Vi's Christmas 2011 Rewind

Vi left Santa some tasty treats: a slim jim, orange juice, cheese, coconut bonbon, and a lemon cookie

"Santa" gets lovin' from his girls!

Christmas breakfast.  Vi's favorite is homemade pancakes with sprinkles.  She asked Santa for this Baby Rudolph and he delivered.  Aren't they cute together?

Christmas 2011 was one of the best Christmases I can remember.  It was really fun to have a bubbly 3 year old to help sing Christmas carols and decorate.  She was more excited that we were about the holidays.  It was really like having our own Buddy the Elf around the house.  I can't wait until next year!

On Christmas morning, we opened gifts.  One thing that happened (but not pictured) is that Santa left Vi a treasure map in her stocking.  Drawing treasure maps is a daily pastime of Vi's, so of course she followed all of the clues and found her big present, a LeapFrog Leapster game (kinda like a game boy but for toddler learning games).  She really has enjoyed learning letters and numbers with it.

After all of the normal Christmas morning activity, we loaded up the car and drove to Meridian, Mississippi.  Why, you ask?  This was our bump in the road before making it to New Orleans.  We had a lovely Christmas Dinner of Waffle House - barf, but Vi kept us laughing by taking care of "Precious" her dog that Santa gave her.

It's looking a lot like Christmas!

 Pajama Christmas Party Day at school

Vi's inability to sit still and energy level never cease to amaze me, even when surrounded by other 3 and 4 year olds.  The little boy beside her kept talking about how much he loved napping and that it's good to rest.  Kids are hilarious!

Santa came to town!

 Vi was very happy with her treat from Santa.  She had a "Buddy the Elf" breakfast of chocolate donuts and candy canes at the Breakfast with Santa.

 Vi is ready for her preschool Christmas program.  I love this little outfit on her.  Her favorite songs this year are "Little Drummer Boy" and "Feliz Navidad."

My goofballs.

 Vi's amazing teacher, Ms. Melissa!

 Waiting to see Santa Claus

 So, Vi was enthusiastic this year to see Santa but got a case of stage fright right before we went to talk to him.  She later drew him a picture and sat on his lap to have a chat, but we didn't get a picture.... there's always next year!

Excited to share her Christmas list with Santa: a Rudolph reindeer, a baby doll, play-doh and hopscotch.

TN Vols Homecoming - the game!

Vi's first visit to Neyland Stadium was a hit, she even made it onto the field with no problem.

The Pride of the Southland band gets two thumbs up!

 

 Vi took this picture, not bad.

 

 We made memories, and ate lots of popcorn.

Go Vols!

Vi got her face painted at the alumni dinner, thanks Daddy for giving in.  The face paint is like air-brushed make-up, so no mess.  She cried the next morning after the game when she realized we had wiped it off when she slept.

TN Vols Homecoming

 The Smokey sighting we had after the parade was awesome, he is soooo soft!

 Vi and Caroline gear up for the Little Vol Walk in the homecoming parade.  Caroline said, "Go Vols!" while Vi said "War Eagle!" WRONG TEAM, VI!

 The KD girls in the crowd loved our sign and asked for pictures, they were a big hit!

They had so much fun together, ahhhh memories at Neyland Stadium

Happy Halloween!

It's Halloween!  I don't recognize these kids in my garage.

Ready to trick-or-treat

We saw a few Minnies out, but Vi really was the cutest one :)

Cruze Farm Pumpkin Patch

Adults and kids alike had a great day on our pumpkin patch visit this year near Kodak, TN

 We learned that Vi could have a future career in churning milk for butter, she loved this thing!

Vogue, strike a pose, even if you are on a farm (with Caroline!)

 Our friend France's family runs the farm; we had delicious Cruze family beef hamburgers and home-made ice cream from their dairy.  So yummy!

Family photo

The brunettes with their blonde children (ha!) running to the car after a long day of FUN!