Family Fun: 25 Days of Christmas - Days 7 & 8 {Light Up Millbridge & Lawson's Cookies with Santa}

On Saturday we started our day with Fluff hot chocolates and Christmas shows all morning. We seriously stayed in jammies till like 2pm. I LOVED it!!



Then we went to dinner before heading to Light Up Millbridge event in Waxhaw.



Millbridge is a neighborhood next to the kids' elementary school. This year Waxhaw asked them to open the event up to the public and they obliged. So we went!! They have this cool bridge in the neighborhood that they cover in lights. It is beautiful to drive through.



Driving through the bridge and the lit ramada that led to Santa and a large lit Christmas tree in the center of the community.



Waiting in line to see Santa




They had a great Santa (except he doesn't look Jolly in this shot!!) and an awesome tree!



Below are photos of the lit Club house and the luminaries that line all the streets of the neighborhood.



We had a great time and appreciate their hospitality which also included Christmas carols, hot chocolate, coffee, cookies and candy canes. Thank you Millbridge! See you next year. On Sunday it was time for OUR neighborhood celebration here in Lawson!

It was great seeing friends there! We did crafts and had hot cocoa and cookies.



The Lawson Christmas tree. New families to Lawson were asked to hang an ornament on the tree with their family name and year we moved to the neighborhood. Here are the girls hanging our ornament.



Here is our key ornament. It says "First Christmas in our New Home 2013". I think I need to get another one for MY tree!



Photos with Santa (who arrived on a Waxhaw Fire Truck by the way!!)



What a fun day with neighbors and friends. The girls colored, made frames, had treats and cocoa!



We love living in Waxhaw and in such a Family friendly community. We are truly blessed!

Fun & Friends: Discovery Science Center Charlotte

Monday was Veterans Day, so NO school for my babies. Our tradition is to always spend these special days off doing something fun that we don't get to do often anymore. Today it was our FIRST trek into Charlotte for some fun. We headed to the Discover Science Center. AND the best part, was we didn't have to go alone. My friend Jonee joined me (and DROVE) and Ryen and Ella's friends Cate and Connor joined us. Here are some pics! I forgot my camera so I had to use my phone. urgh!

We started off by goofing off and having lunch in their cafe. It was pricey but healthy and the kids loved the picnic baskets you put all your goodies in.



Kids water explore area




This was cool! I want one for my house, ha ha!



"You're gonna hear me ROAR!"



Loved the colorful signage



Touching the starfish and crab



Future scientists at work??



Hi Fishies!



Goofing off before running and tiring themselves out all over the 3rd floor outside the IMAX theater



Welcome to the Rainforest!



Stopping before more sea life



Demonstration about optical illusions!



Me and my babies!!



They had so much fun and we didn't get to do everything there was!



We had so much fun and ended up buying a membership so we an come back again and again!! Who's coming with us next time, ha ha?

Friends: Saying Goodbye Part 1

So the hard part about starting a new life in a new City, is saying goodbye to the life you built in the one you were just in. I embraced Phoenix and thought it was my forever home. I planted my roots and watered them and established connections with neighbors, my community, my children's school and many wonderful friends. I am very blessed and will continue to call many of these people my friends. You are only as far away as you let yourself get in your heart and mind.

My neighbor Crissy had a going away gathering at her home for us the Friday before me moved. We got to say goodbye to everyone and the kids had a blast swimming and playing till way after dark! My husband said it best on Facebook:

"A big thanks to Michael Connors and his wonderful family for hosting our going away party last night. Almost 10 years of being neighbors to some of the best people I've had the pleasure of meeting. In their own ways they have all made my family and myself better people. You will be missed! I am blessed to call you all friends."




Some friends...


(Amber, Izzy, Rachel, Ella and Ryen)


(Amber, Ella and Rachel)


(Ryen and Sawyer)

The Ladies!


(Lisa, Crissy, Me, Emily, Sara, Teresa and Kathryn)

Some more ladies!


(Jackie, Vincent- photo bomb, Yolanda, Elissa, Holly and Me)

The Boyz!


(Mike, Jimmy, Craig and Brandon)


(Danny, Greg and Todd) Vincent for the photobomb again! WIN!


(Kevin, Tom and Brandon)

The goofballs!! ha ha


(Hudson, Kassidy, Ella and Sawyer)

We had some great times in this 'hood over the last 10 years! It was fun but sad saying goodbye to Cooper Corners East! We hope the family that bought our home has just as much fun living there, as we did. Thanks for the party guys!

Miss you all. xoxo