Look a Snowman! What's he doing here?

Look! A snowman! I asked him what he was doing here, we don't get many snowmen on the coast. He said he was an advanced scout, he's heard it's been very cold here lately and they wanted it checked out. He's thinking about inviting his snow buddies to join him here. One snowman is very cute, but more than one might just be too cold.

Shoreacres Lights

The fourth graders from Riley's school all sang at the Shoreacres Holiday lights today. After they were done singing we walked around the park & looked at all the lights. These mushroom lights are at the pond.

My new lighted frog friends are also at the pond. They have butterflies, turtles, snails, worms, and lots of different birds done in lights. There are also several "animated" lights:Orca Whale, Blue Whale, pelicans, frogs jumping into the pond, seals diving off the rocks-but these don't show up well in still pictures.

Here we are in the gardener's house looking out the 2nd story window. You can see just about all the lights from here, but the picture didn't turn out well because the window is kinda frosted up. It's really cold here on the coast right now.

Here is the other bedroom. They've got it made up like a kids room, with lots of toys (especially teddy bears) around. Just wait til you see the tree!

Here is the tree! Notice all the bears amongst the ornaments. This was my favorite room in the house. They even had a little tea set for tea parties!

Here is the scene at the entrance...it's like being underwater.

And here is the giant clam that sits just outside the gardens. There's animated dolphins swimming around the clam, but they didn't show up in the picture. There's also some animated crabs moving around that are cute.

Ashleigh discovers the true reason for Christmas

Michelle says that there is more to Christmas than Santa & presents. She takes me to what she calls a Nativity Scene. There's a stable, a couple of angels, a shepherd, a donkey, a cow, a couple of sheep, some wise men, a daddy, a mommy, and a baby. She tells me the story of how the mommy & daddy (Mary & Joseph) came to Jerusalem looking for lodging and were turned away everywhere but at a stable. That was were baby Jesus was born. The angels came and brought the shepherds. The wise men came following a star...

She took me to another Nativity Scene. I look down at the baby Jesus & I think I get it.

I met Santa!

Look it's Santa Clause! I promise I've been a very good bear this year Santa!

And Mrs. Clause! What an honor to meet you Ma'am.

Everybody smile for the camera! Did you get my letter?

Our Christmas wreath arrived today!

Look how huge & cool (or is that Yule) it is! It's very fragrant also, but it's a good fragrance. We immediately hung it on the front door.

Christmas Bears!!

Wow! Look as some of the Christmas Bears (and Moose & Penguin) that Michelle has. We have a lot by Ty-both Attic Treasures & Beanie Babies, a cute Boyd's Moose, and an adorable bear dressed as a Gingerbread man by Russ. One is dressed as Santa Clause, one is an angel, and the rest have festive hats and scarfs.

Michelle even got me a Christmas Bear plate to sit by my little tree, which is still lacking a star on top, ah-hem.

Christmas Trees!!!

We love Christmas trees at our house & have several. This is a live tree that Michelle bought today...the planter is one from a previous year. Oh, and how do you like my Santa dress? I think I'm rockin' it.

This is the family Christmas tree this year. We have a kitten & then there are the puppies & we didn't figure the big tree would survive the holiday with out getting knocked over a lot. Michelle has several antique glass bulbs that have been in her family for generations & she'd like to continue the tradition. So, we opted for the smaller tree & all handmade ornaments (read unbreakable). Michelle even made the angel for the tree top. I like this tree & hope it'll be used next year even if the big tree makes a come back.

Here is the little tree that Michelle surprised me with for my basket. It has little red balls all over it & it has been frosted. Michelle has an idea for a star for the top, I'll make her post a picture when she gets it finished.