Christmas Traditions: Blowing Rock, NC

So, we're beginning to create our own Christmas traditions with family and friends and this one is going to be one of my favorites! We went to Blowing Rock, NC to pick and cut down a Christmas tree with some of our close friends the Passatores and Cheneys. We started with breakfast at Cracker Barrel where Mikey and Kaitlyn had biscuits and pancakes!

Then we drove to the mountains listening to and singing Christmas carols (Daddy loved that part!). We got to the Christmas tree farm where we got to ride on a tractor (I think Kaitlyn's favorite part!) and go pick out our tree. Kaitlyn and Mikey even borrowed a saw from our neighbor to help cut it down (the farm hands thought that was a riot!) The winner was chosen by Kaitlyn and I think is mighty fine if I do say so myself!!

View from the road of miles of Christmas Trees

I'll take this one!

'I got it!'

After the perfect tree was all packed up, we decided to swing over and visit Mast General Store which was originally opened in 1882! We stocked up on candy from the penny candy barrels! There was a special visitor there too taking a little break from his Christmas work..... Santa! Kaitlyn and Mikey weren't too sure about saying hello since their last visit didn't go too well. The workers at the store had some awesome crafts for Kaitlyn to try like coloring and also helped her make an ornament for our new tree! By the time she finished that, she decided she wanted to give Santa a 'high-five' and she yelled 'Bye!!!' (He also gave her a FULL SIZE candy cane which she figured out how to get into in about 3.2 seconds...... Thanks, Santa.)

Mikey decided Santa was ok as long as he was getting food

Kaitlyn was NOT into Santa, but WAS into the crafts!!

Making a cool ornament

Santa a safe distance rocking in the background!

Deciding that Santa's not so bad after all and he gets a high five

Kaitlyn's picture hanging for all to see at the Store!

And the finished product:

Visit to See Santa

Not so much..........

The best part is that Kaitlyn has seen these pictures and she's decided that she wants to go back to see Santa now. She's been huging and kissing the laptop when she sees the pictures of Santa and saying 'Ho! Ho! Ho!' I'm really debating taking her back or not because I think these will still be my favorite for this year!! 

 

Fort Mill Christmas Parade

Mom, Kaitlyn and Mikey were in the Fort Mill Christmas Parade this year with the Mom's Club. Kaitlyn was so funny- she really got into it yelling 'Merry Christmas' (or what was her version of it!!) along with the other  kids. She also had her first candy cane-- what a delicious, STICKY mess! :)

THANKSGIVING!!!!

-Here are some moments from our Thanksgiving weekend this year:

Kaitlyn made a Tur-Key at school!

Turkey Bum

I know it's hard to believe, but he had thirds

Having some dessert

Day after leftover plate

Decorating!

'It's called a Christmas Tree!'

Mikey's first Meatball-- Had to be Grandma's of course!

Kaitlyn and Kevin doing some shopping at the outlets