Weekend of holiday fun

I realize it's already Tuesday, but I just know have some time to write about our fun filled weekend. Cale was out of town last week, but came home on a red eye Thursday night so he was able to take Friday off. We decided to make the most of it and he took us out to lunch before we headed out to the tree farm to find the perfect tree.

Tying up the tree

Finally got one of him smiling- he was not a happy guy tree hunting!

My cold, smiley girl!

We spent the rest of our day decorating the tree, drinking hot chocolate and stringing popcorn while watching "A Christmas Story". It was a really fun day!

Saturday morning Haven and I went to our church and were a part of A Very Veggie Christmas. Haven had so much fun watching "Saint Nicholas", making craft projects and shopping for some gifts. I worked in the Shopping Room and helped about 30 children select gifts for the family. It was so much fun to help these kids find something that they thought their family member would love and see their faces light up when they found the perfect gift!

After a few hours of rest at home we loaded everyone up and all their cold weather gear to brave the cold and attend Lebanon's Christmas Festival and Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade. We almost didn't' go because it was so cold, but I'm glad we decided to go ahead with our plans. We managed to find a great parking spot, avoided the crowds finding something to eat and even walked right up to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. We decided to avoid the main drag of the parade because it is so crowded and instead opted for the end of the parade route (which just happened to be a block from our car.) We made a pit stop at a local church who were warming the crowds with free hot chocolate, Christmas cookies and a warm place to hang out for a few minutes. Then we settled into our little stretch of tree lawn to watch the big show. Mati wasn't too sure at first, but then got excited at each new carriage that made it's way down the street. Haven loved it and kept up a running commentary of her new favorite thing she saw all the while shaking her glow stick at the horses "to say hi."

My car's thermometer- proof!

Haven and her new friends

Bundled up baby boy! Look close and you'll see that yes, we did put his sister's old pink boots on him! Hey- it was 22 degrees outside! You do what you have to do!

A quick break from the action to warm up her feet! She has a hand warmer wrapped around her toes with her foot stuffed in Cale's glove. Again, you do what you've got to do!

One of the 145 horse-drawn carriages that passed by.

It was absolutely a wonderful weekend full of holiday fun. We are so enjoying celebrating with Haven and Mati this year!