All I want for Christmas is....

.....my two front teeth.  Okay.. he just lost one... but doesn't he look different? 

The Big Guy (and Frosty)

The kids got to see Santa a few times this year.  He appeared at one of Lizzy's choir concerts along with Frosty and Rudolf.  He also likes to visit Bass Pro shop, which I must say is one of the best places to see him.  Lots of fun stuff to do while you wait in line.  Lizzy wasn't into sitting on his lap this year and Sam totally was.  Andrew just smiles and goes along with it.  But no one had any trouble making Christmas requests. 

Fall Choir

Lizzy decided to join her school's choir this past fall.  They practiced every Monday throughout the semester.  In December she finally got a chance to show off all of her hard work and she was awesome.  It was seriously so much fun to see her up there singing her heart out.  Lizzy loved loved loved her time in the choir.  We're hoping it works out again to do next year. 

Sam enjoyed her concerts.  He had heard many of the songs as Lizzy liked to walked around the house singing all the time.  I think he knew some of the songs as well as she did come December.

Ornaments

Since Aaron and I were married... we have kept a Christmas tradition of getting a new ornament each year.  It's something his family did growing up and something we have really grown to love.  It kind of marks the beginning of the holiday season as we buy our ornaments and then pull out all of the previous years ornaments and do a bit of reminiscing.  There tends to be a lot of Christmas spirit, silliness and excitement all mixed in together. 

 Andrew went with a simple ornament with his initial on it.  He had a heck of a time picking this year.  This is perfect this year though because Andrew is kind of obsessed with his soccer medals.  This reminds me of those medals hanging in his room.

Aaron picked that puffy Santa guy.  It was actually designed by a child receiving cancer care at MD Anderson.  We like being able to contribute to a good cause and get cute ornaments all at once.

I picked a chocolate bar because hey what says Christmas better than chocolate?

 Sam was crazy about his airplane.  He is 3 and planes, trains and automobiles are all the rage.

 Lizzy picked a pink striped zebra.  It's pink.  It's cute.  It's all Lizzy.



Pictures

My awesome friend Melinda offered to do portraits of my kids as she is trying to start up her photography business.  I was happy with them in every way.  Talented friends are awesome.

 

 

 

Texas Style Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in Texas has been very different for us for a few reasons.  1.  No family nearby  2.  Warm weather and 3.  A whole week off of school instead of a few days. 

 So... we do things a little bit different... like awesome friends instead of family.  (Don't worry.... Football is the same anywhere in America... I suspect)

 My cute friend Alisha.

 Andrew was so excited to spend Thanksgiving with his best buddy Roman.

 Since it's different anyway we decided to do it all the way different.  We did not have turkey.  Instead Aaron pulled out his smoker and spent that day smokin' up some ribs and sausage.   I think that may be a tradition that sticks.

Our gratitude tree.

 Chelsea and her baby Avery

Oh... and pie.  Couldn't change that up... it's perfect just the way it is.  :)

And then there's the question of what to do with the other 4 days of vacation.  I think we found the perfect solution.  Shamu was by far my favorite, but everything was awesome.

 We were amazed to find that we could actually pet the dolphins for only $6 (the price of the little fishies to feed them.)

I didn't get a picture of this, but I wanted to remember that Lizzy shocked us all by deciding to ride the big  roller coaster with Aaron (Electric Eel I think).  Only the day before she said no way... no how... she'd rather die first.  The next morning she woke up in the hotel room and said... I'm going to ride the roller coaster today... and she did.  It was awesome.  And she loved it.

Ordinary Days (Fall Version)

 Trying to use my vast supply of pumpkin that I canned last year.  Yummy.

 I love the kids Thanksgiving production at school.  Lizzy did it in 1st grade and Andrew got to this year.  If that kid isn't adorable.... I don't know what is.  His favorite part was in this line when they say, "Praise the Lord!"

 Great fall weather means lots of outdoor time.  This "boat" was entertainment for a few afternoons.  Aaron later told me that I should have inspected those old boards they found behind the shed for rusty nails, but luckily no injuries occurred from this creation of theirs.

A few weeks after I got my new camera I dragged the kids to the park for an impromptu photo session.  Okay... I still have much to learn, but I'm loving this camera and I have cute kids.... so that helps.

Who needs toys.  Seriously.  We love boxes around here.