Festival Of Trees + Santa

Tis the season to be Jolly.  Tis the season to participate in events, and partake in traditions that scream Christmas.  And Tis the season to enjoy time with family, while reminiscing about the old, and making new traditions with new family members.

Now that I have a family of my own, with that comes a whole new responsibility.  Ya know, as if parenting, or mothering isn't enough to juggle---we take on the "tradition staker-follow-througher-make-sure-everything-gets-done-during-the-holidays" responsibility as well.  We long for our family to experience old and new traditions, and we try our darnedest to make sure they enjoy the Holidays, and remember the true reason of this special and amazing Season. 

Parkersburg was hosting their very first annual Festival of Trees on December 1, and Carl and I both agreed that this was something that we could all enjoy as a family. 

   

Carson is obsessed with pretty lights, and "Chemistry" trees.  So this would be a perfect event for him to enjoy.  There were going to be dozens of Christmas trees lined with pretty lights.  That combination is a win-win in his book!  

My Sister and her family joined us for the evening, which made it even more fun.  I love to spend time with them, and my heart beats a little faster when I see Carson and Natalie playing together.  It melts me, to say the least.  We enjoyed a pancake supper, and good company.

  

Please excuse the above blurry pictures.  They were playing ring around the rosie, and I couldn't get a good picture of them- but I love how these pictures show how much fun they are having together.  Blurry or not.  

We enjoyed gazing at the different trees, picking out our favorites, and chatting about which one we thought would have the highest bid.  All of the trees were being silently auctioned off, and the money was going to be donated back into the Community. 

Grandma---this is Nancy's tree.  It was really big compared to the others, and so pretty!

Check out this Candy Land tree.  Isn't it so neat?  There were real pieces of candy that lined the board, and the tree was filled with candy.  This one got "most creative" in our book!

Oh yeah, and Santa was there.  Ya know--the big 'ol Jolly guy in a red suit?  Yeah, him.  Although, this year I felt like he was lacking the "jolly" part of his role play, as my children were scared to death of him.  Carson wouldn't go within 10 feet of the guy sitting in the big chair with a long white beard, and our poor Weston was petrified.  And yes, I was that Mother who snapped a shot of her screaming child while still sitting on Santa's lap.  I feel horrible, but I can't help but laugh at this picture.  Weston's HUGE pouty lip, and Santa's face is just too funny.  

We all enjoyed ourselves that evening, and it definitely got me in the spirit for Christmas.  It was a wonderful way to welcome December into our event calendar!