Christmas 2014

 Love my little family!

 This year for Christmas we decided to save some money and drive to UT.  HAHA- never again (but that's another story)!

Little mini did reach a very significant milestone on our trip!

When we finally made it to St. George we jumped right in to having fun with the cousins.
Ellie and Jase doing karaoke. 

Epic soccer games.

Racing 4-wheeler around Grandma & Grandpa's backyard.

 We of course had the annual Gingerbread house contest.

Then things go a little wild and crazy Christmas Eve with a Zoolanderson celebration

 because apparently "there is more to life then just being really really really ridiculously good-looking."

Play-dough pictionary.

Snuggle time with great-grandma Elaine.

The Nativity.

That night Santa Claus came and...

brought us...

pet RATS!!!!

 and everyone was happy!

p.s. later that night we went to look at lights- check out this crazy house!!!- They practically built a castle around their existing house and covered every square inch with lights.  There were all kind of figurines and music too!

We also spent some time with the Campbell cousins!

Jase and Gavin playing games

Tess and Maycee - cutest little girls had a blast together!

Christmas Season Traditions

 As we move through life we are finding traditions that stick and some that don't, but we are always trying new things too.  This was our first Christmas in Keller; here's some of the things we did!

Buy and decorate a live Christmas tree- this is a must every year since this time back in Boston. 

We also started a new tradition of the 25 Days of Christ- where we read a little story every night about the Savior and hang an ornament on the tree each night that symbolizes what we learned.  I loved doing this!

 We also went to see the Lights and Boats Parade on Grapevine Lake, which wasn't as fun as we anticipated and it was really cold- so we decided Krispy Kreme's and hot chocolate were a must.

I think we'll at least keep donut tradition :)

Of course, there was the ward Christmas party and visiting Santa!

After the dinner, the ward split up into small group and went caroling to non-member friends in the neighborhoods- it was a lot of fun!  I loved how much the kids loved it!

We also went with friends to a local church that puts on a live nativity and life of Christ performance.  You travel on  a little hayride and go through the different scenes of the Saviors life.  It was pretty cool, although the scene of the crucifixion may have been a little much for the kids.   

(also- this group of friends with all our little kiddos, makes quite an impact whenever we go anywhere together.  Someone said we looked like the Duggar family ha ha)

I just love this time of year and I am so grateful for the love and peace we felt during the season.

Grandma, Papa, Turkey & a Birthday!

My parents came out to Texas this year for Thanksgiving!  We loved having them here to celebrate gratitude and a new 7 year old in the house.   We got to use Ryan's finely made table- which is actually so big that it made our Thanksgiving feast look like a little appetizer- haha.  So thankful for my parents and my sweet little family- I love them so much!  

Thanksgiving fell right on Jase's birthday this year, so he blew out his candle from a pie and opened presents that morning!

A few days later we had his friend birthday party- which was all sports- what else!

The weather, although a bit windy, couldn't have been nicer for an outdoor party in late November :)- we love Texas!

(Papa trying to tame the wild one!)

(Esien, Gavin, Jase, Logan, Kinslee, & Landon upfront)

(Landon, Evra, Maycee, & Aria)

We also enjoyed some laid back time with my parents- feeding ducks, and fishing at the near by ponds.  These ducks were not afraid- a little too friendly maybe- Brynlee got up close and personal with them, but she loved it!

Grandma and Papa also got to check out Jase's new school and we all had lunch together with him.  

Oh man I love these people!!