Fantasy of Trees 2011

The Fantasy of Trees took place over the Thanksgiving holiday, however,  since it is an event centered around Christmas decor, I thought I would share the photos we took while there in a post for today. Fantasy of Trees has become a tradition for many families here in East Tennessee, and it is one that we look forward to each year. All proceeds from the Fantasy of Trees goes to benefit East Tennessee Children's Hospital, so we feel like we are contributing to a good cause while gearing ourselves up for the holiday season. This year we toured the 5o's themed winter wonderland of trees with Mimi and G-Daddy. We all had a wonderful time looking at all the beautifully decorated trees, riding the carousel and doing other fun activities.

Crossing over Henley Street to the Knoxville Convention Center

Viewing the beautiful trees.

Posing with G-Daddy.

The Bearden Elementary 5o's themed tree.

Riding the carousel with Mimi.

Princess Sophie with G-Daddy.

Merry . . .

and bright!

Having a grand time with Mimi!

Face Painting.

Making Ornaments.

Mimi and G-Daddy!

Riding the Shults Pediatrics Horse

A Part in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

After watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," Emma-Caroline decided that she and Sophie needed to reenact the sleigh scene in which Max, the dog, serves as Santa Grinch's lone reindeer. Barkley, being the gentle soul that he is, obliged again as the reindeer in this little home spun reenactment. Maybe he will be cast as "Max" in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas II!"

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

St. Nicholas Day has always been a day I wish that I celebrated, but inevitably, I forget to celebrate it in the hustle and bustle of other Christmas time activities. It's a celebration that is sweet and simple with the remembrance of one real life man, Nicholas, who lived 300 years after Christ in the small town on Myra where he was a pastor. In the spirit of giving, Nicholas secretly gave a family three bags of gold coins during the night so that their daughters could marry with a dowry. He was a kind, gentle and giving man to all that he encountered especially children and he was later known to place small gifts in the shoes of children near the celebration of Christmas. My account of St. Nicholas is very brief and if you would like to know more you can find more information at this wonderful web site, http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/home/.  This year, we did celebrate St. Nicholas Day with a wonderful celebration at our church. Howie gave the girls and I the best gift of all by dressing as St. Nicholas. It was a wonderful celebration and truly got everyone in to the spirit.

A Visit with Santa Claus!

This year, the Avery House went to visit Santa Claus very early. This is perhaps because of the fact that we attempted to see Santa last year three times before actually getting to see him on almost the very last day that we could.

I vowed that we would NEVER again stand in line for almost three hours again to see Santa! So we went to see our jolly friend in the red suit as soon as he arrived from the North Pole.  Each year that we have been to see Santa, he has always been the same which is VERY nice for consistency sake.

I love this shot above with Emma-Caroline gently stroking the fur on Santa's suit. I had feared we were going to have another "mishap" with our visit to see Santa, when one of his helpers told the line that the computer was down and that we would not get photos. When I asked if I could take photos with my own camera she said , "No!" Really! Your computer doesn't work and I can't snap photos of my children with Santa? Luckily the computer magically started working again, and I was able to take photos legally with my own camera after a nice purchase of their photo too.

This year, Emma-Caroline and Sophie spent a considerable amount of time telling Santa everything they wanted him to bring them. It is the first year both have been very serious about their wish lists.

We also got to meet Papa Elf this year who entertained us with wonderful magic tricks while we waited for Santa. It was a very nice visit with our dear friend, Mr. Claus.

Wonder and Joy!

Naughty and Nice!

Looks like we have one of each in the Avery House this Christmas. Hope Santa will leave more than just sticks and lumps of coal in Sophie's stocking this year!

The Return of Deedle and Jingle!

The Avery House Elves have made their return!

 Yes, we have two elves, Deedle and Jingle who belong to Emma-Caroline and Sophie respectively.
 The excitement of Christmas has begun with our first elf siting on the dining room fireplace mantle. We LOVE our North Pole visitors this time of year and look forward to finding their new observation spot each day in our house.

 Did you know the elves now have Elf Couture? The fun never ends!

Reluctant Reindeer!

Christmas Ornament Idea

When it comes to decorating our Christmas tree we do a hodge-podge of ornaments collected from past Christmases. There is no theme for our tree except perhaps "Christmas Remembered." That's not to say that I don't think themed trees are truly awesome and wonderful. But when it comes to our tree, it is always a delight to pull out the ornaments that we have collected and to remember the years, places and people that surround each one. One of the things I began when the girls were each born, was to make pewter Snapfish ornaments of some of the photos of the girls with Santa or on our Christmas card, or original artwork done by the girls. The ornaments always turn out very nice and it is fun to look back on them each year. They are also very easy to make! Here are a few that we have made to add to our collection of ornaments in 2011. Emma-Caroline drew these pictures and then copied them so that Sophie could color a set too!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

          Yes, it is true the holiday season is upon us! Hard to believe, right? As I type this, I am sitting in my bathrobe (very rare for me) at 11:19am. No, I did not partake in the CRAZE of Black Friday. I never do. I actually have great anxiety when it comes to thinking of Black Friday. Shopping in big huge crowds of people looking for the BEST deals to be had really makes me almost hyperventilate. So I hold up here in my house of Black Friday and wait until Monday when the crowds have died down before even going to the grocery store. This year, I decided that I was going to get all of my Christmas shopping done in the first week in November. I accomplished my goal, and now I just need to wrap the presents that have been sitting in my closet for the past three weeks. We will pull the Christmas decor out of the attic today and begin our decorating for the holidays. This year, my real goal is to get to enjoy the season of Advent before Christmas. Since Advent begins this Sunday, I have plans for all the hustle and bustle to be mostly finished so that I can really take in the waiting and preparing that we do in Advent for the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas. It is here, this holiday season, and I am looking forward to really taking time to prepare my heart for it's true meaning in the celebration of Jesus' Nativity.

        Before the actual holiday season began, we made our annual trip to the Fantasy of Trees to benefit Children's Hospital. Here is a family photo of us in the wonderland of trees. Let the holiday decorating begin! Have a blessed weekend!

Thankful for Character

              Y'all where has November gone to? Next week at this time we will all be sitting down to a Thanksgiving dinner with families and friends and then one more week and November will make her last appearance for 2011. I feel the days are speeding by faster and faster as the holiday season approaches. This has been my hardest month thus far in keeping up with my 365 Project post, however, I do have lots of photos that will sneak their way in at some point in November. Today, though, I  don't want to sneak in a catch-up post because it's just too important.
              The week Howie and I left for Puerto Rico, we were invited by Emma-Caroline's school for a surprise presentation of an award for our girl at the Character Counts Assembly. Howie and I were both so proud of sweet Emma-Caroline when her name was announced by her principal, Mrs. Dunlap, and she shyly processed forward to receive her certificate for displaying all 6 pillars of Character in the Character Counts Program. Emma-Caroline is such a caring little girl who really strives to help others and be respectful to her peers and teachers while doing her personal best. She does so willingly and with humility, which does make a parent very proud. I am thankful for the character that Emma-Caroline displays to not only her classmates and teachers but also to all of us here in our home. We are blessed to have Emma-Caroline as our daughter!

 Receiving her award with her friends Julia and Parkey

 Parkey and Emma-Caroline

All of the first grade Character Counts award recipients and Mrs. Dunlap.

 Super excited!

Proud Daddy!

What a Ham!

Wishful Thinking

Miss Coral Maple

You all remember my favorite little tree, don't you? I think I have photographed her over this past year in all the seasons. She is quite a little beauty with her red trunk and limbs. Miss Coral is putting on quite the show at the present moment with one last leaf display before the November winds showcase her beautiful red trunk. I wish I could have y'all over to meet Miss Coral Maple. She is a sweet little Southern Lady and always dazzles her guests with amazing beauty!

Leaf Fun!

Since Halloween night, November has swirled in as rapidly as the leaves falling all around us here in East Tennessee. This has been a glorious fall and with the mild temperatures, sunny clear blue skies and beautiful foliage, it is no wonder that this is one of my most favorite times of the year. Posts have been scarce this past week, but as always I will catch up. The 365 finish line is here. I can see it and I am thrilled! Here is a little of the fun we have been having this wonderful Fall!

Tennessee Homecoming!

Sometimes a Cell phone camera is all you have. We went down to celebrate UT's Homecoming this year at the Law School with Howie. We took our little friend Mary Caroline. The girls had a great time eating barbecue and listening to Rocky Top before the game. Our Vols have not won many games this year but we still love them regardless!