The Polar Express

Last Friday night we boarded the Polar Express! 

I think the kids were excited to ride to the North Pole and see Santa!!

A little backstory for you before I begin this post - When I taught 4th grade we took the Polar Express on a field trip and I thought it was awful. It might have been because I was trapped on a train with 40 fourth graders and they were so loud we couldn't hear the story. When Jennifer told me we were going on this Polar Express trip I shared my experience with her. I was worried. She told me that she thought this time would be better. Plus it was with some of my favorite people so I had high hopes for this trip!

Since it was Black Colorful Friday and I work retail I couldn't make it to the train ride until right before we boarded but they had some fun activities for the kids to do before and after. The kids got to write letters to Santa and roast marshmallows.

We had to walk a long way to get to our boarding spot. We heard that the train would be arriving in less than 5 minutes so we put the kids on our shoulders so they could watch the Polar Express arrive. They were so excited and just so happy! So far so good. 

We boarded the train and found our seats. I really wanted to get a picture of me and the girls for my Christmas card. Hadley's eyes were closed in every picture. oh well.

It was time to leave the station and make our way to the North Pole! 

Hadley watching us leave the station!

The conductor came around and punched our golden tickets. Myles was having the best time. 

Hadley and Harper are clearly so excited about the golden ticket. 

It was time for hot chocolate. The "chefs" danced down the aisle and handed out the hot chocolate and cookies. 

Myles and Kim loving their hot chocolate.

Harper enjoyed her hot chocolate too.

Every picture I took was blurry. I guess it was the motion of the train.

Finally we reached the North Pole! And guess who got on our train? Good ole St Nick! 

Really - this is the best picture I got! Ha! 

But these kids got a great picture! 

Santa left the train and this happened...

The girls were out! 

I think I had a picture of how I thought this trip should be in my mind and it did not happen the way I had pictured it. I don't think it was as bad as my field trip but I still did not think it was fabulous. 

I am not sure that the Polar Express is worth the money. I asked Jennifer if the girls had said anything about it and she said nope.  But Myles, LouAnn, and Granny Janet all seemed to enjoy the trip! 

This is only my opinion and I know that lots of families go on the Polar Express and love it. I am just not one of those people.  I did love being with my friends! I enjoy anytime I can spend with them. Not all memories and activities have to be perfect. They are our memories and I am happy to have had the chance to experience this with my sweet friends! 

On Thanksgiving Day I read the Polar Express book to Harper. We just snuggled in a big chair at the cabin and enjoyed the book together.  I know I will treasure that Polar Express memory! 

Thanks for reading! And if you are planning a trip to ride the Polar Express, I hope you have a better time than me!

xoxo

October

October

Rocktober

My favorite time of year

Years ago my students used to sing those words in music class during the month of October. They loved it! So 90% of the time when I say October, I sing that song (in my head, not out loud)! It's the simple things in life that make me smile! A little side note- December is really my favorite time of year!

I spent most of October recovering from my car accident. I had to deal with insurance companies, rental car companies, the chiropractor and car salesmen. It has been a hassle but thankfully it looks like it is almost over.

I did manage to squeeze in a quick trip to see Hadley and Harper. They were having a fall festival at their school and I thought it would be fun to go with them.

Christmas is right around the corner and I am trying to get a Christmas card picture. Here are a few outtakes. Needless to say these will not be my Christmas card picture! 

Facebook reminded me of this old memory.  Same spot just 5 years ago. 

I mean look how cute they are?! I know I say it all the time but I am blessed that these girls are in my life!

Just one more funny picture!

I'm still trying to get a Christmas card picture! ha!

Jennifer is the room mom for the girls class and she made this craft for the silent auction at the fall festival. Each kid designed a heart. 

Harper drew a picture of her and Hadley. So sweet!

They had this orange truck for a photo opportunity. 

My fall festival outfit.

The sunset made for a pretty picture. 

The girls tried out the rock climbing wall. They didn't make it to the top but they really worked hard to get there. I just don't think it was made for their short legs. They needed a wall that was made for a five year old.

A quick selfie before I headed home. 

While Jennifer and I were shopping at Target we found these cute Halloween tees. I thought the candy in the belly was adorable. Jennifer found the slippers that Harper is modeling. Now they will have super warm feet. 

I really wish they would stop growing. Harper looks so grown up in this picture.

My friend Traci popped into the Lilly store to say hello. I loved getting to see her. She moved to the beach in July!

I spent the next few days/weeks looking at cars and going to the chiropractor. My car was considered a total loss. I was very sad. My Acura was paid for and I really loved driving it.

Pure Barre was holding Pop-up classes the month of October in different locations. We hosted one of the classes for Asheville at the Lilly store. 

I think it was a fun event. I hope all the Pure Barre ladies had a good time!

After countless hours of researching cars and several test drives I finally decided on a car. I went with a Honda Accord. I had such mixed emotions on getting a new car. I was so bummed out about not having my old car but kind of excited to get something new. I love the new car smell and all the fancy features this new car has but I have a car payment...and that is not fun! 

Right before I drove off the lot.
If you need a new or pre-owned Honda or Acura, go see my friends Adam and Jeanie at Apple Tree Honda in Asheville. They were super patient with me while I tried to figure out what I wanted.

Jennifer sent this picture to me of Harper in her classroom. I think she has fabulous handwriting for a beginning Kindergartner. 

(it was pajama day at school)

Remember when I posted about my cousin Lauren's gender reveal and baby shower?
Well baby Piper made her appearance this month!

Welcome to the world!

I had to run into the mall the other day and I ran into my friend Jamie! I hate going to the mall so running into Jamie made it worth the trip.

Halloween is not really my favorite time of year...I don't like scary costumes, ghost, movies, or being scared. So throwing on my Lilly Minnie Mouse ears is the extent of my dressing up.

 Alex, Molly, and me (my Lilly's co-workers).
I think it is funny that we are all dressed in black. Black is a rare occurrence at the Lilly store!

I will end my October recap with these trick or treaters

Hadley Sophia the first , Unicorn Harper, Veterinarian McKinley, Dinosaur Miles

xoxo

My weekend visitors

Last weekend I had some special visitors! Jennifer and her girls, Kim and her kids, and their mom, LouAnn, all came to visit the mountains! I love it when they visit. The kids start school next week so this was their last weekend getaway for a while.

The girls needed to so some back to school shopping so we hit up the new Asheville outlets. Our first stop was J Crew to visit one of my former co-workers, Mary.

Harper found some sunglasses and thought she needed to take a selfie.

They found some shoes to try on.

Granny Janet gave the kids some coins to throw into the fountain and make a wish!

It started raining and I think the kids were over shopping so we headed home!

On Saturday we did some back to school shopping at my favorite place, Palm Village!

We have little girl leggings and I couldn't wait for the girls to try them on. They did a good job being fashion models!

After shopping for a while we decided to have lunch in Biltmore Village. I took them to one of my favorite places, The Wayside.

This is so rare...Myles and me in a picture! Sweet Myles rarely lets me hold him. 

Of course Harper has no problem posing in a picture with Aunt Moe!

Asheville has a hop on hop off trolley that goes around town. We thought that might be a great way to ride around town and visit downtown Asheville. (I absolutely hate driving downtown. I always ride with someone else if I need to go. I thought this would be a good way to get out of having to drive downtown!)

Just three of my favorite people! 

And three more of my favorites

The kids loved being on a bus and not buckled up!

If you look close you can see the Grove Park!

On Sunday it was time to go home.

Love these kids!

It's no secret that I absolutely adore these girls! I know we are not blood family but there is no doubt in my mind that they are my family! I love being Aunt Moe! 

xoxo