CHRISTMAS!

Ready to Go!



Luke is the first one out of the gate, sneaking by Don!



Hayley almost calmly walks out!

Love how she organized her gifts first thing!

Christmas Breakfast with Grammy's Tree Bread

Playing games and having fun before heading to Grammy's

Trying on her new outfits

Heading outside to a beautiful Christmas morning..yes Jake is wearing shorts!

Trying out his new scooter

Race time!

 We went to Don's parents house Christmas afternoon and had a wonderful time.  We shared a delicious Christmas dinner,  exchanged gifts and played a rousing game of JINGO.  By the time we left their house that evening, winter weather had rolled in and it had dropped over 30 degrees.  Now it even felt like Christmas as we borrowed blankets for the cold ride home...with our non-heated car, it was like riding in a one horse open sleigh :-)

Relaxing with Grammy & Grandaddy

More Presents!


Thanks to everyone who made this Christmas so very special.  We love you!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve day was spent making & delivering treats to friends.  That evening Grammy and Grandaddy came over for our traditional Christmas Eve Celebration.  We had our potato soup in homemade bread bowls.  The kids were all excited to have our Christmas program.  We sang songs and Don read the Nativity story from the Bible while the kids listened and acted it out.

Luke ended up shuffling parts during the story. When we began, he was excited to be Joseph and help hold the baby Jesus.

But once the wise men arrived on the scene bearing gifts, he wanted in on that action.  Luke loved bringing the gold to Jesus..then taking it away...then doing it all over again and again and again... 2 months later, he still talks about the gold gift for Jesus, funny kid.

After the extended gold edition of the Nativity story ended, we had some delicious dessert. 

Luke had to have the gold right next to him!

When Grammy & Grandaddy left, it was time for pj's and setting out stockings and cookies for Santa....and of course carrots for the reindeer.

Then it was off to bed for a few hours of excited whispering, then slowly silence encompassed the house for just a few sweet hours of sleep before the excitement of Christmas morning started with a child's whisper at 5:30 in the morning, spreading quickly to the under 13 crowd.  Christmas was finally here!

The Silver Bullet

Michael was surprised with a very generous gift from his grandparents, their old car! I think he was just a little bit excited!

Nothing makes a 16 yr old boy happier than having a car to drive.

Quickly nicknamed the Silver Bullet, the Saturn has become a well loved member of the family & has been great to have.  I love sending Michael to go run errands and pick kids up.  The Silver Bullet has seen plenty of adventures already, it's mileage just crossed the 220,000 mile mark last week!

Morning Fun with Grandpa & Grandma

With Michael & the gang going to the State Championship football game late Saturday night, the younger kids & I took Grandma back to their house & spent the night.  The next day we had to go back to Houston, but first we had a fun filled morning together.

Grandpa started things off by making his world famous french toast with Jake. AMAZING!

 

The Chefs in action

Luke having his with a side of Fruit Loops :)



Delicious!

After breakfast, we had a little unfinshed ping pong business to take care of.

 

Then we were surprised with some early Christmas presents - woohoo!

Merry Christmas!

Grandpa had one last surprise up his sleeve for Michael...the Silver Bullet!

Getting the lowdown on his new car!

State Bound!

Big Screen at Cowboy Stadium

Michael's high school football team made a historic run for the State Championship this year.  Michael had a blast going to regular season & state championship games.  After winning the semi-final game in Austin, Lamar was state bound.  They headed to Dallas to play in Cowboy Stadium December 22nd.  Lucky for us, we know a few great people in Dallas & are always looking for an excuse to visit them, even just for a quick 24 hr trip  :)

Michael decorated the car and we were on our way.  It is amazing how many past and present Lamar Alumni we ran into on the trip.  It was so fun to honk and wave to each other, & run into complete strangers at Whataburger's & gas stations who strike up a conversation because of the car & their ties to Lamar.  It was great!

We drove to my brothers house where my parents met us for a fun early dinner. Then Don, Michael, Trevor, Grandpa, Bob, Alex & Ashlynn headed off to the game. Michael quickly headed off to the student section with friends & the others had a great time with each other.

The game was great but unfortunately Lamar wasn't able to come away with the win against Allen (the infamous school with the $60 Million Football Stadium!).  But it was a fantastic run & it is always fun to go to State. 

Go Redskins!!