Easter Sunrise Service

This morning I wanted the kids to experience an Easter Sunrise Service. I told them about the plan last night so that everyone could prepare. The last thing I wanted was crying kids on Easter morning. We woke up late and had about 15 minutes to all get ready and out the door. Talk about running a quick marathon. Let's just say I was glad that it was going to be an outdoor service mostly in the dark. What we were wearing and what we looked like weren't the priority. Getting there on time was!

The service itself was really nice. I would say there were close to 1000 people in attendance. It was really amazing to see so many people gathering to celebrate Easter. During the service they preached about New beginnings. As I walked away with the kids I was so incredibly thankful and felt so blessed for the new beginnings we have each and every day because of God's mercy.

I hope that when my kids remember Easter this year, they will not think of the chocolate bunnies, toys, and goodies that they got in their baskets. I pray that what they will remember is a beautiful sunrise celebrating the sacrifice that was made for them.

New Years Paper Chain

The Greeneteam ringing in 2011
2010 paper chain.. The we did it pile 37 this year, and the Keep dreaming pile 82
2011 New Paper chain.. ready to be stored until the first day of 2012

About five or six years ago we started making a New Years Day Paper Chain. On each link we post a goal, want, or dream for the new year. I always tell the kids "The sky is the limit, it is a New Year and anything is possible." This sometimes means that we get some pretty silly things on the chain.. Water Skiing with Dora the Explorer in Mexico was one I remember from Maddie several years back. So funny and was not obviously going to happen, but it went on the chain.

I have the paper pre cut and we go around the table as a family taking turns saying our hopes, dreams, and goals for the new year. A bucket list if you will. Once we run out of ideas or patience with the kids we sit the strips aside. Next we get out the old paper chain which I store in a garbage bag in the garage inside a bin marked New Years. This is where the fun part comes in. We take turns ripping off the chain links and reading the link out loud. We make a WE DID IT PILE, and a KEEP DREAMING PILE.

This Year for 2010 we completed 37 of the 119 paper chains. When you see the list it is pretty impressive and makes you feel like maybe you accomplished some dreams/goals after all.

Some of the ones completed this year: Summer family photo shoot, New family car, Seeing the Ocean for the first time, Horseback riding, Going to Sea World, Getting a Wii, Camping, Going to New Orleans, Floating down the Chattahoochee, Attending our first NFL game, Going away to camp, Visiting cousins in TX, Volunteering as a family, and watching the Sunset at a park.

Some of the ones that didn't make it sadly.. Losing weight, Kings Island, Getting a housekeeper, Buying a boat, Getting a new couch, A Tropical Vacation, French Doors, A massage Table, Riding the Goliath at Six Flags, Getting out of Debt, and Getting Hardwood floors.

In the end every time we do our New Years link we realize that we did indeed accomplish a lot. We put dreams and ideas on paper and they came true. It makes us feel like anything is possible in the coming year. Here's looking forward to seeing what 2011 has in store for us!!

New Years Eve Tree..

Happy New Years Eve!! This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love starting fresh, making goals and just feeling like the slate has been wiped clean. Of course it is also a huge Holiday and with that comes the traditional things that I do with the kids.

When my kids were really little my husband worked nights. I was always at home with the kids for the New Year. I decided early on that I might as well make it a party with the team because it was going to be the 5 of us for the long haul.

Our annual New Years Eve Tree is something that I came up with at least 4 or 5 years ago.

New Years Eve Tree.. 2011
New this year..mini presents to open at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00 pm..
The Greeneteam!! Looking forward to 2011!!

Basic idea:

Strip the tree of everything but it's lights.. Fill in all the big spaces with balloons. You need to be careful size wise because they will pop.. Next I fill in with clackers, noisemakers, tiaras, top hats, blowers, tinsel.. you name it. If it looks festive I am sure it will work.

2010 new twist..

We are alone this year for the first time in 3 years so I decided to add Presents to the mix. They are just small candy presents, but I know the team and they will be looking forward to the 9:00 hour to open the first one. I labeled 4 boxes each with a 9:00/10:00/11:00 small clock. Then I sat the presents in the tree. When 9:00 hits we will open the first one and then continue at the top of the next hour.

At about 5 minutes till midnight I let everyone strip the tree for hats, clackers, noisemakers etc to ring in the New Year. It is always funny to see how fast the tree gets emptied. Once midnight hits everyone cheers, clacks and makes as much noise as possible. They also get to pop all the balloons. Such fun!!

I love that this idea is a fun, inexpensive, and memorable way to spend New Years Eve with your family. Total tree cost is maybe $10 to $12 if shopping at the Dollar Tree..:) It looks fun and the kids love it.

Christmas in the Park

This weekend take the time to go to Christmas in the Park at Suwanee Town Center. Shadowbrook Baptist Church is sponsoring a really great event. This is our first year attending and we will definitely be adding it to our list of FUN and FREE things to do.

Jack and Maddie at the Post Office writing a letter to a Soldier.
All of us inside the refreshment tent getting hot chocolate and a cookie or two!!

Shadowbrook Church has made a small tent town within the park. There is a Library, Bakery, Military Post office, Santa Shop, Chapel, Candy Store, Refreshment area, Nativity, Concert Arena and Train station. It is all so nicely done. There are games, trees lit up, Christmas Music and so much more.

Sadly tonight we arrived with only half an hour left to go. In that amount of time we made a candy cane craft, played two games, went to the refreshment tent, the Santa Shop, and mailed a letter to a soldier. My kids are already asking if they can head back tomorrow. I know I would like to go back to see the Starry Night Nativity and to let the kids ride the train. If we can fit it in we will definitely head back.

Supper with Santa

The Greeneteam with Santa at our Annual Supper with Santa Visit. 8 years running I believe!!

The Girls having dinner and getting ready for a fun evening of doorprizes, balloons and more!!

Each year the Greeneteam and I attend an event at the Gainesville Mall called Supper with Santa. It is the BEST deal in town as far as I am concerned. Ticket prices run just $3 per child and $4 for adults.

Included in the price.. Dinner, Dessert, Pics with Santa, Face Painting, Balloons, Doorprizes, and a Merry Go Round Ride on the Carousel.

Do I NEED to say anymore?? Such a deal!! My kids love it and so do I. If only every mall would offer such a wonderful event at such a GREAT price.

Christmas at Amicalola Deer Park

During the Christmas Season Amicalola Deer Park has visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. First we headed out on a Sleigh hay ride. We fed the deer first, and then we went to visit Santa's cabin. It was decorated with a tree etc and had a small table with hot chocolate ($1) cookies and candy canes (free)

There was plenty of time to take YOUR OWN photos and talk with Santa. He even came out to the sleigh ride and did some magic for the kids. I loved that the kids had just seen the reindeer and were now seeing Santa. It made for some curiosity and questioning.

Two of my four were convinced that he was the REAL DEAL... they pulled on whiskers, noticed his gray eyebrows, and thought his hands looked really old. Maddie could not have been more delighted with Santa. She must have hugged him a dozen times!!

The only thing I would have loved more is if this was all happening at NIGHT. It would have seemed truly magical. Probably not possible but oh if it was!!

The Greeneteam on the Sleigh Hay Ride at Amicalola Deer Park.
"Mom which one of these do you think is Santa's deer?"
The Greeneteam with Santa
Santa and Maddie!!

Santa will be at Amicalola Deer Park

11-13-10/12-19-10

Saturday and Sunday

12-5pm

www.amicaloladeerpark.com

Fall Traditions!!

The Greeneteam heading to our friends 2nd annual Halloween Costume Party!!
John and I with our friends The Howards!! They are wonderful hosts and throw a great party!!
Carson at Hillcrest Apple Orchards with the single puppy that was there this year!!
The Greeneteam at Hillcrest Apple Orchards in Ellijay October 21,2010.

When I think of fall I instantly think of the Pumpkin Patch, Apple Orchard, Costume Parties, Trick or Treating, Bonfires, and Fall Festivals. Happiness is the word that comes to mind!! Who doesn't love having so many wonderful things to choose from in the fall?? My problem... I can't choose. They are all a tradition at my house!! Sign me up almost every weekend for something and at the end of the fall season I am a happy girl. I have taken lots of pictures, have made some wonderful memories with my kids, and most of all have enjoyed the wonderful weather and the beautiful fall !! I know in my heart that truly I am LIVING THE LIFE!!

Bradley's Pumpkin Patch.. A Tradition!!

Seven years ago we discovered a wonderful family pumpkin patch called Bradley's. It has been "our patch" ever since. As I remember the story, my sister Diana wanted to take the kids to a place that felt down home. She did not want to go to a tourist type pumpkin patch. I told her to go ahead and do the research to see what she could find in our local area. She found Bradley's. I remember she went out ahead of the group we were taking to make sure it was the type of patch that she had in mind. It was.

Here we are seven years later and the Greeneteam feels like Bradley's is as close to their grandparents farm in WV as they have ever known. When we arrive it feels like we are seeing family that we have not seen for a year.

We have watched Bradley go from a 12 year old boy to a 19 year old young man. When we are at the farm the boys feel like Bradley is almost the older brother or cousin that they have never had. He let's them sit on the gator, shows them things around the farm and is just a nice boy. Tony his dad is kind of a Grandpa and Karen the mom a Grandma of sorts.

The kids love the hayride. Tony tells the same stories year after year. The kind of stories that hopefully when your kids are older they will remember. They will think about the man that used to give them hayrides and would remind them to "stick to their roots, mind their parents, and realize that although you don't always land where you want you can still grow!! "

Bradley's is a hidden gem in North Georgia. The kind of place where you can arrive in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring, taking a hayride, browsing through the gift shop and buying a pumpkin. They sell hotdogs, drinks, boiled peanuts, homemade soaps, pumpkins and more.

If you find yourself out that way take the time to stop and say hello. I know you will be glad you did. Bradley's is located in Dawsonville near Amicalola Falls.

My boys sitting by the pumpkins at Bradley's.
Makenna perched up in a tree at Bradley's pumpkin patch. Nothing like reading and relaxing on the farm on a beautiful fall day.