Trip to Atlanta in Pictures

We did it! We met the "real deal" Santa and he was everything they promised. He was fat, jolly, with rosy cheeks and knew us by name. Now in my days, I have met plenty of Santa's. I have been yelled at by two of them, waited an hour and then right when I got up to see him I was told Santa needed to "feed his reindeer" which in reality meant take a smoke break, and visited a Santa that's belly was so fat that is honestly hung down by his ankles. I'm pretty sure Mrs. Claus was not real turned on by that (I know, I know. Coal for me). 

This guy was the opposite. He was so sweet and caring and we never felt rushed by him. Of course Izzy loved him too:

Sure, we had to take a plane ride in order to see him and sure he makes SIX figures for working for two months, but this guy was so worth it. We have already decided it is going to be our family tradition. So if you're in the Atlanta area head over to Lennox mall and visit the man. You won't be disappointed and please tell him I sent you...I would prefer less coal this year in my stocking.

After Isabelle's awesome visit with Santa we cheered her up a bit with some hot chocolate and cookies.

The little blur to the right is cousin Carter aka "Bubba" sneaking in some bunny ears.

The girl already has expensive taste...Daddy's in trouble with this one.

Seriously, I couldn't have planned a more perfect picture.

Atlanta is an amazing place to me. I will not lie (Santa's watching), I would LOOVE to move there. My Aunt lives in the suburbs and it's quiet with a lot of trees and is peaceful and quaint, but then you have a 20 minute drive and you are in the heart of Atlanta where there is EVERYTHING to do and it a mush pot of cultures and people. Amazing!

We also got to join my cousins for lunch which was a lot of fun to see OUR kids playing together! Is it just me or do you feel like you should be 12 again when you reunite with your cousins? I feel like we should be pestering each other, not having play dates with our kids!

Mr. T didn't get to make the trip this year, which was sad (and hard...single moms deserve a medal of honor, and most likely a purple heart) but also meant that we got most of our Christmas shopping done without having to hear, "You're losing me, I don't have much longer. I've had enough" over and over again. He was also happy he missed out on that part as well. One thing he did miss? The most amazing milkshakes ever! Of course I gained about 20lbs on the trip, but it was so worth it. If you have a Flip Burger in your area...go now. Order their milkshakes. Don't believe me? Ask Isabelle.

Sister means business when it comes to milkshakes or ice cream. Cookies? Pie? Cake? They're OK. Ice cream....is serious business to her. When she learned that she had to share, she got stressed out. She gave everyone the evil eye while they drank some of her milkshake. We generally don't let her eat a ton of sugar, so when she does get some she resembles the spawn of Richard Simmons and Joel Osteen. NOTHING could bring her down!

Nothing except, of course, the Sugar Crash.

Girlfriend loved her some Atlanta. She was sick the day we left, but thank goodness she felt great the entire trip!

Now of course, it's vacation hangover day. Time to unpack, catch up on sleep and FINALLY decorate the house for Christmas.