Planes & Trains

Oh hey there! Life continues to have its way and consume every ounce of energy in this body of mine... and although I'm surviving, I'm clearly slacking in a couple departments. {{This}} being one of them.

But! A few exciting things have prompted me to jump back into my bloggy world, so here we are.

My best friend is due to have TWINS {yes, twins!} in March, thus beginning one of many celebrations. Yesterday was her first baby shower and it was precious! As I've shared once before, this household is never short of supplies when it comes to entertainment, and they always deliver. The food was amazing and the creations were beyond adorable.

I couldn't be happier for my sister-friend. I love her to pieces. These babies are going to be spoiled rotten!!!! Congrats again, Jess! 

{side note: she's 24+ weeks with twins, could she look more amazing!?!}

.......next on the list.......

My little family went on our first adventure to the North Pole on The Polar Express!!! 

Holy moly! This was so much fun. The weather wasn't too cold, but the wind kept it chilly enough for layers. Nonetheless, they kept you warm (while waiting) with indoor heaters and activities for the kids.

Oh my heart... {insert tears, really} it was a sweet moment.

But of course we couldn't leave out the other half of our family... so this was Chris and little B. 

Our family.

Then onto one of the most important parts... Writing our letter to Santa!

Signed, dated, and shipped! Off to the North Pole! All aboard!!!

... a quick glimpse into the first couple minutes of me and these two lovelies.

But then we got settled and enjoyed some of the best, most precious, timeless, unforgettable moments... 

They were very dedicated to reenacting special parts of the storyline.

Ticket punching...

Hot chocolate...

Dancing... lots of dancing... 

Driving into the North Pole...

And then waiting...

And waiting... 

..... for Santa!!!!

And he gave each of them their first gift of Christmas... their very own bell!! *if you know the story, it's kind of big deal. ;)

Of course it took all of two seconds for this to happen...

But nonetheless, they were happy and WE were happy to have made it through with all smiles and zero meltdowns! Woo hoo!!!! .... before exiting we also snagged a photo with the cute little elves. 

Such a busy, but blessed day!! We ended the night with a sleepy baby (straight-to-bed-from-car seat) and a happy little girl with her new toy train..... 

Christmas Cookie Craze

With Christmas now only two days away, my winter bucket list is coming to a close.

To conclude it will most likely be on Christmas eve and Christmas day; baking Santa's cookies and watching the classic Peanuts Christmas. 

The most recent check mark, though, was baking Christmas cookies!! What an event. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law had the whole afternoon/evening planned. I can't wait to share the pictures. Literally. So here they are.

Given the spunkiness of them both, they had festive aprons waiting for us when we got there. Adorable.

Dressed and ready... it was on to the kitchen!

She was practically a pro [cough, cough] placing each cookie cutter in the middle of the dough. But whatev. Decorating them was her specialty if anything.

Then it was on to the final fun project! Reindeer cookies. [No I didn't make or cut them. But I shaped them... good enough].

This was the best time, and what better way to share it than with family. I'm so blessed to have such incredible in-laws who enjoy their time with Audriana [I'm sure they enjoy me as much, too] because it warms my heart witnessing these precious moments.