Christmas Day with Ashley's Family

We spent Christmas Day with Ashley's family were we indulged in way too much lunch and desserts.  The kids played and played.  The got to open some fun new presents and between two sets of grandparents we managed to get enough toys for a whole new playroom.  The kids all got some fun new ride-ons.

Christmas Morning 2010

We put the girls to bed last night after leaving cookies, dr pepper, and a letter for Santa.  We even left carrots and water for his reindeer.

When we woke up on Christmas morning the reindeer ate their carrots and drank their water.

And Santa came and left presents.  He left exactly what the girls had asked for.  A "big" American Girl doll and a bubblegum machine for Ava.

And a Popcorn machine on wheels for Grace.

We opened presents.  Trust me these are alot of boxes but they contain almost all clothes which the girls both needed.

 Even Dusty got new toys and treats.

 We got to fun stuff in our stockings.

 And Rudolph drank his water because his nose turned it red!

Christmas Eve with mommy's family

This year was our turn to celebrate Christmas Eve with my family.  We had lunch at my parents  and then all opened gifts.  Afterwards we all went to my cousins house for the extended family party.

Our very own Reindeer

Decorating Christmas Cookies

The kids decorated Christmas cookies and had a fun messy time.  And as much as this mommy loves her babies I was not going to eat a cookie that they ended up using their fingers to decorate instead of their knives.

Ava's Christmas Program

Ava had her 1st Christmas Program at her new school.  It was so sweet to see her get up in front of everyone and sing her little heart out with all of her hand motions.  She did a GREAT job!  She loves her new school and we are so glad to see the changes that she has gone through.

Peace and Love Gingerbread House

The girls decorated their annual Gingerbread house this year.  This is the first year that they ventured from the traditional look and instead the roof was given a  heart and a peace sign.

ICE

We went to visit The Gaylord and see ICE for my mother in law's birthday.  The theme this year was Charlie Brown Christmas and the colors were amazing.  It was really cold but so much fun!  The girls never complained about the cold temps and instead embraced it and enjoyed sliding down the ice hills over and over again.

Newly Renovated Children's Aquarium and Butterfly Garden

Sara and I took the kids to the Newly renovated Children's Aquarium in Fair Park.  It is so much nicer than it used to be.  I'm glad that they were forced to remodel.  Now there is a touch and feel tank when you first walk in and outside is a large tank that also has a stingray touch and feel area.  Mason and Jackson loved the stingray touch and feel.  Grace and Ava not so much.  When Ava finally decided she wanted to try and feel a stingray she asked me to help her get her hand in the tank.  Once I put her hand down in the tank and a stingray got close she screamed bloody murder and everyone looked at me.  Since the museums were free that day and things weren't crazy busy we also went to the butterfly garden.  The kids really enjoyed it.

The turtle was easier to photograph than the kids.

Catching up

A group of friends from school and church all met for dinner the Friday night after Thanksgiving.  It was so much fun to catch up since we rarely see each other.

Thanksgiving 2010

This year was out turn to spend Thanksgiving with my parents, sisters, their spouses, and our nephews.  My grandparents moved to town in the last year and were there also.  There is so much to be Thankful for this year.