Our journey to the North Pole........

Thanks to our FABULOUS friends, the McGlassons, we were surprised this summer with the news that we would once again be able to journey to the North Pole....the news came at a very stressful time for us and we were soooooo excited!

Last Friday, the day had arrived. Luckily, Ella was feeling better and on antibiotics and we were packed up and ready.

So the caravan of minivans began the journey to Greer....

We caught site of snow not long after Payson...

This was Logan's first time seeing snow and he was so excited....
Absolutely beautiful.....

Unfortunately, the snow didn't stay with us all the way to Greer, but the we all still felt like we had arrived at the North Pole.

I had come across these great shirts for the kids and they couldn't have looked cuter!

These 4 kiddos couldn't have been more excited....

Our Brady Bunch picture....

And Paul, feeling a little left out in the photo dept, struck a pose.....

Ella and Logan couldn't wait!

The boys enjoyed 'waiting' for dinner ....thank goodness for games on phones

Ella enjoying her buffet...

3 cute kids.....

A quick visit with Mrs. Claus before heading out to the workshop.....

Ready to board the Candy Cane Express........

The boys aboard the trolley....

Enjoying the ride....

Ella filled with excitement as we went through the 'portal'

At the door to the workshop......the secret knock...

Learning all about the workshop.....

Alibaster Snowflake tells the kids all the 'workshop rules'

Waiting for the workshop doors to open....

The sites and the smells of the workshop are amazing....

It is absolutely beautiful inside and smells like 'Christmas'

The kids were quick to find a station to help the elves make toys....

Couldn't believe that it was a WEEK until Christmas....

I LOVE THIS TREE!!!

The bakery that is making the yummy sugar cookies and snowman soup (hot chocolate)

the matching mommies....

This year the kids got to 'test' the toys after making them....

Watch out for flying things!

Ella was armed and dangerous!

Can you tell that Logan was enjoying himself?

Paul and me and my favorite tree....

As the kiddos enjoyed their treats, Santa made a special appearance...

Logan immediately hopped down from his seat and was jumping up and down yelling, "SANTA!"

Santa scooped him up in his arms and held him as he talked to the kids....

Logan was SO comfortable in Santa's arms....adorable

Then it was off to elf school.....

And then we were able to go in and see Santa ....as a family.

I will post those photos later.....

After our turn, we waited outside and the kids kept themselves and everyone else entertained by singing carols...

Ella made many 'elf' friends.

3 special kids back aboard the trolley....

Jen and Blake

Us....

Bundled and happy....

On our way back to the lodge....

Ella's turn at singing a carol...

Logan loved Mrs. Claus too and gave her a big hug!

Then we noticed Nonna was missing.......we found her!

The kids ended the night with their most favorite elf.....Mistletoe

And then it was back to our beautiful cabin.....

We enjoyed the fire until it burned out and then off to bed we went....when all of a sudden....."BEEP".....quiet....."BEEP".....yep, the smoke detector had a low battery

Jen headed off downstairs to locate it and I was waiting on the stairs when I heard a loud crack and what was seconds before a tiny glow of red ember was once again a RAGING FIRE!!

It was HILARIOUS and we all had quite a laugh....

Paul slept downstairs on the couch for a bit until the fire was completely out!

......more to come