Festival of the Trees

The weekend before Camille arrived we fit in a bit more holiday fun. First, we went to see the Festival of the Trees at yet another hotel. This was the biggest display, and the kids loved it.

This tree had little mice on it representing the towns around Greenville. The Simpsonville mouse brought stuffing - so cute!



I love that the mouse named Eric brought (root) beer.



A nature-themed tree





Nana and Grady really liked this one



The sock monkey tree was a big hit too!



Anson looks like a gift under this tree!




Penguin tree!




It looks like he's waiting for a business meeting to start



Trying to get a shot of the boys together



After seeing the trees we headed to a park to run around

Ansy loved the xylophone





and the swing





Riding a choo choo





swinging with Daddy



G-Man barely slowed down long enough for a photo, but he had fun too!

Fun Times with Nana

Nana came to visit well before Christmas so that she could help us in the last days before baby girl arrived and also so she could be there when I went into labor. We are so very appreciative that she came so early and for all that she did. It made the last days before Cami's arrival so much nicer for us all. And I know the boys were happy that she was with them while Mama and Dada had to stay in the hospital!

She helped us finish decorating the tree...






Nana and Grady enjoyed lots of "Stack the States" and "Stack the Countries" on the iPad!



Daddy and Anson









Anson enjoying some of the cookies we made for Grady's Christmas party






Watching some "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse". Anson will ask for "Mickey house?" and "Hot dog?" (they do the hot dog dance at the end of the show).



Nana and the G-Man made a gingerbread house - Grady was really into it!















Finished product!



And a video of Anson enjoying his cookie...

Grady's Big Debut

Grady had several performance opportunities this holiday season, both at school and church. His first performance was as Joseph in the school Christmas program. He was SO excited about his big part, and he took it so seriously. He also told us that he was not nervous at all. This was not actually a speaking role, but he, Mary, and the angel were the only three costumed characters, so it was a big honor to get the part of Joseph. All of the children sang songs that basically told the story of Christmas. Mrs. Jamison, the director also narrated.

Here is some video from the show...

I also got some cute pictures...

Waiting to enter, with Mary





Grady is a big star!













So many friends came to tell him what a great job he did after the show, and I know that just made his day. He has been talking to me about wanting to do more theater, so we may try to get him involved in the South Carolina Children's Theater. My little ham!