Kickin' off the Christmas Season

Can it really be the beginning of December already? I seriously can't believe it! But since Thanksgiving is over we decided to kick of the Christmas season right away.

We just went and got our Christmas tree and I have to say, it's probably the prettiest tree we've had so far. 

These two were such little helpers! 

Here they are helping Dad get the tree out of the car. We cut it open and set it up and let it sit for a couple of days.

Sweet Bailey and Dad

On Thursday we headed up to Branson to go to Silver Dollar City. Silver Dollar City is currently doing their "It's a Wonderful Life" Christmas celebration. The park was all decked out. So many Christmas lights!!!

The whole park was decked out for Christmas and they had so many fun things going on for the season.

Tanner loved the poinsettias.

here's my little family at the entrance of the park

Isn't this tree gorgeous.

After walking around a bit we went down to the "Half Dollar Hollar" area and let the kids play. The carousel is always a favorite.

Tanner loved it. We rode it twice since we had it all to ourselves.

Bailey was also a big fan!

We then did the rope treehouse and the swings. Then we headed over to the "build-a-bear" shop and let Bailey build her first silver dollar city animal.
She eventually chose a dog- shocker!- and then we had it stuffed. She snuggled it the rest of the night.
Then we rode the train all around the park.
It was so awesome. They had a nativity scene set up and they told the story of Christ's birth. I just loved it. It's so nice to see some things are still Christ-centered.
Here's Bailey and Dad on the train.
The train took us all around and we saw lots of lights. 

Some of the lights. There were sooo many!

my little family on the train. Bailey was pretty tired at this point- but clearly Tanner was wired!!!

Then our "mommy & me" playgroup friends arrived and we met them to watch the Christmas parade. It was so fun. We saw Frosty, Santa and then at the end Jesus in the manager.
Here we are in front of that big tree. In the dark it was all lit up and the lights danced to music and changed colors. It was awesome.

Our entire group. So fun!

After watching the tree for a bit longer we decided to get some dinner. After eating, we walked around some more and then stumbled on this "Frosty the Snowman" show. It immediately caught Tanner's attention and we sat down to watch the rest.

Tanner was completely mesmerized!!!

Bailey and I watching the snowman show.

Then we went to the Ball park. Tanner loves this part of Silver Dollar City because he it has the ball guns to play with. You load balls in them and then shoot them across the park. So fun!

We played a bit more at one of the play grounds and then called it quits.
It was only 8 pm but we were all tired.

one look of main street as we were leaving. SOOO many lights.

It was such a gorgeous night. I couldn't believe how warm it was the whole time- high 50's and low 60's the entire time. Lights everywhere and perfect weather- couldn't have asked for more.
I love the Christmas season. There are so many fun things and I plan on doing all of them with my sweet kids!

Still to come- our "North Pole Kick off Breakfast for Dinner"