A truly old fashioned Christmas parade

While celebrating Christmas with Umpa & Nana last weekend, we were very excited to take the boys to see the Lowrys Old Fashioned Christmas Parade (in Lowrys, SC). The rules of the parade are simple: no cars and no trucks. Instead, the parade is filled with tractors and horses. And candy-throwing riders. It is a great parade and Thomas thoroughly enjoyed it, in spite of the slightly inclement weather.



There were many, many tractors...


Some were big...


And some were even BIGGER:


Some were small...


Some had been around the block a time or two...


And some were a bit funny looking...


Some carried riders in style...


And Thomas took them all in...each and every one...


And Parker thought they were pretty neat, too...


There were horses walking alone (well, with riders)...


And some had to pull their loads...


Some little horses had little riders, too...


Some horses had very special and unique riders...


There were other animals, too, like llamas...


And a most impressive Texas longhorn...


Did I mention there was candy?


And no Christmas parade would be complete without Santa!


And by the way, when Thomas saw Santa before the parade, of course he had to stop and remind him how much he wanted a garbage truck!


This parade is one of the things about small towns that I love. It's a perfect parade and perfectly summed up by this sign:

Christmas wishes

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...


In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there...


From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year.


Christmas Gift!!

Calling 9-1-1

Last night we arrived at Nana & Umpa's house and decided to cause quite a scene. Two police cars and one firetruck responded quickly to our 9-1-1 call after I locked both boys, safely seated in their carseats, in the car. Even though I knew they were fine (it wasn't hot and they were safe), and I knew I could break the window if I absolutely needed to, it still was quite an unsettling 15-20 minutes before we got them out. In fact, it pretty much seemed like an eternity. But as soon as we realized we couldn't get them out ourselves and Thomas wasn't going to be able to unlock it from his seat, Aunt Beth called 9-1-1 and they responded quickly. Within a few minutes, they had the doors unlocked and our boys were safely in our arms.

Parker cried the whole time (he pretty much always cries in the car after dark), and Thomas cried a little, and as much I wanted to cry, I did my best to stay calm. It wasn't easy. And in the end, Thomas was so excited to see the responding emergency vehicles, he quickly forgot any sadness he had about being locked in the car.


That little pink tool, being held by the guy on the right, is the best thing ever. I was so thankful for those men and that little pink rod. And Thomas was just excited to see the cars/truck and get a popscicle before dinner. And Parker was just happy to get out of his carseat.

I know these things happen, but it will be perfectly okay with me if it never happens again to us.

Christmas #1 of the season

We are currently visiting Trey's parents and having our first Christmas of the season. This morning Nana & Umpa decided to go ahead and give the boys their big presents so they can enjoy them while we are here. Thomas was so excited to see the Jeep he admired in the catalog is now really his! "It's the JEEP!," he exclaimed when he saw it.


He was ready to drive it right away and he loves it!


After a near run-in with a glass-front cabinet, we decided it was time to take it outside. We told him he had to put his clothes on first and he couldn't get up the stairs fast enough. I know he will have many fun times on that Jeep.

Parker was also impressed with his rocking horse:


And Thomas loved helping his brother rock...


I know the boys will enjoy their new toys tremendously (once we figure out how to get them home and what to do with them once we get them there!). Thanks Nana & Umpa!

Wagon rides and budding photographers

After we got home from Thomas' party on Thursday, it was nearly 80 degrees outside and the sun was definitely calling our name. I figured it was a great time to take Parker for his first spin in the wagon. He really seemed to enjoy it:


Thomas, on the other hand, has taken to enjoying taking pictures with the camera. He has a little more to learn, but sometimes he does okay. He took a picture of his brother:


Parker, however, had decided to skip his morning nap and was looking a little weary. I believe the nap strike is directly related to the first tooth that seems to be popping up right now.

Thomas also likes to take self portraits. And as you can see, it was a beautiful day!


Eighty-degree days in December make it hard to be in the Christmas spirit, but they sure do make it easier to have fun outside!

School Christmas party

On Thursday, it was time for the class Christmas party at Thomas' school. There was much cheer and a fair amount of sugar, and I think a good time was had by all.


Thomas has been working on his "say cheese" face:


It needs a little work!


This is a picture of the day's "special snack." Even the sandwiches had sugar! But they sure were festive. :)



Thomas is on his holiday break from school for the next two weeks! I guess I'll have to remember how to entertain my children every day of the week again!

Christmas baking

Last week I let Thomas stay up a little later than usual one night so we could do a little Christmas baking. I couldn't seem to find the time during the day and since he usually stays up chattering in his crib until after 9 anyway, I figured there was no harm in keeping him up for something special.



As you can see from his mouth, he mostly liked to sample his hardwork.


In the end we managed to have plenty to take to his teachers and a few friends. And we kept a few for ourselves, too. :)


I heard a lot of "I do it all by myself!" so that's why there's half a truck. And if I put icing on it, then he had to put sprinkles on it. It was fun!


And of course he HAD to do a car. Because Christmas is all about cars, right?