Nonnie and Poppie came in for an extended weekend and as always it was packed.  The kids wasted no time getting into a wrestling match with them followed by some fishing and crafts.

 

 

Friday night we ventured to the North Pole Express train to pick up Santa and got photo bombed my Minnie. 

After a stroll through the little village and a ride on the carousel, the train arrived and on we boarded.  The kids had on their new matching pj's that Grana sent out and their excitement grew with the passing of each minute.

 

After some caroling, cookies, and chocolate milk we pulled up to the North Pole where it was snowing and since we were in an orchard it smelled like reindeer.  Santa boarded and back to the station we went.

The kids flipped out when Santa came through the car and stopped to give them candy canes with the elves following with special golden jingle bells for them, even Nonnie and Poppie got one.

Heath was in awe watching Santa pass through while sucking on his candy cane still holding his ticket.

At first Daddy couldn't hear the bell but after they all rang it loudly in his ear he finally believed and could hear it again. (Daddy might've lost a little hearing afterwards but it's all good)

Afterwards we had a private meeting with Santa Clause where both Heath and Ashlyn asked for a race track and Reghan asked for a chocolate machine, all with their jingle bells tightly in their hands.

 

The next morning Ashlyn helped prepare the garlic and veggies for bbq and then her and Reghan helped bake cookies.

 

Our dear friends Anne and Brian came up with their little one Beatrice.  Although Nonnie and Poppie were happy to see Anne and Brian, what truly thrilled them was getting their hands on beautiful Bea.

And then we began the cookie attack.

While Bea was passed from hand to hand...

 ...with a little nip to keep her going...not really.

And the crazy final product.  I don't think there's many traditional cookies in there but damn they taste good.

The next morning was relaxing and welcomed.

 

 What a great way to travel.

 

All the while Tortilla's going on a week with us and is quickly becoming a full on member of our family.

 

Nonnie and Poppie brought the warmth and it'll be leaving with them but their final day here was so nice we couldn't help but stop at the beach for an outdoor lunch and stroll along the water.  There's something wonderful about sand between your toes.

With a final sign off from our bare bottomed beauty.