Southern Lights, A Christmas Tradition

The tradition started in 2010,

Rhett was a teeny baby so we just took Case the first year.

 

We go out to dinner, then head for the Horse Park

for the Southern Lights driving tour,

then we head inside to meet SANTA!

 

This year we took the boys to Fazoli's

(one of Case and Mommy's favorites)

While finishing up dinner, Case threw a curve ball at us.

 

"Case, what are you going to ask Santa for, for Christmas?"

"Hmm, I'm going to tell him a secret, and you can't know till we get there!"

 

Umm. Yay for Santa.

 

As we arrived at the lights,

we unbuckled the boys from their car seats

and let them ride in our laps for a better view.

 

They were so stinkin' cute this year,

"LOOK MOMMY!!!"

"LOOK A DINOSAUR!"

"LOOK A PENGUIN!"

"LOOK DADDY LOOK!"

 

 

We arrived right when they opened,

 so thankfully the line to see the guy in the big red suit wasn't too bad.

The boys seemed so excited in line,

right before it was our turn,

we let them hop out of the stroller,

both boys still seemed very excited.

Rhett was laughing and jumping up and down,

Case was trying to get a better look...

 

 

 

Well,

then it was time to actually go sit on Santa's lap...

You could tell Case was nervous, but he hopped right up,

Rhett panicked. You could see his face change,

then came the freak out. ;)

 

Case had a smile plastered to his face, and kept giggling that nervous giggle.

Mommy and Daddy decided to get in on the picture, so Rhett would at least sit for a second.

 

 

 

Definitely not the best picture in the world,

but Case got to tell Santa, that he wanted

"Hungry hungry hippos and power ranger stuff!"

(and Santa was very thankful there weren't any new requests!)

Rhett told Santa he wanted candy,

but I think it had more to do with the big basket of candy canes next to Santa's chair.

 

Both boys got a candy cane, and were happy campers.

We headed outside,

checked out the camel, and the animals they had set up,

then Daddy suggested riding the Choo choo train!

 

It's a cute little train, that's completely open,

and it was fa-reezing.

Memories though right? Memories.

 

:)

 

 

We asked a sweet lady to take our picture before we headed out,

there was one last stop before heading home!

 

The fire station on our way home,

we only lasted for one song this year,

the boys were exhausted,

we kept hearing,

"Mommy, I wanna go hoooommmmeee"

from a certain 3 year old in the back seat.

 

 

We had so much fun with our little guys,

thankful for these yearly traditions,

I love looking forward to them,

and LOVE that the boys know we are going to do this each year,

makes it so much more special!

 

...and just for fun, a quick glance back!

 

2010

Little bitty!

 

 

 

2011

(Look at those baby faces! Rhett still looked terrified then too ;)

 

2012

(we didn't go in for Santa last year, as we went coming straight home for Ashland!)