Someone Celebrated A Birthday Today...

Yes, someone celebrated a birthday today...and his name is Caden! He will be two years old tomorrow. Family and friends gathered today for..."A Handy Manny Birthday Party"!

Caden was dressed in his #2 Handy Manny birthday shirt, his Handy Manny socks, and he even had a little yellow birthday hard hat, but I couldn't get him to wear it for me while I took his picture.

This was one of the few times that Caden actually broke out in a smile--when he opened this "Talking Salty" train. I think he loved it!

"MiMi" and "E-pa" gave him this giant Tonka dump truck--which he decided that he needed to ride in.

And his cousin, Landon, was happy to give him a push! Weeeee.....One funny moment was when Caden opened a gift of rain boots and a rain coat, and asked "Where's the toy?"

In the end, it took all three, Mama, Daddy, and Caden, to blow out that birthday candle! Happy birthday, little man!

By the end of the party, Caden was so tired that he layed down to play. He really liked this Thomas the Train set, too. Handy Manny and Thomas were definately the favorites at this little boy's birthday party.

I've finished Cade's video montage, and I'll post it tomorrow--in honor of his actual day of birth!

The Lighted Christmas Parade...

One of our annual Christmas traditions has always been to attend at least one Christmas Parade. We quickly discovered that we prefer the "magic" of an evening lighted parade.

For the second year in a row, we attended the Jesup Christmas Parade. In spite of temperatures dipping below freezing lately, the weather warmed up on Saturday, and it was actually quite pleasant.

Although we didn't actually plan it ahead of time, all of our family ended up at the parade. We managed to find each other, and the grand kids got to enjoy viewing the parade together, while we enjoyed watching the grandchildren watching the parade!

I took a few photographs, but they didn't turn out very good. It looks like it's raining or snowing in this one, but it wasn't doing either! I thought the photo has a magical look though.

This float always signifies the end of the parade. It's the same every year--with Santa and his reindeer on top. I found it interesting that Mrs. Claus was riding on a separate float! What's up with that?

We always enjoy our Christmas outings, and this year was no exception. I'm hoping to take in the light display at Guido Gardens one evening, and perhaps one other daytime Christmas Parade--in addition to attending a birthday party for a special little boy on Saturday! Busy times, but good times!

Someone's About To Turn Two...

I can't believe it's almost been two years since this little guy made his entrance into this world! I was hosting a Christmas lunch for my husband's co-workers at the hospital when the call came that he would be arriving that afternoon.

I left the food in the care of my husband, hopped in the car, and headed to the hospital to wait for the birth. Within a couple of hours, our little baby boy, Caden, had arrived!

I'm hard at work, making a little video montage for Caden. I can't believe how he's grown and changed over the past 24 months! So many memories...I'll share it with you when I get it finished!

Once again, pardon my blogging absence, as I prepare for a birthday--in addition to preparing for Christmas. It's a busy time!

Everything Old Is New Again...

The other evening our favorite curly haired little girl, Madison, and her family came over for a visit. It was at the end of another busy day of school and dance for Madison.

On this particular evening, she came over to watch an old Christmas classic tale with us. A show that we've viewed many times over the years with her mother, and our other children while they were growing up.

This year, the show was remastered in "HD", but everything else was the same. Sam the Snowman, the misfit toys, the elf who wanted to be a dentist, and of course, the reindeer with the shiny red nose! Have you figured out which show we watched?

If you guessed "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" you guessed correctly, and guess what? I still remember all of the songs by heart!

Turkeys...

I'm sorry that I have been MIA for a few days. I just found it impossible to keep up two blogs and take care of all of the Thanksgiving activities...I guess I'm getting old.

I couldn't let Thanksgiving pass without sharing these adorable turkeys that Madison and her mother made a few days ago.

Brandy always says she's not "crafty", but I don't agree. She used parts of a magnolia tree, and pine cones to make these adorable turkeys--an idea that she came up with on her own.

I wasn't home the day that the girls made their turkeys. When I returned home, I asked Madison what she had been doing. Madison told me that she'd been making turkeys with her mama. Then she said "But I don't know why we've been making turkeys!" Ha Ha Leave it to a child!

Another funny thing happened concerning Thanksgiving and the turkey. On Thanksgiving Day, Madison came into the kitchen just about the time my husband was going to carve the turkey. Keep in mind that she had been watching the commercial for Swanson's chicken broth on television--you know, the one where the turkey leaves the shopping cart and runs away from the "no name broth"...

Well, Madison took one look at that smoking turkey on the table, and asked "What is that?" When her mama told her it was the turkey, she looked disturbed. It took some coaxing to convince her that the turkey was NOT going to "get" her! Shame on those Swanson people and their commercial! Come to think of it, it was kind of spooky seeing that dead, raw turkey running around the grocery store!

Disney Princesses On Ice...

I'm a little late in posting these pics from Disney on Ice, but better late than never, right?
I learned one thing that evening, it's very difficult to photograph moving ice skaters, in the dark, with spotlights shining on them! What a challenge! I can't begin to tell you how many out-of-focus, pictures of their backs that I ended up with--but I did get a few half decent shots--and I took over one hundred!

My husband took this shot of the three of us girls waiting for the show to begin. Madison wasn't ready...as you can see! I was sitting there enjoying the coolness of the arena! I'm hot-natured, so the coolness was wonderful...

Of course, the show began with Mickey and Minnie as the hosts. They are Madison's favorites!

This is a shot of some of "Aladin". There were some neat stunts and props--including a magic carpet ride, and a very large magic lamp!


I love these silly little dwarfs. They were so cute!



The evil old witch...trying to get Snow White to take a bite of that HUGE apple!

Beauty and the beast...skating around on the ice. I'd hate to have to skate in that costume!

Cinderella and her wonderful prince--at the end of a skating routine.

A scene after the grand finale, just before the curtain closed. So many beautiful costumes to see!

Below is a photograph that I took of Madison, while she watched the show. You can tell from her expression that she thought the show was "awesome"! I thought it was pretty awesome, too!

I really loved the show. I think that there is still some "little girl" inside of me, because I still love those princesses, too! I loved watching all of them come to life on ice, and of course, I loved the happy endings, too!

Six Word Saturday...November 20

My six words for today are:

Gone to see Disney On Ice!

When we discovered that the Disney Princesses were going to be featured on Disney on Ice this year, we knew it would be a good year to go. Granddaughter, Madison, loves all of the Disney Princesses!

It's been over twenty-five years since I've been to an ice show, so I'm kind of excited to be going. My husband and I are going as "tag alongs" with Madison and her parents! Pictures to follow shortly!

Thanks to Cate for hosting this fun meme each Saturday!