We couldn't resist having our picture made with the life size wax figure of Buddy the Elf! Love that movie.
The Meads with Buddy
One of our favorite spots in Gatlingburg- The Village. It looked so pretty decorated for Christmas.
We took a few last shots of the inside of our cabin before time to go.
Jackson did this completely spontaneously...he leaned down to look up the chimney and said "Where's Santa?". Too cute.
Noah had to join in the search for Santa, too.
Our two little men ready for presents!
Jackson didn't need any help figuring out what to do this year!
Hannah showing off her sweater and scarf we we gave her.
Hillary with her new scarf.
Papa seemed to enjoy the Christmas more than any other we've had...a few days of just being together made him happy.
Noah loved his new Star Wars helmet from Papa and Nana.
Clone Trooper Noah
And the little copycat Jackson had to give it a try too!
It was hard to get a good view of the front of the cabin because it was kind of hidden in the trees, but if you look closely you'll see our beautiful cabin.
Unfortunately, Jackson got sick right after we got there, so he didn't get to go out to enjoy playing in all the snow with the big kids! He got the first ever trip to the doctor while on vacation our family has ever had to have. After getting some antibiotics for double ear infections, he started feeling better.
Noah and Hillary built a little snowman right outside the cabin.
The finished product- not sure exactly what they ended up using for the eyes, nose, and mouth...I think maybe peanut M&Ms were the buttons!
A little bit of a better view of the front of the cabin.
Hannah posing for some shots in the snow.
A snowball fight broke out between Hillary and Noah!
They had so much fun playing in the snow! I think this was the most snow Noah had ever had to play in.
Looks like he loved his snowball fight!
A very pretty view from the cabin...all the trees and mountain tops covered in snow were so beautiful!
Before Christmas break, Noah's kindergarten class took a field trip to Santa's Village. They got to practice making Christmas cookies, enjoy a story read by Mrs. Claus, and several other crafts and activities.
The whole gang with Mrs. Nave.
Noah saying hi to the real reindeer! 
This has ended up being the first snow of many this year. Jackson loved going out to check it out, but didn't like it when his hands got really cold after playing in it for a while! He wouldn't keep his gloves on.
Noah found his little elf Allan riding on the reindeer outside! We figured the snow must have made him a little homesick for the North Pole. (Allan comes to stay with us every year...he shows up sometime after Thanksgiving and stays until he goes home on Christmas Eve with Santa. He reports back to the North Pole how things are going at our house, while ocassionally getting into a little trouble himself. He evidently snuck outside during the night when the snow started this time!)
Noah's snow angel! It didn't last too long before Bones and Jackson trampled through it!
The first week of December, we bundled up to head out to the Athens Christmas Parade. This was Jackson's first parade, and Noah took his job teaching him all about it very seriously! They looked so cute sitting there together!
Jackson checking out the cotton candy.
Another favorite pic of mine...Noah kept his arm around Jackson almost the whole time.
The cutest thing of the night- Jackson didn't care too much for the loud sirens, so everytime something really loud was coming, Noah held his hands over Jackson's ears to block it out a little! What a good big brother!
