Branson and a Birthday

So its true, I turned another year older.  I had been talking to Dereck about what we should do to celebrate and I told him I would love to take the girls to Branson...I knew it was not going to happen that is just what sounded so fun. Dereck decided to surprise me and make all the arrangements to go, all the way to getting a substitute for my daycare. Friday we loaded up our car, and our girls and hit the road.  We made our traditional stop in Coffeyville for breakfast, and then stopped in Springfield so we could go to Bass Pro Shop. We had a blast looking at all the fish and wildlife, Jessie also fell in love with a purple hat, and Jasmine insisted on taking a picture with the old guy holding a fish statue.
 After Bass Pro we headed to Lamberts and waited for an hour so we could eat some delicious food and drink some sweet tea.  We then headed to Branson. We did a little shopping and then headed to the hotel. Dereck got us a room at the Raddison and it was so beautiful he asked for us to be on the top floor so the girls could look out the window and see all the lights that Branson displays. We are pretty sure riding the elevator made it on the favorite things to do in Branson list. Jasmine kept calling it a elgavator. After we were all checked in and freshened up we headed to the outlet mall and found the girls' easter dresses and swimsuits at the Carter and Gymboree stores. We then ate dinner at a pizza place and headed back to the hotel to swim, and get to bed so we could get up and go to Silver Dollar City. The next morning which happened to be March 19th my 27th Birthday the girls slept in till 6:30 and we got around, ate at IHOP, and then headed to SDC. It was a little chilly that day but we still had loads of fun. SDC just added a new childrens section complete with a merry go round, sand pit, miniature swings, and a huge climbing tree house.  So we spent quite a bit of time there and then rode the train....which of course was a HUGE hit with both girls. We spent the whole day at SDC and then went back to the hotel for a small rest time. We then headed to The Landing, and enjoyed watching the water shows and shopping again.  completely exausted we headed back to our hotel, but Jessie was not ready to be there she kept going to the door saying "go bye bye" so we took them outside in front and did some elevator(you can see the elevator on the outside of the hotel) and people watching. Finally we had enough and got the girls to bed. Sunday morning we packed up and headed to my Parents to celebrate with my family. Here are some pictures of our trip and fun times in March.

really late coming

So I have been "meaning" to get to this blog and write up a post about christmas and all the fun December activities we participated in. But I didn't, so rather than writing off the whole idea of recording Christmas 2010 memories I decided to just have a very overdue post:-)
This year was magical, the girls had so much fun going to all of our families homes and being spoiled rotten....er...loved much:-) And this year was our second Christmas,but last year we didn't know that the girls were going to be ours forever...so technically as an official family this was our first Christmas and I really tried to start some traditions with the girls that they can look forward to each year. Here are some of the traditions we decided to start this year
*12 days of Christmas-My mom did this with my sisters and I and I carried on the tradition...I gave the girls 12 small gifts for 12 days before Christmas
*The night we decorated the tree we had a picnic style meal (junk food) on a large blanket on the floor and watched Polar Express...we wanted a movie that we would enjoy for years to come and thought the girls might like this one. Well Jasmine LOVES this movie, we rented it for this night but finally after searching high and low for this movie we found it at Toys R Us. Even now every single morning when she wakes up she asks for chocolate milk and her train movie....we unfortunately for her tell her no but offer other wonderful choices like Dora, BOZ, and Veggie Tales, and she accepts it. Anyways, we had a really fun night and the tree looked marvelous:-)
*We also took the girls to look at the lights around town probably 2 times a week...and then took them to the Isle of Lights, we would like to get ice cream afterwards from now on but this particular night did not allow for that.
*picked out ornaments at Hobby Lobby...jessie got a butterfly and jasmine a train(go figure)
*Made a gingerbread house. I bought a kit this year and the girls thought it was pretty awesome, as did I:-)
*One last thing we did was play the Micheal W. Smith Christmas CD when the girls came into the living room to see what santa brought, my mom and dad played the same CD and everytime I hear that music all the memories invade my mind and I love the magical feeling...just like when I was a kid.
*An Advent Calender--this year we had a little pony calender and everyday Jasmine opened the door and she got some kind of accessory for some minature ponies...one day hot chocolate, stockings,necklaces,cookies,boots,hats,candy. It was really cute.
On New Years Eve Dereck was on call for his job so we stayed at home and invited a few friends over. My friend Heather came and we had fun! First we ordered pizza, and drank pop, then we played hide and go seek in the dark...the girls LOVED this. At one point when Dereck was it he was trying to make the girls say something so he could find them easier (cheater) and he said Jessie do you want some candy and she was hiding with heather and she pulled the blanket down and said yep and you guessed it He found them! Then after several rounds of hide n go seek we setteled in to watch a movie and eat popcorn...after the movie the girls played with their toys, and we visited. Then Jessie was ready for bed. After that we played the wii and wrote out some goals for 2011. Then at Midnight we toasted Sparkling Grape Juice and banged on pots and pans.Jasmine was a trooper till the end...we finally put her in bed shortly after midnight...it was a really fun and simple New Year but I know that I enjoyed it and I think everyone else did too:-) Here are some pictures throughout the month and a few from Jan.
Big Helpers

tree decorating

picnic time

reindeer cookies I made for my daycare kiddos christmas party

pin the nose on the monster

My nephew Zander turned 5 on the 21st! Can't believe how fast these 5 years have gone! That is the adorable cake my sister Stephanie made...its a monster!

Papa and Granny over for a christmas dinner

Dereck and girls with his mom, and brother and sister. They came by with a bunch of gifts for the girls

Christmas Morning

Jessie was pretty excited about her santa gift as well

Jasmine's big santa gift was a dollhouse and she couldn't get enough playtime with it...it was just what she wanted!

Jamine with all of her gifts

Checkin her new ride out

Fist time seeing their new playhouse from Grandma Goofy, and Papa Dandy...they loved it!!!

Christmas Morning breakfast

Christmas Eve

Dereck and I on Christmas Eve at my parents house

My adorable neice Hannah...I can't believe how fast she is growing up! I loved spending time with my neices and nephews this year!

Santa enjoyed the milk and cookies

Christmas Morning....so fun!

Jasmine opening a stocking at Grandma and Grandpa Ryels house 

Dereck, and his Dad, Step Mom, and brother and sister and the girls...LOVE them:-)

Christmas stocking and Grandma and Grandpa Hutchisons house on Christmas Day

Playing in their new playhouse on a cold winter day

We decided about 15 minutes till Midnight we would write out goals for the new year . Here is Jasmine writing her new years goals...she was really focused:-) needless to say I will be keeping that precious peice of paper.

First time playing Candyland with Jamines new game...she thought it was so fun and she really started to understand how to play!

My Grandparents always banged pots and pans on New Years Eve so we had to do the same...it was cold hence the frosty air

Our First Snowfall!January 2011

Carson my nephew...Isn't he adorable?!

My Dad and my BIL Andy on Christmas Eve

We had so much fun this year and I know that making the holidays special and full of traditions will be something the girls treasure. I know that I treasure all of the memories and traditions my parents had for us....it gives you a sense of belonging, and I love that. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!