The Polar Express

This past weekend we took Makena and Megan to Bryson City, NC to ride the Polar Express. It was a bit of a drive but the girls had so much fun. If you have never read The Polar Express or seen the movie I highly recommend it.....no matter how old you are. It is a terrific story that Makena and Megan enjoy hearing throughout the year.

Makena took one of her preschool class "pets" with us. Here she is posing with Nomad the turtle and her golden ticket.
They encouraged all of the kids to wear their pajamas and bring their Polar Express books. I put leggings and long sleeve shirts under their pajamas because it was so COLD.

We had to pull Megan away from the train table.

Makena looking for our train car...

All aboard!

So excited!

The "chefs" danced in the aisle after they passed out hot chocolate....just like the book and movie.

We're headed to the North Pole!

Getting their tickets punched...

They were having so much fun! And enjoying the hot chocolate and chocolate covered marshmallows!

The girls followed along in their book as someone read The Polar Express story.

Not a great picture of any of us, but proof I was there, too.

I'm glad we went during the day. Makena and Megan, especially, loved looking out the window. Megan kept talking about the river that was right beside the train.

Here comes Santa Claus!

Thrilled!

A combination of excitement and anxiety. :)

Santa giving them their bells...

We let Nomad wear the bell.

Megan said, "I got a jingle bell!"

We sang Christmas songs on the way back.

What a fun day!

Megan's 2nd Birthday Party

We were finally able to have Megan's birthday party Sunday afternoon (we had to postpone it because Megan was sick.) If you follow this blog, you have probably noticed that Megan has already gotten to celebrate her birthday quite a bit. Even though none of us enjoyed Megan being sick, she did get an extra cake and celebration out of it. We asked that our party guests bring donations for the food bank instead of bringing gifts. The girls always get plenty of gifts from family. So, today I took Makena and Megan to the food bank to drop off our donations. We were able to give a donation of $140 and give over 50 food items.

This is Megan's Yo Gabba Gabba cake. Megan and Popaw getting ready to play at the gymnastics center...

One of the instructors helped Megan across the balance beam.
It was difficult to get good pictures because everyone was running!
Makena crossing the balance beam...
Adam on the trampoline...

Megan playing with the parachute...

Who is this big girl and where did our baby go?

Megan sang happy birthday to herself. :)

Here she is on the giant inflatable obstacle course...

Makena swinging on the rope...

Megan waited patiently to get her gold medal.

Makena, Addison, Adam and Reed.

One day I'll have someone take a picture of me with the girls...

Ta da, Jack!

Megan on the medal stand...

This is most of the party crowd: (L-R) Joiner, Josie, Addison, Ella, Makena, Megan, Reed, Adam, Conner, Carly and Jack. Not pictured: Owen, Kaley, Charlie and Breiner.

I love this picture! She was trying so hard to blow out the candles.

Getting a little help from Daddy...

Little Charlie enjoying his party favor...

Yummy cake and ice cream!

Disney On Ice

I took Makena and Megan to see Disney on Ice today. They got to see all of their favorite characters (except Pooh Bear....if he had been there it would have been a perfect show.) Here they are during intermission.....Makena with Cinderella and Megan with Flounder.

Here they are posing with Makena's favorite princess, Cinderella. She insisted on wearing her Cinderella costume.
I posted quite a few pictures from the show. Makena and Megan also like looking at the blog from time to time and I knew they would enjoy seeing them.

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast....after he transformed into a prince.

If you click on the picture you'll see Snow White, Pocahontas, Cinderella, Belle and Ariel.

Goofy and one of the toy soldiers from Toy Story

Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and Woody

Pinocchio being swallowed by the whale.

Gepetto and Pinocchio free from the whale.

Stich with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy

The cool dragon they brought out during the Mulan performance. (The spots you see in this picture are snow flakes.)

Timon and Pumba from the Lion King.

Simba and Nala

Big Finale

Finally got a good shot of Cinderella!