Meadow Lights

We drove out to see Meadow Lights one night. We stopped at the Waffle House for dinner and the kids were so excited for chocolate chip waffles. At Meadow Lights, we took the train ride to see all the lights and Oliver couldn't stop excitedly pointing out every single light display. We also rode the carousel and warmed up with some hot chocolate.

Grumpy Elsa.

Christmas at the Capitol

We had fun checking out the Christmas decor at the Capitol last Saturday and listening to a choir sing in the rotunda. We wandered down the street and popped into the Museum of Natural Sciences and the NC Museum of History (both are free!) for a few minutes and then saw the outdoor lights come on back at the Capitol. We ended our day at the Apex Nativity Celebration where they had hundreds of nativities from around the world on display as well as musical groups performing. The kids had fun doing activities in the children's room.

The kids loved the giant Lego nativity.

Holiday Express at Pullen Park

We had such a fun time at the Holiday Express at Pullen Park. They had all kinds of fun activities in addition to riding the carousel and the train to see the lights. They also had an outdoor movie, a sledding hill, and the kids got to visit with Santa. I was worried about crowds since every night of the festival was sold out in advance. But it was so well organized and we arrived later in the evening and didn't encounter any lines for anything. The kids loved staying up late and playing on the playground in the dark.

Catching snowflakes.

The sledding hill was almost completely ice and soooo fast. There were a lot of crashes.

Playing games and winning prizes.

Making reindeer food.

The train ride was definitely Oliver's favorite part.

Elsa was so excited to sit on Santa's lap. We couldn't hear their conversation but Elsa's smile was suddenly gone and Santa was talking a lot. And then Elsa looked like she was trying to hold back tears. Apparently Elsa told Santa she wanted a dog for Christmas and he informed her he couldn't carry live cargo on his sleigh. Elsa was pretty devastated after that and it took us awhile to get her to bounce back.

Oliver told Santa he wanted presents for Christmas. And Simon just screamed and drooled his sucker on Santa.

Meadow Lights

We had thought about going on a short trip right after Christmas but then Elsa got sick so we stuck around home. When she was finally feeling better we ventured out one evening to see Meadow Lights, a Christmas light display in a small, nearby town. They had a train ride through the light display and then a carousel. The kids loved both. Here are some crappy phone shots to prove it.

Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge

We drove to Durham one evening to check out the trees in this year's Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge. (Side note: Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill are sometimes referred to as The Research Triangle, or just "The Triangle.") Nonprofits decorate trees for a prize and anyone can vote for their favorites. There were some very interesting decorations. It was a rainy evening but cleared up long enough for us to walk through the trees.

The Salvation Army decorated this tree to support their project which brings awareness to human trafficking in North Carolina. It had barbies and money hanging all over it (each barbie represented a victim). Interesting choice. Didn't feel super Christmassy though.

And this cute kid!