The James Center



Downtown Richmond.



Saturday night The Bryants went to the James Center in downtown Richmond.  They decorate the plaza with lots of lights, some reindeer, and one really large Christmas tree.  It's become a sort of family tradition to visit the Center during the Christmas season.....we take hot cocoa and fresh baked cookies and enjoy them while taking in the sites. 




Look Mom it's a horse.



My crew :)



The really Really REALLY big tree.



Excuse the demon eyes....

Inside there is a model train set up and there are displays here and there for the children. 





Model trains...



Another Christmas tree.



Emma just after kissing the Santa.


There is even a horse drawn carriage ride....



Wonder if one was named Rudolph.

There is plenty of free parking around the area if you go on a week night....but if on a weekend save your self the 30 mins of searching and pay the $4 to park right across the street!  To walk around the plaza and play in with the deer is free :)

Monday Love

This weekend was full of Christmas traditions, the smell of food coming from my kitchen and the occasional mishap here and there.  Saturday night we visited the James Center in Richmond and went to look at Christmas lights afterwards in a few neighborhoods.  Saturday morning and Sunday morning the family was treated to breakfast fit for a king (or queen according to Emma) and then a meal on Sunday afternoon that was equally as good.  And the mishaps....weeellllll....sometimes stuff happens  :)



The kids posing for mom.



Breakfast #1



Breakfast #2



Emma helping mom clean the fridge!



Mishap #1.



Mishap #2.


I'll post more about the James Center later this week.  It's one of my favorite Christmas traditions....I think the older kids are sorta over it but since I take hot cocoa and cookies they are willing to go along.  As for the mishaps....#1 Mark got a nail in his tire.  Not sure when it happened but he had to fix it Saturday...can't have a bus full of Bryants and a bum wheel!  #2 After cooking breakfast someone (yea that would be me) left the burner on and then laid a pot holder on it.  I thought I smelled smoke at some point but figured I was just imagining things...then I saw smoke.  Thanks to Tommy for saving the day!  And that picture of Emma....she was helping me....but I didn't know it.  I was cleaning the fridge and when I wasn't looking that stinker would grab stuff out of the door of the fridge and then run to her room.  After a while I noticed there wasn't anything left in my door!  I went to inspect and found her in her room with all her ill-gotten-booty!  That girl! 



Stinker #1.

I did try a couple new recipes this weekend and happy to report they turned out wonderful...Mark, the girls and even Tommy all agreed they were all worthy of repeat performances (Tommy doubles as a food critic from time to time).   

So that's the weekend all wrapped up in a neat little package.  Hope yours was a great one as well....Off to master my Monday :)