We are heading to Utah tommorrow morning, yeah! I will try to update while gone but it looks a little slim.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year! Please be safe and enjoy your time with your families!
We heard of this great house that has Christmas lights that music goes along with it, so ventured out and went to it. And....it was pretty cool. Caden loved it, and it was pretty impressive. Here are some pics from it.
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So, almost no one(okay, not one, not even us) gets to be here at Christmas. So I'd let you step into our house for a minute to feel the warm cozy christmas feeling we feel until we leave to utah.
Our Christmas Countdown
A wreath I did all by myself(pat on the back)
We make snow because it won't happen here and we need it at Christmas time.
Christmas kitchen
Warm and Fuzzy right?
our christmas tree, Caden wanted to be ina ll the pictures
Garland Up close and personal
Our beautiful Nativity Scene
We decided Caden's love for trains and love for the Polar Express were worth a trip to Chattanooga, TN. 
So, we headed there, it was a nice drive. We got there had some time to kill and looked around the shop(we got Caden a sweet wooden train whistle) and museum.
Then it was time to hand in our tickets and board.
We took our seats and Caden knew it was going to be awesome. 
We had a little conductor lady who had the sweetest voice, and Caden was bouncing off the walls with excitement. 
They had elves who helped out.
We sang some Carols and then the hot chocolate guy came out(actually yoo-hoo and gingerbread cookies, but great!)
Sweet Caden, as soon as he got his yoo-hoo he put it under the seat.
**For those that have not seen the movie the girl gets a hot chocolate and puts it under the seat to save for a boy on another car, that wouldn't be getting one. so sweet.
The the sweet lady tells the story of the Polar Express.
Then we finally reached the North Pole. Santa boards the train and sits and talks with each child. 
And gives them a bell.
We then headed back to the station.
Caden loved it and we thought it was great, the drive home went fairly quickly as well.
It was FREEZING cold-45
The ducks and geese were eager, starving and hissing
The kids came bundled and excited
The Wall-E cupcakes were a hit
And the presents were appreciated
Caden is now 3(fingers-if you ask him) and he loved and appreciated his birthday party, we missed all those that couldn't make it.
First off, when something is hugely popular ie. movie, book, clothing. It makes me panic and not want to go near it, you know like a store or event that you know is going to be unbelievably slammed who wants to go to that?
Secondly I am huge for always reading the book before seeing the movie and the book usually always wins.
Well, I went out with a good friend of mine Christina(Fabulous) for some girl time. We did the dinner, some Christmas shopping and then we were stumped so she suggested let's go see "twilight".
You saw my secondly point, right?? So, against my better judgement and I went and....................it was AWESOME! I loved it, and cannot wait to read all the books currently reading number 1. I thought Edward was so barfy when they all said he was so hot, well I'm now converted, he's so cute!
I thought it was very entertaining and i guess I can't be disappointed because I have nothing to compare it to. So, I highly suggest going and seeing it whether you've read the books or not.
That is what rolls down my cheek as I type this. My little chubby happy baby has grown to the ripe age of 3. Today he turned 3(3 fingers according to him) This age is so fun and so hard at the same time. I love that he knows that it's his birthday, his day to shine and for mommy to spoil him rotten, I almost didnt put him down for a nap, but come on we can't be to crazy. Each year he gets older it makes me just love him more and it makes me remanice about the earlier days which then leads to making me love hime even more.
I love my little man and I wouldn't trade a thing in the world for him!
Birthday
1st Birthday 
2nd Birthday
3rd Birthday
**I'll post pics of the wall-e party tomm!
5 years ago today(yesterday) I married someone I loved very much but did not know everything about, yes we had dated for quite awhile but at 18 you dont know what you should be looking for in a husband I just knew I loved him. well.....I got lucky. So lucky that qualities I didnt know I should be looking for.
Such as motivation, optimism. Eric has so many qualties and he balances me out(except for anger, we both kinda have a short fuse-watch out).
He's so uplifting and supportive and kind.
I'm so grateful for him and for the wonderful husband he is.
I love his funny quirks and I love his big beautiful smile!
So, yeah to us 5 years!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Eric's parents came and visited us for the weekend. They flew in Thanksgiving morning and it was such a wonderful day. I personally think the meal turned out great! And the turkey to my surprise turned out good(not that I like turkey). My husband is a great turkey carver and a sexy chef. 
While here Connie and Larry spoiled Caden rotten, he had presents to open everyday(christmas and birthday presents) And Grandma would take him toy shopping so he was a super happy kid. He would call Larry "Crampa" it's cute!
We're spoiled by them...they got us a Wii. Which much to our surprise rocks! Mario Kart!
We went bowling which is great! Caden always wanted it to be his turn, he enjoyed himself.
We ended the trip with a little ride to the Animal Safari, it was raining and cold but we still had a great time feeding all the animals and getting drooled on. Eric had an elk lay its head in his lap and Connie got slobbered on feeding a buffalo.
We have a lot to be thankful for this year:
Our Families
Our ward and the opportunity we get to serve in it
Friends
And most of all eachother
When we had Caden almost 3 years ago my mom gave Caden a blue teddy bear that you pull a string and it played music. Well, as a newborn when caden would cry I would pull the tail and the music would soothe him and he would stop crying. Miracle at three weeks old. 
Well he loves that teddy, but as he got older he would start to chew on his beloved teddy and then the eyes we're getting loose, so i had to cut them off and sew the whole shut, same goes for it's musical tale and nose. I know a sad story he slowly looses it parts. But despite him looking slightly creepy Cadens love never wavered. 
Well, I thought teddy was looking pretty ragged and pretty tore up. So, I proposed the idea of getting a new teddy, and Caden went with it(I'm totally shocked). We went and Caden picked out a new teddy today.
So, lo and behold the new teddy. Caden seemed okay saying goodbye to old teddy. And pretty happy and hopeful of his and new teddy's future together.
And yes, that is chocolate from a cookie all over Caden's face..
So, your thoughts do I save and keep old teddy as a keepsake or throw the old thing out? ( I kind of want to keep it, Eric thinks we should toss it)
So....
last year we went to Warm Springs for our Anniversary, and we enjoyed ourselves(minus the dinner). Well, we heard they have a special candle lighting weekend, and it sounded so Christmassy(yes, that's a word...i made it up). So we went.
It was wonderful, as we drove there, we sang to Christmas music(Eric included, he totally caught the bug already, shocker!). As we pulled up to the main street that was all lit up with beautiful Christmas lights, I rolle down the window, and I started to get all misty, there was a big group of carolers singing to the crowds "Baby, its cold outside" my favorite! I was so excited I could have popped out right there, but held onto my patience until we parked.
We bundled C Man
(who thinks when he's wearing his hat and jacket-that he is a snowman) and we were off. There is all these little stores, which are so fun to look in. 
Caden wanted to take one of these kittens home. He loves them! Can you tell?
But Caden saw this old metal train and that was it, from then on everything was "where is the train?" 
So, we got to look around a little bit, and catch a little chill, we grabbed some delcious dinner at one of the little eateries(mmmmm.....chili) and then the high-light...........The train ride. 
This train is a lawn mower converted to look like a train and the guy who drives it around town, blows a train whistle. That was the best, riding next to Caden watching his face light up riding this train was priceless! 
So, there it is our Christmas tradition in Columbus... well Warm Springs actually.
Sidenote I could totally move there.
