Family fun

We are so glad to have Aunt Katie, Uncle Phil and Charlie here for Christmas! The first day that they arrived in Dallas we headed to Pappasitos to celebrate Phil's 30th birthday. It was a great time and a family favorite. Check out the token pic below. I also included some cute random pics from Mimi and Gramps house. We loved the colored lights on their tree!

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

Treats and Sweets with Santa (AKA Ho Ho)

This weekend was full of holiday cheer. Saturday we had a great time visiting the Arboretum for their Treats and Sweets with Santa event. Annabelle got to chat with "Ho Ho", eat cookies and yummy snacks, construct fun crafts and even pet a reindeer. She had a lot of fun and so did we. I love that she still can still remember the details of the event and talk about her favorite parts. She is loving Christmas and all the festivities this year!

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!

Icepocalypse 2013

What do you do when you are iced in for four days? Sleep, watch a lot of holiday shows and movies, make forts, make cookies, be silly and SLEEP more! We are going stir crazy but we have had a lot of great family time. Who hoo iceapocalypse 2013!

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!