December 26 - Merry Christmas from Texas Y'All

Christmas Eve Eve Sleepover

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with happiness, good cheer and lots of delicious food. We put the kids to bed around 9pm on Christmas Eve and Julia was up four times between 9 and 10:30pm. She was determined to stay up to see Santa AND take a picture of him. She kept coming downstairs to find her camera, then batteries, then...we're not sure but she kept getting out of bed. She finally fell asleep around 11pm. She woke me up at 2:30am exclaiming "Mom! Santa came. I can see all the presents." I looked at the clock, promptly told her it was WAY TOO EARLY to be up. She climbed in bed with JD and I and passed out.

Getting ready!

Unlucky for me, I was sandwiched in the middle of the bed and could not fall asleep. No worries though, the kids excitement that morning kept me going the rest of the day. 

The kids finally woke up around 7:30am and we went downstairs to open presents. Julia did not receive a 'live' golden retriever puppy but she did receive a stuffed animal golden retriever from Santa. She came with a real puppy collar and purple dog bowl. Santa wrote her a nice letter explaining that Julia can use the collar and bowl for when she gets a real puppy one day. She has been carrying around Rosebud all day and showing her off to the neighbors. So, she's thrilled! The kids had a blast opening their presents and are so spoiled by family and Santa. Julia received an electric scooter, purple cowboy boots, watch, birthstone ring, craft supplies, lava lamp, spy kits, magic kit, clothes, soccer bag, beanie boos, microphone, board games and books.

Those are for Santa!

Luke was spoiled with video games, penguin duvet, penguin hamper/storage, legos, suitcase, books, mustaches, board games, cowboy boots and RC cars. Thanks everyone for making Christmas spectacular! The dogs also loved their kong from Grammie and Christmas bones from Santa. Speaking of the dogs, Karma was front and center while the kids opened presents. Amelia ate breakfast, went upstairs to sleep and only came down for her bone. Once she finished it she went back upstairs to sleep again. 

Cutest Brownie Troop in Texas

After a delicious french toast breakfast (mmm), the kids played with their toys for hours. We went to Tammy's house for Christmas dinner of ham, twice baked potatoes, salad, spinach casserole and some amazing desserts. It was amazing day all around. The only odd thing was the weather, it was 85 and very muggy all day. 

Now, I was looking at my Christmas Eve post and realized I missed some fun December activities. So...this will be another big picture post. We had a Girl Scout Christmas Party at few weeks ago. This took place the same week we had the field trip and kids school parties.

The girls did a Secret Santa gift exchange while the mom's did a white elephant gift exchange and then a regular gift exchange. For the white elephant gift, I gave a Hello Kitty Chia Pet and received a Santa hat (complete with antlers) and a red nose. It was hilarious! Then we did a delicious cookie exchange. 

A few days later, we went to Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo. It was incredible. If anyone visits us around Christmastime, we are taking you there. It was a little congested in the first section but it was practically empty toward the end.

The lights were amazing and the kids had fun dancing to the music. After that we went to the best pizza in Houston, Star Pizza. It was a great night!

Okay, shifting gears a little, this week was great because Becky and her family were in town from Atlanta. Scott's parents live in Sugarland (around an hour from where we live) and they were in town for the holiday. On Monday, the kids and I went to Scott's parents house and we hung out all day. We went on a nature walk and the kids played for hours while Becky and I caught up. On Tuesday, we met up at the zoo and had a blast (it was a great day to go-beautiful weather and it was practically empty). Wednesday I met Becky and her family for lunch. I wish we could have seen each other the rest of the week but I'm grateful for the time we had. 

Zoo Lights

Christine & Becky

Fun at the Zoo

Reading with the pooches

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Texas Y'All

December 24 - Merry Christmas Eve

 Merry Christmas Eve dimpled munchkin fans. I hope you are all having a wonderful day. While JD is making the finishing touches on our Christmas Eve dinner (lamb, rice and fresh veggies..it smells amazing), I will go ahead and do a quick post to update you on December. 

December has been a busy month. JD had a last minute to trip to Germany early in the month and he was gone for a week. Julia had a soccer tournament in west Houston a few weekends ago which was really fun. We carpooled with Kendall and Lauren (soccer girls and girl scouts) and left the house before 6:30am both mornings. It was cold on the soccer field (38!) but the girls had fun.

They played four games over two days and ended up winning the tournament. Great job girls! Luke's soccer season is over already but he told me he wants to play again in the spring. 

On to school...both of the kids had holiday events at school. The 2nd grade at North Pointe (elementary school Julia attends) performed 'Seussical Jr.' Each class performed a song and then they did a compilation of all the songs. It was adorable! Julia had been practicing for weeks and she was very excited to perform. The kids also had to wear 'crazy hair' so we did some fun braids and ponytails mixed with blue hair spray. Right before break her class went on a field trip to a food bank, had a holiday party (pizza, cookies, we made picture frames, played bingo and wrote letters to US soldiers serving overseas), watched polar express (complete with hot chocolate and cookies) and then did a winter sing-a-long.

All of these school events were in ONE week. It was crazy!

Luke also had a winter party at school that he was extremely excited about. All of the pre-school and elementary classes performed songs and he practiced for weeks. I've never seen him so excited. His class had a song about Hanukkah and Christmas and he rocked it! His school also had an ornament decorating contest one evening so we were there decorating pine cones. 

Other than the cold soccer weekend, we've had unusually warm December weather (I think that's the case most places this year). We got our tree a few weeks ago and the kids were wearing shorts. It was crazy! I was very happy that they were interested in decorating the tree for the first time ever.  

Last night our cul-de-sac had our annual holiday party. Although it was a tad warm and muggy (I was wearing a Santa hat and could not stop sweating) everyone had fun. The kids played outside for hours while all the adults chatted. We had some delicious food-tamales, potato soup, dips, beans and a lot of cookies and cupcakes. Karma was especially excited about the cupcakes and ate one right off the table-right in front of JD! Little stinker!  She was put in time out (put back in the house) for 20min for her 'crime' hehe. After cleaning up, the kids had their 2nd annual 'Christmas Eve Eve Sleepover' under the tree. They are loving this tradition!

Julia & Kendall

Luke & Amelia snuggles

Outside fun

Late night yoga

Seussical Jr (Julia is standing to the right of the boy in the green shirt)

Oh Hanukkah!

December 21 - Nandy

Are you ready folks? I'm posting pics from the last two days at the farm and I have a lot to share with you. All set? Let's go! 

After an amazing Thanksgiving meal (thanks JD and Craig for cooking!), it was time for a good night sleep, leftovers, family fun and horseback riding. Brian chose Nandy, an older horse who is very well trained and great with kids. The kids drew straws and Julia went on first. She looked like a natural up there and had a blast. Brian is really great with the kids, giving them detailed instructions and letting them ride for over 30min each.

Also, the kids (impressively) were very patient and did not complain about waiting their turn to ride. Luke was next up and wow, he looked super tiny on that horse. Tiny and adorable! He had fun as well (I have short videos of Julia and Luke that's I'll post later). Victoria went next (she rode the next day without being tethered to Uncle Brian, go V!) and then Andrew. Really, all of the kids did a fantastic job. Uncle Chris (who has a hay allergy) and Grandpa even made a trip down to the paddock to watch some of the riding-it was awesome having everyone out there together!

After the kids rode, it was the adults turn. Jay went first, followed by Jill and myself. No one else wanted to ride but we all enjoyed the experience (how often do we get to ride horses?). I was definitely a tad sore afterward but it was really fun!

Saturday, we packed up the car and drove straight through to Texas. We were sad to leave everyone but had an absolutely amazing Thanksgiving vacation. 

Photo overload..you've been warned!

Little Bobblehead

Waiting their turn (without complaints!)

Cutest little riders

Uncle Jay

Aunt Jill

Uncle Bryan & Uncle Jay rock!

Grandpa

Uncle Chris

Barn kids (and dogs)

B Squared

Tractor Fun

Craig, Jill & Bryan

Last dog snuggle

Thanksgiving at the farm - perfection!

They can't wait to see each other again