This time of year...

Is my favorite!! I guess it's the time with family, the old traditions and the new traditions that we're starting with our little ones that makes me love this time of year. One of those new traditions we've started, and have been doing every year since Bella's first Christmas, is visiting Santa at Airlie Gardens here in Wilmington. It also seems that my brother and sister-in-law are starting that as a tradition for their family as well! They joined us last year for Layla's first Christmas, and were here this weekend to join us for our trip.

Airlie Gardens is a lovely place to visit if you're ever in Wilmington, but during the Christmas season they open up at night for Enchanted Airlie. The gardens are all decked out with Christmas lights. There are two massive train displays for the kids to enjoy. And of course, there's Santa. This is the most "authentic" looking Santa I've seen. No fake beard or stuffed belly on this guy, so he must be the real deal!! Bella and I talked about visiting Santa a bunch before we actually went. We went over what she was going to tell him she wanted (Snow White and Legos). I also told her he would ask if she had been a good girl... She was so excited to see him and got so excited when our spot in line moved so we could actually see him. And then it was our turn... Bella decided that she was willing to sacrifice getting toys on Christmas morning, because there was no way she was sitting in that scary man's lap! She was willing to get relatively close if I promised not to let her go. After much coaxing she finally told him that she wanted Snow White, although I seriously doubt he heard her because it was barely and audible whisper when she said it. Hopefully, he'll still remember Bella on Christmas! I'm sure Santa understands :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season! Here are a few pics from our night...

Here's my sweet neice, Layla. The girl can't help but dance whenever she hears any music. They were playing Christmas music while we waited in line to see Santa and she just danced and twirled until she was dizzy!

Bella and I waiting in line. She loves her popcorn, and I guess getting a bag of popcorn while we wait for Santa has become a little tradition as well!

This was the best picture we got. Austin was fine at first, but Bella was freaked out. By the time I convinced Bella to just get a little close to Santa, Austin started crying. Oh well! We tried, but getting two kids to cooperate for a picture is darn near impossible.

Bella strolling through the gardens with her Daddy.

"Fine take my picture, but I'm not going to stop eating popcorn."

Poor excuse for a family picture I know, but it was cold so I didn't feel like getting Austin out of his warm stroller. Then, of course, Bella turns her head as soon as the camera flashes.

After seeing Santa, we went to get dinner at Two Guys Grille- yum!! Nothing beats their sweet potato fries with cinnamon butter dipping sauce!

I just love Austin's sheepish expression in this picture. Maybe he was plotting his monumental meltdown that took place mere moments after this picture was taken.

I just wanted to throw in a picture from last year. Doesn't seem like it's already been a year. A lot changes in one year!

Family pic from last year- just goes to show the weather can be crazy here. Short sleeves last year, freezing and bundled up this year! Austin is actually in this picture :) We had just found out that I was pregnant :)

Touch a Truck

Yesterday was the Junior League of Wilmington's first annual Touch a Truck fundraiser. It was a fun way to raise money for the many causes that JL supports. I opted out of volunteering to work and just enjoyed the event with Scott, Bella and Austin. I guess to say Austin enjoyed himself might be a stretch. He stayed in the stroller the whole time. Maybe he can actually enjoy it next year.


Touch a Truck allowed kids to sit in, run sirens and blow horns of various vehicles that work within the community. Bella had a blast. Although, of all the vehicles, when I asked her what her favorite part was, her answer was the bouncy house.

Here are a few pictures from our day...

Bella and her Daddy going down the slide.

Bella enjoyed sitting on the school bus. She just kept sitting and sitting and sitting.

Bella on a tractor. She moved and messed with just about every button and gear on the thing.

Bella on a firetruck. She chose to sit in the back seat instead of up front and run the sirens.

On an ambulance

Air Medic helicopter

Garbage truck. Good thing it was clean!

Mini race car- just her size!

A full-size race car.

It was a good day and the weather was perfect!! Next year, we'll have 2 little ones to chase around. I can only imagine how fun this event will be for a little boy!

Battleship Half Marathon

Based on the shape I'm in now, it's hard to believe I ran a half marathon this time last year! But, our family did have a representative at the race this year- Scott! He's been training for a few months, and did great! It was a really hot day, but he made it.

I loaded up Bella and Austin to cheer Scott on and hopefully see him cross the finish line. There are over 1000 runners each year, so between them and people there to cheer them on, the finish line area was kind of crowded, but I managed to keep up with Bella. They had some music playing at the finish line, so of course, Bella danced. At least that kept her amused while we waited to see Scott. Who know, maybe next year Scott and I can run it together!

Bella busting a move...

And she keeps on dancing...

Okay, so this is my only picture of him crossing the finish line... It's a horrible one, but he's the guy in the white t-shirt in the background...

Trick or Treat!

I hope everyone had a very happy Halloween! We sure did! We went to some friend's house for pizza and trick or treating. Bella had a blast. I think Austin did too, but he didn't say much :) As I mentioned in a previous post Bella was supposed to be a princess, but decided last minute the dress "hurt". So we ended up with a Scooby Doo costume, which she decided to wear trick or treating.

Our friends have a little boy a few months younger than Bella, and there was another couple there with another little boy that is also a little younger. Bella enjoyed playing with them and they all had a lot of fun getting candy. I'm still not sure how we made it through the night without Bella getting sick, she ate SO much candy. It took me a little while to figure out her trick- instead of asking me or Scott to open her candy, she would go to the other adults at the party. I finally caught on, but not before Bella had many, many pieces of candy.

Me and Scooby before heading out for trick or treating.

Here is Bella, Miles and Brady in the wagon ready to trick or treat...

Bella was a trick or treating pro before long.

Me and my little man. If that belly is any indication, he'll give Bella a run for her money on who can eat the most candy next year!