Christmas 2012

'Twas the week before Christmas...

And Abby had her kindergarten Christmas party.

Rudolf even paid us a visit.

'Twas the night before Christmas... 

And the children were nestled all snug in their beds.

And the next morning...stockings!

 Helping Mimi explore her new bird book.

Hello Kitty headband!

Even Daisy dog found something new to enjoy.

My favorite part of the morning, the new family magazine!

After dinner, we went British and popped our crackers from Mimi's friend Carol.   

Each one had a paper crown, a joke page, and a small toy. We had so much fun reading all the silly jokes and playing with the little toys.

Isaac enjoyed snuggling with Bitsy at bedtime.

'Twas the day after Christmas, and we went ice skating!

Some of us lasted longer than others (who picks a snow cone for a treat at an ice rink?!).

 Isaac picked ice cream.  Also not what I would choose on a cold day.

 Funny kids.

  

 Home, unpacked, new toys put away...now we can really get to the play time!

Quick Trip...to Lubbock?

We were a little bit crazy this weekend.  We left at 4 in the morning on Saturday and drove to Lubbock (8 hour drive, for those of you who aren't familiar with this area).  

Abby thought it was the best day ever because she got to have her own package of mini donuts for breakfast.

We got to our cousins' house in time for a change of clothes and some fall-leaf fun.

And then we headed to the civic center to see the Nutcracker ballet.

Nana helped the kids find their seats...in the second row, center!  Both kids were so good during the show and really liked it. 

The best part of all was that  cousin Luke played Clara's little brother Fritz (and did such a great job creating a nuisance) and a toy soldier, and cousin Ellie played one of Mother Ginger's little children.

After the show, Luke took Abby under his wing and led her around the theater to get autographs from all the dancers, whom he knew by name.  He introduced her every time, "This is my cousin, Abby.  Can she have your autograph?"

The best autographs in the book are from Ellie and Luke.

Abby was in little-girl heaven with so many dancing "princesses" around.

And, of course, Clara was a favorite.

Abby and Clara.

Nana and Ellie.

Abby and Ellie...in costume.  Later that evening, Luke and Ellie had to go back for the evening performance.   Aunt Robin snuck Abby backstage so she could watch from the wings as Ellie did her dance again.  Coolest Aunt Ever!

When we got back to the house in the afternoon, Uncle Matt proved that he is also the coolest ever by helping the kids rake the leaves into one giant pile.

A quick cousin pic by the leaf pile.

Then, jump!

Oh my goodness, my kids love their older cousins so much.

Thanks, Luke and Ellie, for being so fabulous and for loving on my kids the way you do.

The next day... we were on the road again.

Singing Christmas songs with the muppets.

We drove past many cotton farms and snagged some cotton that had piled up on the side of the road.

Even with lots of driving, this was a fantastic weekend.  

Rockabye Baby

I have been going through pictures from 2012 and I came upon a reoccurring theme.  I'll post here and let you guess the theme yourself.

And one with the boy too.

So sweet when they're sleeping.