Christmas Part 2

Mimi and Gramps hosted Christmas dinner at their house this year. It was very yummy and I particularly appreciate the fact that I didn't have to cook! We enjoyed a day full of food, fun and presents! Our annual white elephant exchange was a success... although I think Gramps was the all time winner with the most "useful" gifts. Annabelle had a great time playing with baby Charlie and Aunt Katie and Uncle Phil. She also loved opening more presents! Mimi and Gramps were very generous getting her a baby boy doll, elmo train set, dollhouse, airplane plus more. She loved every gift!

Can't wait to celebrate Christmas 2014 with baby Ethan in tow!

White elephant exchange winner!

Mimi and the grandkiddos

Christmas Day Part 1

Christmas day is magical when you have little ones. Its true--- Annabelle makes Christmas so much more fun. She is at an age where everything is so grand and exciting. I am not sure that she really understands the full Santa thing but she gets bits and pieces of it. I am 100% sure that she understands that she likes opening presents! And she had a lot of practice between all the gifts she received from Santa, Mimi and Gramps, and her uncles and aunts. It was so lovely and we enjoyed every second of our Christmas day. Here are pics of our morning opening presents at home then breakfast. I will add part 2 pics of our adventures at Mimi and Gramps house later.

Merry Christmas!

Ho Ho has been here!

Dad cooking breakfast

Mother Goose- one of A's favs from Kinsey and Gray

A's new scooter

Princess tent for our little princess

Breakfast consisted of chocolate chip pancakes, bananas and bacon. Yum

Daniel Tiger Trolley!! So happy!

O's treehouse! "Open it!"

Christmas Eve

I love being in town for the holidays. We really enjoyed going to Christmas Eve service at Wilshire with family and then heading over to Grimaldi's for dinner. Its our favorite -- with our favorite people. After dinner we headed home, put on pj's and watched Charlie Brown. A then headed off to bed and we waited for Santa. The perfect ending to a very perfect day.

The NorthPole Express

On Sunday we headed to the North Pole via the Polar Express. Annabelle was very excited to ride on the train and had a great time listening and singing carols throughout the trip. I don't think that she really understood the helper elves on the train or the little play that was after... but she smiled and happily took the souvenirs (silver bell and frosted chocolate milk drink) that they gave her on the train and at the end of the show.

The GVRR did a great job keeping the kids all interested and the train station area was decorated so nicely for Christmas. We all had such a great time and I really think that A would love to do this again next year.

Ready to ride the train

Mimi and Gramps came with us to the North Pole!

It is snowing!

Family pic in the snow

The whole crew

NorthPark Trains

The trains, the trains! This was our one trip out of the house this past weekend. We went to Northpark Mall to see the trains and let A run some of her energy out!

She loved it... especially the Thomas and Percy trains! Can't wait to ride on the GVRR Northpole Express next weekend!

Cookies and Aprons

It is cookie time again! Mimi, Mommy and Annabelle are already two cookie batches into our newest holiday tradition. We made the raspberry, almond thumb cookies first and the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies second. This year we are styling in the kitchen with new matching aprons- made specially by Mimi- and embroidered with our names! So cute! Check out the pics. Can't wait to make some more cookies but even more excited to EAT them on Christmas!

Decorating the House

"Mommy, can I help you?"

Annabelle has been so excited about helping me decorate the house. She loves the tree so I gave her full range to decorate the bottom with her own ornaments. She has been great! It seems like every little Christmas trinket I pull out gets a "wow" or a "it's so pretty" remark. I especially loved her excitement when the singing penguin made its return. We have heard, "its Christmas time again.... bells are ringing, children singing, magic fills the air...." over and over since it came out of the box! I will have to get a video or two before the thing gives out!

Here are some pics of the decorating fun. Enjoy!

Tree Hunting

We headed out to Van Alstyne to find the perfect Christmas tree this year. The Wintergreen Tree Farm came highly recommended by our neighbors who have been out to the farm for the last 10 + years. I went with high expectations and most were met. The actual farm was quaint and there were plenty of things to do: gift shop, playground, hot chocolate, hayrides and SANTA! Annabelle loved riding on the hayride and running around the trees. She even talked a big game wanting to see "Ho Ho." Turns out she was still scared of the big man and wouldn't even sit on his lap.... I think after seeing him a couple more times this month we will eventually get her to smile but no success on the first round. 

Unfortunately, the trees on the farm were on the smaller side due to lack of rain so we ended up buying one of their pre cut trees (from Virginia!). I felt bad at the time but it turns out that the chosen tree ended up being one of the best looking ones that we have ever had! Also, we still gave them a lot of business and will be back again next year.

Here are the pics.

It is a beautiful day to look for a Christmas tree!

Hayride time!

A wanted a Charlie Brown tree

Family pic time

So much fun riding the hayride

Visiting Ho Ho

A broke down and took the candy cane from Ho Ho!

Christmas Playgroup

Hi there!! You might have thought that I dropped off this earth since its been so long since my last update!

This one is a bit of a throw back- pics from our Christmas playgroup. Tessa was so sweet to take tons of pics (she is getting to be quite the photog!). I am including just a few. Obviously we had an amazing time and the decorations and food ect were fab but I was really just so glad that Annabelle and I got to visit with our friends. My new work schedule has interrupted our normal playdates and we miss our friends terribly!

Christmas Day in Dallas

Christmas is for the kiddos. I love watching Annabelle's face as she discovers all her new toys. She is still so young that I am not sure that she really understands what is going on but she is catching on. I think that she will really be into opening presents next year! Regardless, A made out well this year with a new play kitchen and table and chairs. She also got a potty, clothes ect... not as interested in those gifts! HA!