Santa and His Reindeer

Today, we went to see Santa and some reindeer.  It was a free event in a local parking lot, and was very nice.  When we got there, there was a firetruck, police car and an armored police vehicle.  We checked those out and then found Santa.  It was quite chilly, but a good time was had by all!

Nora, Ethan and Santa

Checking out the reindeer

Ethan really liked petting them.

He was freezing!

The reindeer checking out the kids :)

Nora and I with Decatur's finest

We are loving all that comes with this Christmas season.  Especially the family time and extra excitement from the kids!

Let it Snow!

We finally got enough snow to play in yesterday {about 5-6 in total}.  Ethan still loves to play out in it, and could stay outside all day, if we let him.  Nora loved it as well.  She was done much before her brother, though.  We invited some friends over to sled in our yard and had a blast!  

A view of our back yard, before any snow was disturbed.  Beautiful!

The 4 of us!

My friend, Emily, and Nora!

Ethan, the daredevil!

Ethan and friends, throwing snowballs at the tree house. 

Big girl, sledding on her own!

4 families=11 kids (with 2 on the way)!  So thankful for these sweet faces and their parents!

Christmas at the Colliers

I finally got around to taking some pictures of our Christmas decorations this year.  I like to do this to share it with everyone as well as document for myself.
We got our tree from the Boy Scouts again this year, and still are not disappointed.  The kids had a blast decorating it and watching/helping them do it is one of my favorite parts about this time of year!

Putting the 1st ornament on the tree 

Nora did really well 

It's a family affair

So excited about the tree!

We have these little sparkly poof balls that you throw into the tree.  They were a fun tradition when I was a kid, we always wanted to keep taking them out the the tree and throw them in again.  So, when I found some, I bought them.  And my kids do the same...until they throw them too high and can't reach them anymore :).

Ethan, in action.  Look at the top, center of the picture.  There's a green one.

Up close on one.

Finally the star!

After everything else was done and in place, I went around taking pictures.  So, enjoy the virtual tour of Christmas decor at our house this year :).
I'll start outside first,

Now, inside:

Some of the flat surface ;)

Mantle and Christmas Tree, all lit up.  I love the look and feel of just the Christmas lights.

Nora and Ethan's 2013 ornaments
Nora gets the owl- she was an owl for Halloween
Ethan gets the fox- he loves to go around singing "What does the fox say?"

Some different angles of the tree and mantle and the dining room

My Nativity scene I got as Christmas gifts from my parents over several years.  I love it!

Ethan wanted to make some snowflakes today.  I showed him my way, and he had a way also.  He and Jared put together this 'Winter Art' paper.  This might have to come out every year as decoration.  I love it.  And I love that it says 'Art Winter'.  Makes me laugh every time I read it :).

One last photo...

Merry Christmas!!

T&L Christmas Party

Last night was the adult version of the Tate & Lyle Christmas party.  We got dressed up, got a sitter and headed out.  It was quite fun, actually.  I knew people this year!  I think I might have been pregnant with Ethan at the last one we attended.  {We're lame.}  The entertainment was dueling pianos.  They were very good, and comical at times.  There were also drawings for lots of really nice prizes, none of which we won :(.

A nice night out!

 There was also a photo booth.  It was fun, and we came home with this...

Children's Christmas Party

Monday night was the Tate & Lyle children's Christmas party.  They rented out the Children's Museum, had pizza and cookies for everyone and brought in Santa and Mrs. Claus!  Jared's company sure does know how to plan a good time!!  The kids had a great time!

Ethan is sliding across the floor here...trying to catch the puff ball that will come flying out the the wind tube.  They love this exhibit. 

His legs are finally long enough to reach the pedals on the skeleton bike!

The hospital nursery is where you can find Nora at the museum.  She loves to change their diapers and feed them :).

All smiles with Santa and Mrs. Claus! 

The adult Tate & Lyle Christmas party is Friday.  We are looking forward to a night out :)!

Thankful

This is a few days late, but everyday,  I'm thankful for the countless blessings in my life!  For my husband, my children, my parents, my in laws, my siblings, my church and so so much more!
We spent the Thanksgiving weekend in Salem, being with family and eating A LOT!

First up, the Collier Thanksgiving...a table full of goodness!!

Ethan and Nora, enjoying themselves.

Thanksgiving #2, more yummy food!

Paige, Ethan and Josiah

The grown-up table

Uncle Jim, took the kids out on the side by side for some rides through the woods!

Tyler, Ethan and Jim

Saturday morning, we went to see Frozen.  It was so good!!  And everyone enjoyed the popcorn!

Some {attempts at} Family Photos!

Basketball Party

To wrap up the kids basketball season, the coaches decided to have a party at the local Dairy Queen.  Jared (being one of the coaches) was given some funds to do something with for the basketball team, as an end of the season celebration.  We decided to order basketball medals and get together to hand them out.  Our DQ has a nice big play place too, so the kids had fun running off some energy.

Here are some pictures of our party.

Ethan getting his medal!

Ethan with a few teammates

After everyone got their medals, they put their hands in for one more "Roar!"
(Their team name was the Lions)

Ethan with his favorite coach

Showing off his new medal.  He loves it, and has already played several games in which he 'won' this medal.

Oh My...

I  usually know when my kids are getting into things they shouldn't, or being ornery by the quiet. This being said, I walked into Ethan's room this evening to see this...

 Yes, this is underwear...on their heads.

And, underwear all over the floor.

But they had a blast, and they weren't hurting themselves or anything else, so I grabbed the camera :).  They sure do keep me on my toes.