Merry and Bright

American Girl dolls for two great girls!

What, a Wii U?!

This is the face Emme made when we asked for a big smile.  :)

Cloudy the Parakeet got a new roommate, Jingle, and a new cage.  Cloudy and Jingle didn't get along too well at first, but it seems to be getting better now.

Presents galore!

Stephen got me a really cute purse and an iPad!

I got him tickets to the Cotton Bowl and some new Timberland shoes (his old ones are literally falling apart).  As you will see below, I hope we end up getting to go to the Cotton Bowl.

It is funny to watch one kid take to playing with another kid's toy, as was the case here with Emme's remote control car.

And as was the case with Harrison's metal detector.

Fa la la la la la la la loopsies.

Grandma V was there to take part and assist.  She is always a big help!

Some things never go out of style, like Pogo sticks.

So this is why the Cotton Bowl trip is in some doubt.  Stephen was playing with the kids at the park on Christmas Eve, and he tried to jump from the ground to the second level of the play set at the park.  He made it . . . but he paid the  price in his neck and back!  What is up with him and getting weird illnesses (ear cartilage infection) and injuries (sliced his toe open a few Thanksgivings back and now this) when he is off work?!?  I guess this means he just has to stop taking vacation in the future!

Family and the Holidays

Holidays are about family.  And we have had some fun family gatherings over the last month.  When my family was here for Thanksgiving, we had Stephen's sister, Debbie, snap a quick group photo of all of us.  Given the number of kids, I think it turned out great.  She also took a few individual family shots.  Deb was thrust into duty as a photographer, something she does not regularly do, when the person we had originally planned to take the pictures was unavailable.  Thanks, D!

We also hosted Stephen's family's annual Christmas gathering.  Thirty six family and extended family gathered to celebrate the season.  It was a lot of fun!

 

 

 

End of the Year Programs and Recitals

Bella had a gymnastics program.  Here she is with her buddies.

Bella has great balance!

Sophie had her Christmas program.

She actually helped write the script for the program and sang a duet in it.  Great job, Soph!

And Emme was quite the cutey in her ballet recital . . . :)

Precious!

Santa's Wonderland and the Nutcracker in one Weekend

It was a busy but fun holiday weekend!  First, we went with some friends to Santa's Wonderland just outside of College Station.  The lights, hay ride, pony rides, petting zoo, fake snow, and live music set just the right country Christmas mood.  The following day, we went to the Nutcracker at the Wortham Center and enjoyed the other end of the holiday spectrum.  Stephen's former law firm held a special screening event, as they have in the past, and we got great seats and backstage access after the show, where a family friendly party with the cast ensued.  What a great way to spend the weekend!