the kids get more excited, or if I do.  Seriously, I was up before anyone today... just laying in bed wondering when the kids would wake up.  They slept in until 6:30 this morning which is rare! Santa brought Ben a train table and Olivia a Rapunzel doll.  After we opened presents we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and blew out a candle.  Thank your God for giving us the best gift of all! Your Son, Jesus! It was a great Christmas morning! 

New Rich Christmas Traditions

Since the kids are getting older we decided this year we should start a couple of traditions.  While visiting Santa in Wayne City several weeks ago, he gave Olivia a small bag of food for his reindeer.  So on Christmas Eve we went outside and spread it over the yard so they could be sure and have a healthy snack at our house.  These reindeer work really hard on this night so they need their energy! The kids thought this was so fun!!

Another tradition we stared was to bake Jesus and birthday cake. We really taught them this year about the true meaning of Christmas. Yes we do Santa, and they kids have a blast with that (so do I) but our kids will always know that Santa and gifts are not what Christmas is really about. They helped decorate the cake so it turned out quite lovely, but they had a good time making a huge mess!  

Christmas with The Garrison's

Christmas Eve we had my mom and her husband, Bob, over to our house.  Along with Landon and Erin! The kids love the fact that we have 4 Christmas celebrations!  We had a wonderful time! Thanks for coming to our house this year! Ben got a new drum set (thanks Uncle Landon and Aunt Erin) We'll put this aside when he out grows it and be sure to pass it down to your little one someday! haha

Mom opening her gift certificate for an in home massage! 

Bob trying to figure out what his gift is! 

Olivia and Ben putting up their new keepsake ornaments from Grandma and Grandpa Garrison.  Ben got Tow Mater and Olivia got Rapunzel. They loved them!