Mackenzie Meets Santa

Snow!!!

Please disregard the pink hat and mittens. They used to be Gabby's, but we needed something.

In other news, Mackenzie took her first steps on December 1st, making her my earliest walker out of my three kids. She is 10 1/2 months. Wow! I guess she's learning from her brother and sister!!!!

Isn't she growing up sooo fast?

Yes, we really saw snow today. And like a kid, I went outside with Alex and spun in it, and tasted it and laughed. I was so giddy. It's one of those rare moments when all of the conditions were right and it happened here in Houston. It was an incredible feeling. I haven't seen much snow in my life, so when I see it it thrills me so. Alex loved it, although he didn't understand how rare the moment was, and he was ready to go back in. His mittens were soaked, and so were our boots. I only wished Gabby was home from school so she could have joined us. Maybe it will still be here when she gets off the bus. I know she would have had a blast with us. Seriously, I have done nothing today, but stare out the window and drink hot cocoa. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Thanksgiving Vacation

Just relaxing...that's what the holidays are all about!

"What? Oh, I just needed a tissue."

Baking pumpkin spice cookies with mommy.

Hanging out with cousin Katie at Grandma's house.

Aunt Shannon is helping Mackenzie walk.

Guys talking sports.

Dinner time!!!

Baby's first Thanksgiving.

Naptime already? Nah, just pretending.

Time to get out the Christmas decorations!!!

Decorating fun!

Every year we have our annual slumber party. First we have Chinese food in the dining room, then we have smores and eggnog for dessert, next we decorate the Christmas tree, and lastly we have a slumber party where we watch Polar Express and sleep in the living room.

Egg nog and smores!

Alex had to change his pajamas after spilling his eggnog, but that didn't stop him from enjoying decorating the Christmas tree.

Movie time!!!!

This year we added a smaller tree to our den, so we have two trees. I love having two. I never get tired of seeing Christmas trees.

And now we have five stockings hanging from the fireplace. It's a great feeling seeing their little names in a row. I love my kids! I love Christmas! This year's gonna be a great one!

We had an excellent Thanksgiving this year! We spent this year with Chad's family in good ol' Missouri City. This year was everthing wonderful that you would expect of a perfect Thanksgiving:

#1 Good Food

#2Family Fun

#3 Christmas Decorating (to follow)

Is doesn't get any better than that!

To Do Box

To Do:

-Laundry

-Kids

It's nice to have everything in one place for organization sake!

Halloween!!!!

Alex's preschool teacher, Ms. Laura, painted faces on Thursday.

My kids showing off my friend, Amanda's designer halloween shirts.

Meow!

AHoy Mate!!!

Gido was a Benihenna (sp?) Chef

Mackenzie loved Grandma's pumpkin that lit up and laughed.

Cousins!!!!

We had an awesome Halloween. For me Halloween isn't about evil monsters or scary ghosts. It is about the joy I see in my kids eyes as they get dressed up and go trick or treating. And that's exactly what happened this year. Alex was the most excited. He was thrilled about the whole experience, especially when he tried to stuff candy in his mouth constantly. At the end of the night he was sad b/c he thought Halloween was over and his candy would be gone. He was happy to learn that his candy would be waiting for him in his pumpkin at the top of the fridge to be rationed out at dessert times. But, I mean come on, who can eat that much candy? Mackenzie could care less about the whole night. Gabby had the trick-or-treat thing down by now, but she was still very into it. We also carved the pumpkin that we picked at Dewberry. Other than being a little grossed out, Alex and Gabby enjoyed watching a plain ol' pumpkin turn into a real Jack O' Lantern. Halloween was definately the family day we wanted it to be and now I just gotta put away the decorations....ugh. Out with the old and in with the new... Thanksgiving!!!!