Lighting of the Christmas Tree at the Governor's Mansion

We were extremely delighted to make it this year to the Lighting of the Christmas tree at the Governor's Mansion. What a great event! The lighting ceremony takes place on the front steps of the mansion. The festivity was hosted by Governor and First Lady Perdue. The first floor of the mansion is opened to the public to enjoy the Christmas decor. I highly recommend touring the mansion. And the best part of the night----cookies and ciders were served for refreshments.

Here's William and Ed listening to Christmas carols as we wait for the Governor to welcome the crowd.
Picture with Santa. We missed Mrs Claus who was there as well. William kept saying, "He big". They were both really tall and big!

Family picture in front of the Mansion's Christmas tree.

How beautiful is it!

Time to tour the mansion. I LOVE the theme for the dining room. Candyland!
Very pretty Gingerbread House.The Candy Shoppe Buffett. Yum!

Christmas tree at the stairwell.

A more formal tree. I love the Gold and Red theme. William's favorite tree. He wanted to play soooo bad with the train.A family picture taken by this sweet gentleman before we meet the Governor and First Lady.

With First Lady Mary Perdue.

With Governor Sonny Perdue.

Guess who we ran into. The Lim family. Karen was actually the one who told me about the event. Thanks Karen! We really enjoyed it.

The Mommies with their kiddos.We had sooo much fun! I'm so glad that we live in a beautiful city and state that allows us to enjoy festivities like this. I really loved it when the First Lady said that Mansion is the Georgians home. I can sense that she really means it.

As Seen on TV Gift Exchange

This year, the As Seen on TV products are the hottest items in the market. Target, Walmart, Bed and Beyond are selling them left and right. Perfect gift theme for this year's gift exchange. Everybody was soooo excited! What's not to love in receiving a very useful gift (Bwahahaha). Heather was sick so the Holzi's missed the party but they were definitely in our thoughts and were missed a bunch!

Mike is the newest homeowner among our group and he graciously opened his house for us to have the party. Look, he even put up the Christmas tree just in time for our event.
Mike with Monica and Kara

Didn't had the chance to take pictures of our dinner but I promised it was muy delicioso!

Here's Clint with his Magnetic Dartboard (from Kara) Denny with his Big Slider Station for Mini-burgers (from Clint)

Ed with his Heli Toy (from Denny) Kara with her Perfect Brownie (from Monica)
Mike with his Touch n Brush handsfree toothpaste dispenser (from Donna)Monica with her Chopper (from Heather) Me with my Steam Buddy (from Darren)Here are the kiddos playing. I know I've said this so many times but they really are good friends---takes turn with toys, hugs each other, laugh and play. Amazing how special their relationship is. It's adorable!Watching Up together.
The boys with their usual car bomb shots.

Hmmm....Kara made this dessert. Isn't it pretty? It was so good too!

A group (minus the Holzis) picture. We had so much fun and is so glad to be able to spend some holiday cheers with good friends! Monica and Clint, thanks for making the trek from Dothan.

Pink Pig '09

When you have your own kid, the holidays just takes on a different meaning. Traditions are built and it's wonderful to see the spirit in your child's eye. We started our tradition of taking the annual trip to the Macy's Pink Pig last year. How could we not? A fun pink pig ride and it's literally 10 minutes away from our house :) We've seen the line for the ride loop around the mall so we decided to go first thing Saturday morning. The Loftins were visiting us so they decided to join us in their adventure. Clint and Ed were sooooooo excited (scarcasm) for this ride.

Here's Ed and William purchasing our tix.
William working the pink carpet.

A quick family picture before the ride.

The Loftins Our family all aboard

Enjoying our ride

William checking out the souvenir shop post ride.

One more picture with Clint and Monica in front of the big tent.

Thanksgiving Celebration

Busy Thanksgiving this year but extremely thankful to be able to spend it with family and friends.

Started off with a Thanksgiving luncheon at Mohammad and Wynell's house the weekend before Thanksgiving. This is basically an advance Christmas party for us since Rupel and Ashwin are expecting their lil boy close to Christmas.The turkey cooks....Wynell and Mohammad.The assistants---Rupel and Omayra :)Yummy food.Table all set up. A family picture with Mohammad and Wynell.

Soon to be parents.The girls!The the morning of Thanksgiving, Ed and I hosted my family for breakfast. My aunt and uncle were visiting from CA and we were able to spend some time with them as well.

Thanksgiving dinner was spent at my in laws house. More food!

Gobble! Gobble! My heart and belly was stuffed to the rim.