St Marys White Lighting

Santa comes to St Marys tonight....and lights up downtown!

We waited with excitement for Santa to make his way to where we were waiting.

As he approached, the Christmas lights began to turn on!

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Santa's horse drawn sleigh stopped briefly right in front of us

and Santa reached out to shake Kate's hand....she LOVED it!

We followed Santa down the road for about a block and then hurried on in front of him to meet up with our friends at their apartment overlooking the big tree. All the lights were off in the apartment so that the kids could see everyone/everything better, so that made for a grainy (but still cute!) picture.

Santa has made it to the waterfront!!!!

We went outside on the balcony to watch Santa and Mrs. Claus magically light up the big tree!

Kate, Caroline, Riley, & Gabe

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Our little town......

Later in the night, Cooper made his way up to join us on the balcony, and then Mallory!

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Kate's 1st visit from the Tooth Fairy!

Kate was finally able to take her first two lost teeth to school yesterday to show her class, so last night was the magical night we have been waiting!!! It's Tooth Fairy Time!!!!!

Before getting ready for bed, I told Kate I had a special gift for her for this very special night.

When she opened the bag she was excited to find a new Fairy nightgown! :)

Ready for bed, now it's time to install the magical Fairy door. Obviously the Tooth Fairy can get in with or without this little door, but we though she would love her own special fairy sized door. :) Kate did a great job designing/painting it and was so happy to help her daddy install it too!

Time for the magic...........







Kate was given this little pillow at my baby shower (for Kate) by an old friend whose little boy was in my preschool class years ago. I wish I could find her now to tell her it is finally getting used!

The teeth are waiting for you Tooth Fairy!!!

This morning I snuck into Kate's room with my camera to take a picture before waking her for school. She was pretty sleepy when I woke her up, but immediately excited when she remembered that the Tooth Fairy had come to visit last night!!!

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Look at all those surprises!!!!

Losing your first TWO teeth on the same day must be a really big deal in Fairy Land!

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Notice the teeny tiny letter in the picture below on the left. I attached a blown up version of it on here for you to read. We almost needed a magnifying glass to see the words! Below right is a charm bracelet with Kate's first charm: a tooth with fairy wings!!!

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The Tooth Fairy Letter

Kate also got a whistle because on Little Bear that's what the Tooth Fairy brought, and Kate just knew she would get one too. ;) She also got a Fairy ornament, a dentist Barbie doll, two $5 bills made to look like a butterfly, and a Dinosaur Train book about losing a tooth to read to Gabe. Oh, and there was Fairy dust EVERYWHERE!!! :)

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Since Kate lost her teeth, Gabe has told us all day that he sees and feels his big teeth coming in too! I can't tell you how many times he has already had me look into his mouth to "see" his new teeth. :)

O Christmas Tree...

It was late when we finally got home from the Jekyll Island tree lighting and Gabe fell asleep in the car on the way home. But, Kate & Jon still had a job to do....bring in the Christmas tree!

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They brought in the tree and got it set up in its stand last night, but it was definitely too late to decorate. The kids waited patiently all day while we worked on other projects around the house, but they were so excited when it was time to sort the ornaments!!!! They each got to pick out a "first on the tree" ornament, but Gabe wouldn't stay still long enough for a picture. :) But, he chose one of Santa riding a bike. As you can see, Kate chose a ballerina....because she really wants to get back in ballet classes! Maybe next Fall......

My crazy Christmas cuties in front of our almost finished tree!

We need a new tree topper so Gabe and I will be on the hunt for one tomorrow.

While Jon and I hung some of the more breakable ornaments, and earlier tonight while we strung the lights, Kate & Gabe decorated their own little tree in the playroom!

Jekyll Island Tree Lighting

After picking our perfect tree, we drove out to Jekyll Island for another favorite Christmas tradition....the Jekyll Island tree lighting! But before Santa lights the tree, Kate & Gabe got to see him and tell him and Mrs. Claus their Christmas wishes! Santa asked Kate if she wanted her two front teeth for Christmas, but she said no. :) She instead asked him for Stompeez Slippers! Gabe asked for a remote control boat!

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The kids made a few crafts and then found a spot around the giant tree. Santa & Mrs. Claus then went up to the top balcony of the house, raised their hands, and magically turned on the lights!

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As soon as the tree was lit, the sky was then illuminated by a beautiful display of fireworks!

Kate & Gabe loved this part and sat motionless under the treethrough the grand finale.

You can see them watching the fireworks in the picture below on the left.

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Jekyll Island Tree Lighting

2011

Picking the Perfect Tree

This afternoon we were excited to get in the car and head to Jesup to pick out the perfect Christmas Tree! This is our third year going to Days of Creation tree farm to pick out and cut down our tree...and we love it! The kids have a blast running around and I love this Christmas tradition! A shedding tree might be a bit more work than an articial one, but I wouldn't trade this for anything!

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When we arrived at the tree farm, the kids were given a big wagon and pointed in the direction of the trees...and they were off!

But first, the kids wanted to stop to pet and feed the goats. Gabe was a little nervous at first, but after realzing they weren't going to eat Kate, he too loved getting leaves off the tree for the goats.

With the goats fed, Gabe hopped in the wagon for a fun ride out to the Christmas trees!

Thanks Kate!

Next stop, the tools!

Now we hunt for our perfect family tree.

Sorry Kate, this one is adorable but might not look right in the living room. :)

Maybe it will be ready by next Christmas!

We had to say no to a few "Charlie Brown" trees before settling on our final choice.

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After looking down lots of rows of beautiful trees, we finally found it!

Our 2011 Christmas Tree!!!

Time to cut her down!

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Gabe helped for about 30 seconds, but then decided to just supervise instead.

Kate, on the other hand, wasn't going to stop until our tree was on the ground!

She did it!

(With only a little help from Daddy...really!)

We loaded our tree into the wagon and began the haul back to the car.

The kids loved watching the tree on the shaker and then getting bagged for the ride home.

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And finally, loaded onto the van!

Thank you Days of Creation tree farm for being one of the Christmas traditions I most look forward to each year!!! We will see you again next year......