We went to the mountains this weekend to ride the Polar Express.  We had a great time on the train.  The kids got treats and we all got hot chocolate.  The kids loved singing Christmas carols and Audrey loved seeing Santa.  We also got a chance to spend some time with the other Murray family.  It was a great time.

Audrey got her Preschool pictures back and I love them.  I love seeing pictures taken by others.  The one of her standing is so her personality.  She loves preschool.  She is in the 3 year old room and has made so many good friends already.  She does have a best friend and her name is Maggie.  She is learning some great skills and loves going to Chapel once a week.  Her favorite is when Creature Teacher brings in different animals.  She has learned so many new songs and is learning how to write her letters and numbers.

Before we put up our Christmas tree John took Evan to one of his client's hunting lodges to shoot a BB gun.  They spent about 3 hours shooting and Evan had a lot of fun.  While the boys did boy things, Audrey and I went to the pool for a few hours (but no pictures) and then shopping =)

" Mix the balls with bells and polly, fa la la la la la la la la".......this is how Audrey sings "Deck the Halls". We put up our Christmas tree today.  The kids had so much fun decorating this year.  Audrey was really into it and continues to take ornaments off so she can re-decorate it.

 

Evan's Cub Scout Troop sang Christmas Carols at the retirement home down the street from our house last night.  John took this picture with his phone.  He said he did a really good job and the old folks loved it. 

We surprised the kids with an overnight trip to the Great Wolf Lodge near Charlotte.  We told them we were going shopping and then when we pulled into the parking lot Evan read the sign and they were so excited.  This place was amazing and just the reward we all needed for a long, difficult and challenging year.  The water park was fantastic and the restaurants and game room were a lot of fun.  It definitely earns its 5 star rating for a resort.  There aren't a lot of pictures because believe it or not, I actually joined in the fun!

 

Audrey is super excited to announce the arrival of her latest "babies".  She recieved a set of twin American Girl dolls from Grammy for her birthday along with a kickin double stroller.  She has named them John and Ally.  She is in Heaven with these things.  She loves their hair and that she can comb it.  She got an outfit for each of them and we are going to take her to pick out a pair of pajamas for each one because she loves to put all her babies to bed at night and they have to have pajamas.  What a great little mommy she is.  Except when she sticks them in her play oven.

We had a great Thanksgiving with our family.  The food was wonderful and it was great to just hang out and chat with everyone.  The kids had so much fun running around and playing with their cousins.  Audrey really took a liking to baby Jacob (my sister and brother in law's grandson).   But when I asked her if she wanted a baby brother she said "no way".  Good to know.

We're off to see the Wizard......................We took the kids to their first big theater show today.  What a great time we had.  Great seats in a beautiful theater that is a big part of Greensboro's history.  The kids did great, even with the show lasting 2 1/2 hours.  We had wonderful seats and the characters came out into the audience many times and Audrey loved waving at Dorothy (who she calls Lucy for some reason and Lucy even waved back a couple of times on her way past us).  After we had a fun family dinner.  What a great way to spend a Sunday.  Definitely a big memory created today ... for all of us.