Elise's 6th Birthday

On the bus, in the farthest parking lot ever, getting ready to go to SDC

 We gave Elise a choice for her birthday this year: have a party, or go to Silver Dollar City.  I feel like she chose wisely.  Even though when we first got to the park, I had to wonder!

Daddy is obviously thrilled to be there.

 Silver Dollar City was PACKED.  I have never parked so far away, nor have I ever had to stand and wait to proceed through Grandfather's Mansion.  Both of those things happened during this trip.

Waiting to ride one of the few rides we decided to wait for.

 But it was beautiful!  It wasn't too chilly and we were appropriately bundled for the weather.  The lights were amazing.  We got to eat so much delicious food, some of which (like the apple dumplings) is only available at Christmas.  And the girls absolutely loved the parade.

Selfie Win

 Honestly, after the parade, the place cleared out some, and it didn't feel nearly so claustrophobic.  The girls didn't mind the crowds, but they did make me nervous.  Erin didn't want to hold our hands for the most part, and she's little, quick, and easily lost.  But we were lucky and didn't have any scares.  And by the end, she was so pooped we carried her anyway.

Selfie Fail.

 There were lots of familiar faces in the crowd--Uncle Dave texted us that he and Loriell were down there and we met up with them for a bit.

Erin and Uncle Dave watching Elise and Loriell ride the swing

 This next series of pictures cracked me up.  I was trying to take a cute picture of the girls in front of a lighted Christmas tree...it didn't work out that well.

There's the tackle-hug

Then there's the awkward family photo.

Their eyes are almost closed, but they're looking in the right direction with smiles on their faces!

Elise trying to stay upright in Grandfather's mansion.  Can you tell it was crowded??

 Will, Jessie, and Owen met us down there, too.  Elise was really excited to see them!

On her actual birthday (Friday), Elise got to take cupcakes to school, Mammy surprised her with a happy meal at lunch, and Daddy, me, and Erin took her on a drive to look at Christmas lights that night and capped it off with Andy's!  Today, we had lunch at Mammy's, and she got to blow out candles on an ice cream cake.  She said tonight it was a really good birthday!