Breakfast with Santa/Christmas Mall…

So a few weekends ago, we enjoyed a very busy day full of Christmas festivities!  First up was breakfast with Santa at Taiton hall, then I had dancers dancing at the Christmas mall in the afternoon (one of which was Mallory) and that evening, Brandon and I enjoyed an evening with his work crew at the bank Christmas party at Greek’s.   What a fun day!

Dayton and Mrs. Claus:

Playing games:

 

BFFs:

Can you believe we actually got a picture with Santa this year?!?!  I couldn’t believe it!  Mallory would not sit on his lap; however, she agreed to this pose, so I will take it. Can’t wait to see the real picture that Ms. Susan took!

Codi did great, too!

 

Doesn’t Mallory look so proud of herself:

And here are a few action shots from the Christmas mall.  Mally danced with the four year olds, but she learned the dance with them and I promise I made her practice at home way more than I probably should have.  She blended in and stood at the complete opposite end of the stage as me so I was proud of her :) They performed Rudolph, hence the red noses and antlers:

Proud Daddy:

Proud Big Brother:

Proud Mommy:

And a picture courtesy of Dayton and the iphone of me and Brandon before the party that night:

The Nutcracker…

This year for our 8 year anniversary, I asked Brandon for Nutcracker tickets for us and the kids.  He was sweet and agreed and told me if I could squeeze it into our busy schedule, he’d go.  Of course, I was able to find a little time – the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and then Mallory’s bday Saturday – what else would we have to do that day?  Who needs rest ;)

We ate at Birra Piretti’s before the show and we all had a great time – even Dayton!

Here are some pics I took with my iphone:

If you look really close you can see Brandon holding Dayton while they checked out the orchestra before the show:

Our Berry Sweet Three Year Old!

I am finally getting around to our princess’ third birthday post.  She turned three on the 24th and what a fun day it was.  Here are the pics to prove it!

The invite:

 

The decor:

I made lots and lots of tissue flowers to use as decorations this time around:   

Cookies:

Entry table:

Adorable Strawberry shortcake themed letters by Amy Klatt – so cute!

I used the cricut on my write plate for the first time:

Personalized M&Ms:

Wreath made of tissue flowers:

The cake by the wonderful Mrs. Pat Rawlinson:

The mantle – the tv console had two 8x10s also – one of Mallory when she was born, and one of her when she turned one.  The mantle had two pics too – when she was two and now:

The breakfast table area:

The oven hood:

Molly even wore her Strawberry shortcake bandana:

Waiting for guests to arrive:

       

      Guys playing football outside:

Eating:

Ready for “Happy Birthday”

Blowing out the candles:

 

These two sweethearts share a birthday:

Pin the stem on the strawberry: Opening presents:

        

      So we found these cutouts online and I read how this over-the-top mom made the whole crew for her daughter’s party.  I thought to myself that I’d be lucky to make one.  But, since I was able to recycle the beloved reveal box from Cassie’s shower, I was able to make one per side so we had four.  They took hours and hours of painting but costs hardly nothing.  It was worth it.  I think they turned out precious!

Here is Anna as Lemon Meringue, Bryn as Plum, Mallory as Strawberry Shortcake and Codi as Blueberry:

Here’s Molly showing us her best Blueberry:

I roped Will and Luke into doing this:

Here’s my Aunt JoAnn and my Mom:

Anna:

Bryn:

Mallory:

Codi:

  Trying out her new big girl Strawberry Shortcake bike outside:

And birthday dinner that evening in pjs at her Strawberry table:

What a fun time – I have lots and lots more pictures but this will have to do for now ;)