Zoo Lights

4:38 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

This past weekend, we decided it would be fun to check out the Zoo Lights at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! They call theirs Electric Safari, but it was fun no matter what it was called!

The zoo is situated in a very wealthy area of the Springs, so of course lots of the houses were decked out in Christmas lights. Every house we saw that was lit up Griswold-style, & trust me there were tons, Greyson gasped & was just mesmerized! It was really the first year we've lived somewhere with Christmas lights like this so he thought it was awesome!

We met some friends at the zoo & were ready for some fun, even if only slightly dressed appropriately! We of course chose to go the day after the temperature dropped 30 degrees & we got a bunch of snow. But, hey! It was festive!

The kids enjoyed seeing the few exhibits that were still open during the event. The giraffes & the elephants were the biggest hits! And of course no trip is complete without a pit stop for some drinks & pictures! The zoo even had little fire pits all around for everyone to stop at along the way to warm up. Greyson kept telling us about the fires & how hot they are. Greg even showed him how to stand close & safely warm his hands!

And because the fire house Santa attempt failed terribly, we tried again with the zoo Santa! He was fantastic for starts! He seemed to much like Santa it wasn't funny! Greyson was a little unsure still, but we convinced him to sit on his lap & take some pictures. He wouldn't share his name or tell him what he wanted for Christmas, but he made sure to ask nicely for a candy cane!

Such a fun event! I've been dying to go to a zoo lights for years but they aren't something German zoos did & we haven't been stateside for the holidays in so long that this year was our first chance. The lights were fun to see & we always have a good time at the zoo. Plus nothing compares to seeing the magic of the holiday through a toddler's eyes! Everything is amazing & full of wonder!

Excited to almost be done with my class so we can jump into full Christmas festivities over here! One more day!

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Visiting Santa & Firetrucks!

4:25 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

Our local fire station had an open house day this past weekend. It was for one of their fundraiser days to raise money for their station. They had treats for everyone & shirts for sale. And of course there was Santa & fire trucks!

I wasn't sure how seeing Santa was going to go this year. Greyson has been obsessed with Santa for awhile now but you never know with a real live Santa. He got super shy & clung to me the whole time we were there. And naturally, he wanted nothing to do with Santa when it came to our turn. As you can tell, we found out that pictures inside of a fire station don't turn out very well!

We managed an okay picture with me sitting on his lap as well. He was thoroughly unamused but enjoyed the candy cane he got from Santa. He was much more excited about sitting on the fire truck, though he didn't like that he didn't get to drive it.

It didn't go as planned, but it was still a good little day. Fire trucks make little guys super happy!

I will not give up that easily so another visit with Santa is coming again soon!

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Secret Santa Mommy & Me Book Exchange

11:42 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

We participated in the Holiday book exchange hosted by some lovely ladies again this year. Anything involving books is always a fun time! And of course holiday fun tied in makes it even better!

This year, we were sent goodies from Bri from School in Our Slippers & her little adorable crew!

Greyson was a little confused when we handed him the wrapped book, but when he figured out to open it he was crazy excited! He got the classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas & naturally had to read it immediately. He loves it so much we've read it every night at bedtime since getting it!

And for mommy was Something Blue! I've never read any of the Emily Griffin books but I've always heard good things about them so better late than never! I have my break from school after a final this week & am excited to finally start reading it.

And if she couldn't be any sweeter, she sent this adorable card & a pink flower clip for little miss! It's a perfect addition to her growing bow & headband collection she has started already!

We were paired with Jessica over at Secrets of a Stay at Home Mom to send books to her & her adorable little ones Cam & Emmy. Head over to her blog & see what they got!

I already can't wait for next year to hopefully be able to participate again! Such a lovely group of ladies in this blog community!

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Decking the Halls

4:49 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

While I've been in the Christmas spirit by listening to Christmas music for awhile now, I contained myself & didn't decorate until after Thanksgiving. I considered doing it earlier, but was too busy with school work & Thanksgiving prep to let myself take the time.

Plus, decorating on Friday following Thanksgiving has become a tradition so I decided to keep it that way!

We pulled up all the boxes upon boxes of decorations & spent the morning/early afternoon decking the halls!

Greyson was crazy obsessed with the standing Santa Claus when he came out of the box. He stood him in front of the tree, giggled endlessly at him & even gave him a few hugs and kisses.

The trio of plush snowmen were a pretty big hit too! And of course he decided they had to go on the tree! They were too heavy to stay, of course, & he couldn't handle it! We finally compromised & he let them sit on a shelf & hang ornaments instead!

This is the first year we've been able to hang lights outside on our house. I bought a few sets years ago, which happily still work! Greyson helped me untangle them & awed in their lit up glory, insisting I keep plugging & unplugging them.

And I found this adorable mini stocking advent banner at Target (of course) that I had to have! Such a fun tradition to do with kids & I am already excited for Greyson to find the goodies or fun that is planned for each day!

I will share some more pictures of the house all set up! For now, our four stockings hanging on the kitchen island (since we don't have a mantle...yet!) will have to suffice. Seriously crazy to think that there will be 4 of us next year & all of the stockings will be used!

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Thankful

12:21 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

I have so much this year that I am thankful for.

My wonderful, hardworking, supportive, loving husband. He is always there for us & always working hard so we can have the life we want. He never gives up with what he wants. He has pushed me to follow my own goals with grad school & is just an awesome dad to Greyson, & I know he will be just as awesome with little miss.

This silly blueberry loving, giggly, loving, smart little guy! He brings so much love & laughter into our family & is constantly teaching us what's really important in life. He helps us slow down & learn more about ourselves every day. He is such a crazy mix of both of us & some days I am just amazed at the things he does & has learned for a 2.5 year old!

And of course little miss! Although she isn't here yet & we don't know her, she is very much loved already. She loves to dance when mommy is listening to Christmas music or ready for bed, she liked grape juice & keeping mommy awake all the time.

Our family who has always supported us no matter where we end up. The military has taken us to faraway places & we can always count on them to be there with us through thick & thin, helping us & doing all they can for us.

Our wonderful house that we've been given the ability to buy & make our own in these last few months. We spend so much time here, working, living & making memories that will last a lifetime. I am already excited for the new memories we've made & that I know are coming in the future.

And of course great friends, both near & far. We've made friends in so many places who are now all over the world. We may not talk every day since we are all so busy, but we have so many people who've been by our sides in good times & bad, shared laughs & cries, and just created a lasting impression on our hearts.

It's been a great year with lots of changes & even bigger ones headed our way. We are all geared up to enjoy our first winter, Christmas, New Years & so much more, including birthdays & babies, in the coming months.

But for now, nesting has begun & I am fighting every urge to put together little Miss's furniture to work on a loooong paper I've been putting off far tooo long. It's freezing outside so movies, coffee & theory papers are in the forecast for the day.

Hopefully I will make the time to get a bump picture & make an update many weeks late.

Happy Saturday!

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It's The Little Things// Cars, Trucks & Trains, Oh My!

12:08 PM Amanda Greathouse 1 Comments

We have cars on trucks on trains and so much more around here! If it has wheels, it's awesome in Greyson's book these days. Whether big or small, if it moves & has wheels, he has to have it in his hands 24/7.

I rarely leave the house anymore without at least 2 matchbox cars on me because when things get crazy, they can instantly calm him down. Of course, he has his favorites & wants to always keep them in his pockets, since we showed them that they fit perfectly.

He is so obsessed that he can point out many kinds of construction vehicles every time we see one, which is often since we live in a new development & they're building new houses in the lots behind ours. So our breakfast conversations go a little like this: "Mommy! Look at that digger! He's in the dirt! Where's bulldoze'?"

Oh & can't forget about cars. He has to touch every car we walk past in a parking lot & knows probably 5 or so car brands just by looking at them!

Needless to say, he is a full-on boy loves trucks kind of guy. He has some more coming his way when Christmas arrives & we just know he is going to love them.

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Halloween Countdown - Part 3

4:14 PM Amanda Greathouse 0 Comments

The final leg of the countdown to Halloween is here! I cannot believe it is over already & it is November! I can't complain too much - I love the holiday season & all the goodness coming very soon!

We went to Boo at the Zoo at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo this year! It's not a thing they do in Germany so we've never been able to go & since daddy was going to miss legit trick or treat, we had to go! So we got Greyson all ready & despite his unamused look, he loved being Batman!

He loves his pumpkin bucket & was so thrilled to carry it around. He said "Trick or treat" to everyone at the tables & was very grateful for every piece of candy.

And of course one of his showing his muscles, like daddy taught him to do before we went!

And in case you needed validation that toddlers are awesome, Greyson & his little friend Hunter who joined us rocked out when we were all done & got a little crazy with their muscle showing!

And of course, we rounded out October with Trick or Treating in our neighborhood. We joined our friends & their group of friends with 8+ kids and ventured up & down the streets gathering candy. Greyson was so excited to wear his costume again & excitedly went up to every house.

He kept up his "trick or treat" saying skills & was so polite with his "Thank you... Hap'a Hal'weeeen!" once leaving every house. And he felt the need to check out his loot after every single house. It took a lot for me to get him to leave each house, but the promise of more trick or treat worked!