Seeing Santa

 The kids saw Santa and it was mixed reviews.

2014

Love a good look back...

2011

2012

2013

and I also love a good build up leading to a cry...

 

 They sure do grow fast!

Christmas Celebrations - Random

 Looking back at my December pictures we sure were busy little elves.  

We decorated our house.

I spy Rebecca.

 

We decorated our tree.

 We got a new tree this year and I was pretty pumped to put it up.  We jumped the gun and it was up before Thanksgiving.

 How sweet is she?

 We decorated cookies...

  This was the first year Benjamin got creative with his decorative skills.  Robots, race cars, super heroes were all featured cookies.

 He insisted his cousins have their own cookies too. 

Can't forget about Jesus. :)

 We attended Hayley's annual Christmas party and had a blast!

The kids met Santa...

 Rebecca needed a refreshment after her Santa experience which will be featured on my next post.

 They decorated cookies and tea towels with their name on them.

 The babies got in on the action too!

 Our friend Corrie took professional pictures of the girls for us.

 Amanda had success...

 I did not.

Merry Christmas everyone.

 Every girl needs a Christmas purse, right?

 Denbury holiday party. 

 I love making Will do these pictures because he gets really nervous sitting for the artist. :)

 One night Amanda and I switched kids. 

 I had these tiny vultures.

 They were so hungry after a full meal moments before.

 Amanda took the older kids to the Lights Parade on the square.  They had a blast!

 Benjamin had a great time at his school party.

 My baby you will always be.

 I pray they are buds for life.

 He was so excited about his school program.

Hey, watch those hands buddy.  Gig'em.

 Rebecca was ready to cheer her big bro on.

 She had only been walking a few days and we were so proud to see her out and about showing off.

 Daddy cuddles.

 The second Benjamin's class came in and he saw us he turned his head.  Literally the kid would not make eye contact.  His teachers later told me they think he did that because he was there to sing not be social.  Rule. Follower.

  Looking precious on stage.

 His best bud was close by.

 Love that these two get to do things together.

 Holding hands on our way to Chick-Fil-A.

 The kids were excited to see the cow out greeting people.

 They were even more excited when she joined them in the play zone.

I think she later regretted this decision. :)

 Stay tuned for more (yes more!) Christmas pictures!

Christmas Celebrations - Tula Edition

 It is no secret in our family that my mom LOVES Christmas and with that love comes LOTS of traditions.  Many of my childhood traditions have been passed onto Amanda and I to continue with our little families so Tula has started some new ones.  She sure does know how to make the Christmas season a special one.  This post is all about Tula Traditions.

Trains at Northpark

"Bye bye Daddy.  Have fun at the TCU game.  I am off to the mall!"

 The first thing we did was listen to a story read by Santa.  The kids didn't move a muscle the whole time.

 The kids loved watching all the trains zoom by.

What would we do without all of the extra set of hands?!

 The gingerbread man was a hit.

 

 Tula treated the kids to a cookie making event.

 The loved it!

 The whole gang.

 While on Aunt Amanda's watch... 

 The Living Nativity

The next Tula tradition is attending the Living Nativity in Plano.  We ate a yummy dinner before and then headed over the the show.

"Cousins!"

 The show was so magical and everyone had so much fun.  I recommend every family attending this every year.

Santa! 

 His mouth was open majority of the time. 

Aunt Ashley and Uncle Rett joined in on the fun too!

 The boys stayed up past their bedtime...

 but quickly got a second wind when it started snowing!

 Luke had a little meltdown during intermission because he couldn't believe how late it was.  It was hysterical. It was also only 8:00 which made it more hysterical.  He did not appreciate me snapping his picture. :)

 Love my boy.

 The show was a great reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. They did a beautiful job telling the story of Christ's birth.

 Tula's Annual Christmas Cousin Breakfast

 The last Tula tradition is her breakfast. 

 She started the party out right...

 The big kids loved all the decorations she had out for their Christmas waffles.

 Audrey refused to smile for me.

 They each got a special gift they were able to open that morning and some reindeer food for Christmas Eve.

 After gifts we headed upstairs and watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  

The girls weren't paying too much attention... this was not a planned activity that morning.

 

These babies are SO SO SO blessed to have a Tula and a Pop in their lives.