Meet Buddy...

This Christmas season, a new friend has come to visit and reside at the Johnson house.  Meet Buddy the Elf :)

Now that Cole is old enough, we began the 'Elf on the Shelf' tradition.  If you haven't heard of this cute Christmas activity, here's a brief overview...

First, you must purchase the Elf on the Shelf book kit (my mom found a great deal at Hallmark before Thanksgiving).  All kits have the same book but have different elves to choose from (dark/light hair, brown/blue eyes, dark/light skin, etc.  Michael wishes the elves could look more 'manly', but hey...you take what you get).  Then, the evening of November 30, while the kids are sleeping, you take out the elf and place him somewhere in your home.  When the kiddos wake, you say that a new friend has come from the North Pole to visit for a month.  After they find the elf, you bring out the book to read.  In a rhyming, sing-song pattern, the book explains what the kids must do:  they must give the elf a name, refrain from touching him (he might loose his magic if touched by human hands!), look for him each morning when they wake, and be GOOD because the elf reports to Santa every evening when they sleep.  How cute is that!?!?  The elf then leaves for good on December 24...until next year!

Cole has loved searching for Buddy (name from the movie "Elf"...we thought it was fitting) every morning.  Buddy's been on the light fixtures, swinging from the ceiling fan, in stockings, atop the Christmas tree, and other fun places.  He's has been pretty tame thus far, but I think it's time for him to create some mischief.  A few friends of mine also have elves visiting their homes...their elves have rolled the kiddos rooms, had marshmallow snowball fights during the night, and ransacked Christmas cookies :)

All in all, it's just a fun tradition to keep while the little ones are young and still full of wonder.  Remember to be GOOD this season...you never know who's watching!

Merry Christmas! 

Opryland Tradition

Christmas time is full of traditions for all of us.  Whether it's where you spend the holiday, a special Christmas menu, favorite baked goods, reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve, etc., we all have certain things that make the season more meaningful and special to our families.  A favorite tradition for our family is strolling around Opryland Hotel and looking at all the beautiful lights and Christmas displays.  Michael and I got engaged at the hotel, and it's extra-special to spend time in a place that is so dear to us.

  

We usually eat at one of the restaurants in the hotel before we stroll, but since we're all trying to save a little $$ these days, I fixed a taco soup supper for everyone at our home.  Papa, Gigi, Kyle, Michael, Cole, and I enjoyed dinner and then we all loaded up and headed to Primrose to pickup Laura.  From there, we were Opryland bound :)

 

With Cole's light and tree fascination, he was in heaven as we entered the hotel...the joy and wonder on his face was priceless as new displays awaited us in every nook and around every corner.  We also had the pleasure of seeing the Rockabilly concert (Cole cried when we left...he LOVES music!) and the water show in the Delta.

We spotted the Rockabilly concert from afar and finally found a great place to watch the show.

Enjoying the fountain.  What a beautiful water display that moved to the music!

The inside lights were magical (as always), but there's something so beautiful about the outdoor Nativity.  Yes, it was FrEeZiNg outside, but we all spent just a moment admiring the all-white display of the true meaning of Christmas.  Along with the Nativity, we just had to see the 'big' tree as Cole calls it.  He saw it from Briley Parkway and couldn't wait to see it up close.  Even now, we have to look at pictures of it on our computer and in last year's photo book :)

I'll be posting about more traditions we enjoy and pray that you are savoring every moment of the season with your family as well.

Merry Christmas! 

Capitol Tree Lighting

This year we had the opportunity to head downtown for the annual State Capitol tree lighting.  We probably wouldn't have thought twice about it, but my dad was helping a gentleman bring his reindeer and said that we should come along.  With Cole's adoration of Christmas trees, and the promise of good weather, we agreed :)  

On Monday evening, we drove to the Capitol building, parked, and made it in time to hear the Kids Rock band play/sing, hear a speech from Governor Bredesen, and let Cole pat Santa's reindeer before they flipped the switch for the tree.  Hot cider and cookies were also available which added such a 'cozy' feeling to the evening.

  

Governor Bredesen had asked all the kids to come up front and help him count down to the lighting so Michael took Cole.  It was so cute listening to him count 10-9-8, etc...but instead of shouting 'Happy Holidays' at the end (as instructed by the Governor), Cole yelled out 'Blast Off!'.  HA!!

We had such a fun night (I even hear I made it on the news!) and hope to go again next year.

Lights, Lights, Lights!

Although the new favorite this holiday for Cole are Christmas trees, the lights run a close second.  We ventured to the famous light display once again on Hwy 109 a few nights ago with Papa and Gigi for some twinkling fun.

Cole loved all the lights, but did not like driving through the 'tunnel'...go figure :)

Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Cole greeted them with a Ho-Ho-Ho and was excited about the candycane he received in return.

Hi Frosty!

O Christmas Tree

It's that time of year again...trees, lights, Christmas music in the air, hot chocolate by the fire, gift-wrapping, candy canes, and the list goes on.  We love the Christmas season at the Johnson house, and it's quickly becoming more and more treasured as Cole grows and experiences the joys of this wonderful holiday.

Last year, Cole was all about the Christmas lights.  We'd be driving down the road and he'd yell "There's some!" as Michael and I jumped sky high from his sudden outburst :)  This year, he loves the lights (we've already driven through TBN numerous times), but his new 'obsession' is the Christmas tree.  We walked into Belk the day after Thanksgiving and he started screaming "There they are!  They are sooo beautiful!".  The stares from onlookers quickly turned into laughter and 'he's so cute!' phrases once they realized the source of his excitement.  

Needless to say, decorating the tree has been a favorite this year.  We've decorated Gigi's Christmas tree, 4 trees at our home, and ventured downtown last night to watch the tree lighting at the Capitol - complete with Santa's reindeer, music, hot cider, and cookies.  You would think his favorite Christmas carol would be O Christmas Tree, but I guess Jingle Bells trumps  it all :)

Decorating Gigi's Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving

I love how he put all the ornaments on the bottom :)

Decorating the main tree in the living room at our home...pre-lit...hallelujah!  Our tradition is to buy an ornament for the tree on all of our vacations and travels to various places.  They include...

* St. John/St. Thomas - honeymoon

* Atlanta Bed and Breakfast - 1st Anniversary

* Maui, Hawaii - 2nd Anniversary

* Las Vegas

* Savannah, GA / Tybee Island

* Gulf Shores / Beach Club

* Biltmore Mansion

* Gatlinburg

* Grand Canyon

* Key West

* San Antonio

* New York / Philadelphia

* Historic homes in our area - Cragfont, Rock Castle

We can't wait to add many more!

This tree also boasts all of our 'firsts'...first Christmas as a married couple, first year Michael coached and won the National Championship, first year I taught, Cole's first Christmas, etc.

A new tradition we began with Cole is to buy him a new ornament every year that depicts a name of Christ.  His first name, Nathanael, means 'Gift of God', and since Jesus was the greatest gift ever given, we thought it would be fitting to go with this theme.  I'm making a book that lists the year, the ornament given, the name of Christ it represents, and a correlating Scripture verse.  This will be wrapped and given to Cole (along with all of the ornaments) when he gets married.  

Last year, we began the theme with a Nativity.  Etched on the ornament is the name King of Kings.  This year, the ornament is a beautiful cluster of glass grapes.  It will represent "I am the vine, ye are the branches".

The gingerbread man tree for the kitchen.  My mom and I made all the little gingerbread ornaments one year in Gatlinburg.  We baked the dough and then painted them once they hardened :)

Cole's tree for his room...complete with 'sporty' Santas and fun kid ornaments.  I'm going to look for a bigger tree during the after-Christmas sales...one that will hold our Thankful chain (see previous post) and many ornaments that he will be making over the coming years.

The bonus room tree - a favorite of mine.  My grandmother (Mom G) made all the ornaments on this tree.  They are cross-stitched symbols that represent names and origins centered around Jesus Christ.  The symbol is on the front with the meaning handwritten on the back.  She also made a set for my mom and for Laura.  They are beautiful and will be a treasure to pass down through the generations.

Have fun trimming the tree and making memories with your family!