Koziar's Christmas Village

Our friends invited us to check out Koziar's Christmas Village with them. They go every year and have nothing but good things to say about it. We left super early just in case of traffic and we ended up getting there before it even opened. We didn't know it but when you first pull down the hill to the entrance, it is a beautiful view of all the lights and all of their property. Since we were early the lights weren't even on yet. We did get to see it behind us on our way out. 

 At the village there are indoor and outdoor light displays with trees, trains and themed windows. There are multiple shops with food, ornaments, hat and toys. Santa is even there! It was over a hour for us to drive there but we spent over 2 hours there and had so much fun. 

 Einor and her Jojo

 She was so excited when she say "indella" and "bippiboppybooooo"

 I think seeing her friends go ahead of her made it ok to sit on Santa's lap but we were not going to get a smile. Santa gave her a candy cane after though and she can't stop talking about it.

We are so thankful to have awesome friends who include us on their traditions. We are trying to find new fun things and missing all of our Boston ones. It makes me so sad missing things like the Enchanted Village but this makes up for it.

Festival of Lights

When I lived in Cincinnati, I only went to the zoo for Festival of Lights just a few times. It is so magical there. Way better than Zoo Lights in Boston that we would go to every year. Cincinnati Zoo is huge and so nice. They decorate everything. We were there for hours and didn't even get to see everything. 

I'm sad these pictures are all terrible but everyone is so cute it is hard not to over share. 

Elinor is not too sure about Mrs. Claus

Bear wasn't either

but Paighton showed the babies that it's ok

Allison helping Elinor to go see Frosty

but again not too sure

We met some other friends there but too bad this is the only picture we got of them. Sorry guys! It's all about the kids.

I want to steal Paighton. She is such a great kid. Elinor listened so well to her.

Sean had just got home from Afghanistan a little before we came to visit. He is super awesome for sharing his house, family and hanging out with us even though he is leaving again soon and has limited time with his family.

Writing her first letter to Santa with Daddy and Paighton's help

The Rivers family plus Elinor. She never wants to be with us. My parents always say that's how I was when I was little.

Allison and her baby Bear

cutest family!

If you look close you can see Elinor is holding hands with a little boy. We ran into some friends from high school and their adorable kids. Their boy is right around Elinor's age. As soon as we ran into them he grabbed her hand and ran off. They played with each other and held hands like they were old BFFs. It was so funny.

This owl was super into Elinor. He was totally stalking her. He was following her while she ran around in circles. As soon as she got too far he took off slamming into the window trying to get her. Good thing the glass was there!

If you live in the area and haven't checked out the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo you are missing out! We have a Philadelphia Zoo membership and were able to get 50% our admission. I can't wait to check out the holiday lights at our zoo soon.