Christmas Day!

The kids had a big Christmas this year.  For some reason I enjoyed every activity so much.  I know as the kids get older the excitement will change so I am just hanging on to each moment and memory and enjoying them all.  This year Houston decided to like Santa (in a previous post), Aidyn asked for Zhu Zhu Pets and Hollyn only asked for a surprise.  They are easy to please children.

We got a puppet theater from Gram and GrandBobby.  This was a hit with all of the kids--of course all at the same time as seen in the picture!

This Chuck Truck was a favorite of Houston's from his Granny.

What's wrong with this precious picture of Houston on Christmas morning?  He's in our bed!  This child has never slept with us until Christmas Eve 2010!  I don't know what was up, but these tired parents were even more sleep deprived with little wiggle worm in our bed.  It was sweet to wake up to this sweet little face.  I'm glad to report he's been back on track loving his crib since that night.

Santa brought Houston a basketball goal and a tricycle.  He's enjoyed both of them.

Aidyn got her Zhu Zhu Pets and we've all enjoyed them.  These were foreign to us until Christmas morning, but they are fun to watch and pretty cute.  Much better than real hamsters!

I think the giant Rapunzel doll was Aidyn's favorite.  She has slept with the giant doll taking up half of her bed.  Sweet and funny.

I must admit I really like her too.  She is beautiful!

Hollyn was surprised with a beautiful castle and new princess dolls.   She really loves them all.

Santa left a few crumbs of the cookies we left.

Later on Christmas day we got to hang out with our cousins.

We also got to enjoy a little bit of snow.  What a great day!

Christmas Memories

This year some of our sweet relatives planned a date for the kids to make cookies with their great grandmother and great aunt.  Knowing my children, I knew this could be dangerous.  Luckily, everything remained under control and it was a great day full of great memories!

Nana and Molly Jane were a great team at icing the cookies.

Aidyn & Hollyn had fun eating the icing as they decorated.

Some of Hollyn's creativity.

Group photos were hard to take when all of the kids were busy eating cookies!

We had so much fun making cookies we decided to do take two the next day.  We dipped pretzels and peanut butter crackers in chocolate for some Christmas goodies.

Aidyn is an expert when it comes to putting sprinkles on chocolate.

Hollyn helped dip the goodies.

The finished products.....

plus a few more!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

There have been lots of visits with Santa lately.  It's funny, but even Houston knows that some Santas aren't so "real" and chooses not to visit with them.  He did melt my heart with one particular visit with a jolly old elf lately. Here are some of our recent visits.....

Santa made a visit to the girls' school for their Christmas party.  Hollyn was truly tickled by the experience!

This picture melts my heart.  Not sure who the precious child is in Santa's lap, but sweet little Houston waited anxiously to sit in Santa's lap.  We went to a pajama party at the McWane Center with dear friends and had a blast.  Houston sat through the entire "Polar Express" movie, which is all but a miracle,  and then got soooo excited about seeing Santa in person.  He could hardly wait for his turn.  

and then it finally came....

no hesitation from this big boy who had already snuck into several other families' Santa pics!

His sweet sisters who had already whispered in Santa's ear 3 times let little brother have some time with him alone.  It was very gracious of them.

Houston told Santa he would like a bell because he was so proud of the bell he had received after the movie.

Sisters joined in on the fun and had a little visit as well.

We also had a "fancy" visit with Santa according to the girls.  We went to dinner at The Club and had a swinging good time!  The girls were aware that this wasn't the real Santa and Houston knew as well since he didn't waste his time visiting or sitting in his lap.  He got close enough to take a good look, but that was enough for him.  

The girls shared some love!

After the kids cut a rug with the band we enjoyed a delicious "fancy" meal!  Our friends Kate & Hudson joined us for our dinner party.  We've been making lots of treats lately so we'll share that soon!

More Christmas Cheer!

We went to the Christmas parade in Leeds last week.  It was fun, but extra fun because our cousin Molly Jane went with us!

Yes, Houston, you are wearing Molly's coat.  How could a Mama forget your coat in these freezing temps?

Waiting on the parade wasn't very exciting, but once it started it was a full blown party!

Aidyn & Hollyn were invited to friend's house for breakfast with Santa!  It was such a sweet morning.  Santa was able to visit with the children a little longer than usual.  The most special part of the morning was.....

Singing Christmas carols with him!  In case you didn't know he is quite talented on the piano and vocally.  I cherished every moment and hope you girls always remember this as well!

Christmas Fun!

Here is round two of Christmas decorations and fun.....

 We attempted a photo shoot of Christmas pics for our Christmas card.  This was about the best we got.  Houston, you were not having a cooperative day, but we'll give you a pass this time!

I thought this was so sweet even though you can't tell that it's our children!

We ended up going with a family shot from the beach.  We also cut back on the number of cards we usually send.  If you didn't get one from us don't think we don't love you!

This is our artificial tree.

Last week I signed our family up to take a gingerbread house class.  Sounds dorky but it was so much fun!  Here is a before pic.

Construction phase...

I really didn't think there would be enough icing and candy to make a house with the amounts that the girls were eating....it was way too much temptation for them....

Our "yard" display included a snowman, Christmas tree, and a gingerbread family of 5!

This scary creature is a gingerbread man the girls decorated while we were letting our icing dry.

A close up of our Frosty.

This is our neighbor's yard.  Did I mention there is no need for us to try to be creative with our outdoor decorations?  You really get the full experience at night.  A spotlight on each individual character.  The kids could not love it more.  Houston waves at Dora each morning as we take the girls to school.