Tree Decorating

Once we finally got through Thanksgiving and our crazy busy weekend, we put up our tree! Ella was SO excited to decorate.  

I love Christmas time. I always have. I love it even more now that we have Ella. Christmas just reminds me of her since her birthday is in December. I will never forget the December I was pregnant with her. I was scared to death, but I was so excited to have a baby at Christmas. I had our tree up and all of our decorations up before Thanksgiving that year in preparation for her arrival. I was hoping I would go into labor early, but that of course did not happen. Minus everything that happened to me after I had Ella I would consider that the best Christmas ever.  She truly is the best present I have ever received! 

Sunday afternoon we turned on our Christmas music, and I let Ella put on all the ornaments. She is very careful not to break any ornaments. I did have to rearrange a few, but all in all I would say she did a great job decorating our tree. 

Before we decorated the tree I had to get a couple pictures of Ella in her santa hat! 

Ella made a couple of homemade ornaments this year to hang on our tree. She is so proud of her creations!

I love love love pictures by the Christmas tree, especially at night. 

The B&W photo was taken in November, 2010. The color photo was taken this November, 2012. What a difference two years makes! I may cry:(

We are looking forward to a fun filled Christmas season!

Hadi Shrine Circus

Our fun continued on Saturday. Adam, Ella, and I went to the circus. I have always loved the circus so I love the fact that I get to relive it again with Ella. 

Last year we had to leave early, but she made it through all three hours this time. 

I used to be terrified of clowns! I hope Ella doesn't have the same fear. I used to avoid them at all cost, but now I see how fun they are. :) 

My favorite part of the circus is definitely the elephants!

This year at intermission they had face painting and souvenir photos with Dora and Diego. It was basically another way to make some extra money. Ella wanted to get her face painted as spider girl. 

This little dog dressed in the elephant costume was one of my favorite acts. Adorable! 

I think Ella enjoyed the motorcycles the most! 

On the way out Ella asked, "Can we put up the tree now?" Stay tuned...

Polar Express 2012

This was our second year at the Polar Express. I didn't think last year could be topped, but it was! This year was even more magical than last. If you get the chance to go to the Polar Express you must go. I think it is my favorite activity of the entire year, and it's a great way to kick off the Christmas season. 

We left really early this year so we could go to the West Baden hotel. I had never been there.  I thought it was beautiful. Ella loved it too and enjoyed all the running room. 

After we explored the hotel we went to lunch at "33 Brick Street" with the fam. Lunch was good and went well until Ella got a splinter. Adam and I had to take her out to the car to get it out, because she was screaming. So traumatic! We got it out though, and she was fine. 

We had a little time to kill before we had to be at the train so we went to the French Lick Hotel. I love these hotels at Christmas, because they are decorated beautifully! The girls loved running around, and they loved the Christmas decorations. 

Look at that face! Ella was pretty tired by the time we actually got on the train. A little hot chocolate and a cookie cheered her right up!

They read the Polar Express story on the train, and they play the same songs. My favorite is "Hot chocolate" of course!

 The girls really enjoyed dancing in the aisles. 

 I think their favorite thing was the visit from Santa. Their eyes lit up. They both got bells and had their picture taken. 

Ella joined in with the other kids to pretend to be a line of reindeer. I can not believe how much Ella is coming out of her shell. 

I thought this might be out last year for the Polar Express, but I think we are going to go again next year. I can't think of a better way to kick off the Christmas season. We laughed and cried and had the best time. I am so thankful to my parents for taking us all. It was a wonderful time that I know we will all never forget! I'm already looking forward to next year.