Huntersville festivities

Huntersville had a festival with free sledding, free rides, and free horse rides. We went with the Scurlocks and we had so much fun, but it was COLD. (well, for NC temperatures that is)


                                       First we went sledding

Madison getting ready to slide down

Not sure if she liked it

Ellie loved it

I think Connor ended up liking it, but he was very hesitant about going down.

Zander couldn't wait

Judging from the smile, I think he liked it

                                           Then on to some rides

Madison loves rides

Zander is excited and Connor is not so sure about this

You don't have to ask her twice. She loves rides!

Jackson and Ellie

Madison and Zander are loving it

look at that smile

Maggie. She enjoyed watching everyone while trying to stay warm.

Sydney and Jackson

                             Time for food in between

Zander. Brrrrr....Can you tell it was cold?

                            Then to horse riding

Getting helmets on for the horse rides (also free)

Ellie couldn't wait to get on the horse

not sure if Madison likes riding horses or not

Zander likes it

We had to talk Connor into getting onto the horse by letting him ride the smallest.

Skating party

For Ellie's birthday we had a combined birthday bash with Gracie at the skate rink. This was only the 2nd time Ellie had ever been roller skating and the first time for Zander, Connor, and Madison.

The birthday girls.

Ellie trying out the skates

and then immediately falling. But she got up and kept trying. :)

Connor doesn't really know what to think of this skating thing. He doesn't really want to find out either.

Especially after falling. He seems surprised that he fell.

Zander doesn't want to move

Even Tim tried skating

He took Zander out for a spin around the rink

Madison was excited to try at first

I took her out, but she kept falling so she quickly wanted her skates off. 

There were other toys and slides that they wanted to play with instead.

They had all the birthday kids go out to the middle of the rink.

Ellie wanted nothing to do with that dog. He followed her for a little ways, but she kept walking away from him.

Time for pizza and cupcakes

and presents

and singing happy birthday

blowing out the candles

gotta get every last bit of chocolate off those candles. :)

Christmas Tree

The day after Thanksgiving we go to the mountains to get our trees. Beacuse we went to Disney last year, this was the first time that Madison got to go to the mountains to find a tree. And the boys were old enough to know what we were doing. They all were so excited.

such a beautiful day to go!!

Christmas tree...where are you???

I think this may be it. Now where is the other one?

watching Ellie ride a  horse

She always likes this part

Madison's first time on a horse. She didn't seem to know what to think.  She was a little nervous the whole time.

At first Connor didn't want to ride, but then after seeeing Ellie and Madison, I guess he figured he would try.

Zander was so excited to try riding for the first time.

Family room

Ellie's tree

Dinning room

playroom

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I didn't really take any photos of our awesome dinner and pies that my hubby and mom cooked. (My hubby cooks an awesome turkey and mom makes an awesome apple pie!) However, I did get some of...

happy, dirty children. Apparently, while we were cooking, our kids decided to roll in the mudd.

 And some (clean) kids having so much fun together. They really do love playing together (most) of the time.

And then there was the black friday shopping. Wish I had photos of the lines!

So thankful for this past year with my family!!!

Shoping with a purpose

This Christmas season why not shop with a purpose. Buy gifts that will help others. Here are just a few good causes.

My FAVORITE organization http://www.amazimastore.org/!!
TOMS are a great start. They have some really cute shoes, even some sparkly holiday shoes, and for every pair sold they give a pair to a child in need. http://www.toms.com/

Sseko sandals are so cute. Summer will be here befor you know it and there are so many ways you can wear these cute sandals. And you can buy extra straps in other colors. Very fun sandal. They are made by women in Uganda and help these women pay for their school. Awesome! http://www.ssekodesigns.com/

Funky Fish has some great jewelry! I love them and there are some great ones that help support my favorite, Project HOPEFUL, who help families adopt children with HIV. (they are working on the site so they said to check back with them after Dec. 5) http://www.funkyfishdesigns.com/apps/webstore/products


Why not buy a gift that will also help someone bring their child home. Help support adoption! The adopt shoppe on etsy has some cute necklaces and bracelets. http://www.etsy.com/shop/theadoptshoppe


These women who started 147 million orphans are amazing!! They have Ugandan necklaces, bags, shirts, and other things for sale and all the proceeds go to help orphans. Check them out. http://www.147millionorphans.com/

Love 146 works to help end child sex slavery. Such a good cause! http://love146.definingapparel.com/products_results.php

Body butter in all sorts for awesome scents to help support this families adoption. http://andykiara.blogspot.com/p/our-adoption-fundraisers.html

Check out Noonday collections http://www.lizbradley.noondaycollection.com/home-and-gift. They have so many cute gifts and you can read their story.

Organic Ugandan vanilla to help raise money for adoption. http://ourbeautifulcollision.com/support/

Here are some ornaments that help raise money for adoption. http://web.me.com/vanswearingen/www.embracingethiopia.com/Lend_a_Hand.html

How about give one less gift to your kids and have them sit down with you and go through the World Vision catalog and buy a gift for someone else in need. So fun! Kids love picking something out. http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?lpos=sponsor-a-child_top_img_gift_catalog&go=gift&&section=10389

Consider child sponsorship. A gift that could change a life! http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2DoChildSearch_B.jsp?

One of my Jr. FIG members sent me this link and its great! http://www.compassion.com/catalog.htm

These are just a few good causes. There are SO many other places you can get involved and shop with a purpose. Please take some time and search for them.

Merry Christmas