Merry Christmas

Santa was VERY good to us this year, included in his delivery was a new digital camera that was used right away, and now I have to figure out how it works. We have all been playing the Wii and especially the Wii Fit-love it! Daddy and I have both set fitness goals and get healthier goals on the Wii Fit and it helps us keep track with our own personal trainers. There are different toys "set up" all over the house and the kids are having a fun time making their rounds each day. Grandma got a sewing machine and a crock pot so she is making lots of plans. I am thinking about venturing out to Target to use one of my gift cards (how nice) to get a wreath container and who knows what else. Let the clean-up begin!

The Nutcracker

We went to The Houston Ballet to see The Nutcracker, a tradition started when I was little and continuing on...we went on opening night and were able to meet the dancers at the end of the performance (see below). We had wonderful seats (make a note for next year) and really enjoyed ourselves. Doesn't Maya look so cute? I am still cleaning glitter up from the dress!

dancers

The Princess and the Frog

We went with some of the kindergarten girls and a couple of their friends to see The Princess and the Frog a couple of weeks ago. Then we went back to one of the girl's houses for a tea party. We had a wonderful time. The girls played for a long time together without any problems at all and the moms were able to get to know each other a little. My mom came with us and talked to another grandma, who she had met previously through work-what a small world, really. Logan and Daddy went to the football game that day and had fun too.

I am having technical problems with picasa capturing the pictures on the computer and I am not savvy enough to figure out the problem , so we are missing the following pictures that (hopefully) I'll be able to blog about soon:
The Nutcracker-we even got to meet the dancers AWESOME!
Texas snow
Christmas parties
Christmas program at school

Tracy's Birthday

We went out for dinner. Her husband had a banquet and Jeff was out of town, so we loaded up the kids and went out for Mexican food. Everyone had a great time!

Then we went for a ride with Santa in a horse drawn carriage-you know that was cool!

Logan and I in the carriage, right behind Santa himself.

Here is Maya with Bailey and Santa-he was even telling us how the reindeer fly because they have special reindeer flying food. It was so great!

Merry Christmas Y'all

Here is our Christmas card this year! What a couple of cute cowkiddos. It is safe to say we have settled into our lives here in Texas. Maya rides horses, and would give up anything to make her lesson every Saturday morning. Logan has recently swapped his love of cows for that of bulls and bison/buffalo. He even asked for a bull (riding) video for Christmas. We hope you enjoy this holiday season and keep in mind the true meaning of Christmas when you gather with family and friends. Happy Birthday Jesus!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

School's out because of SNOW!!!

Yes, this is the truth. In fact we had all of the kids out playing in the snow this morning. The temperature is dropping quickly and many of our parents and teachers have to cross bridges that are frozen, so school is out and we are at home enjoying our taste of winter. So far it is very wet snow that isn't sticking to the roads, but we have had snow bursts that reminded me of Ohio. It sure helps you get in the Christmas Spirit when you can drink coffee in your favorite chair watching the snow falling out the window.

Christams Tree from IKEA 3rd year

Yes, today was Christmas trees at Ikea day (among other things, like getting three fillings at the dentist-yuck!). I have gone every year since we moved to Texas (and there aren't too many tree farms here) to IKEA to get our fresh cut Christmas tree from Oregon (be still my heart). They are only $20 and you get a coupon for $20 to use in February or March of the next year (LOVE that). So this year Jeff and I headed out there on his lunch break while both kids were at school. (Since I had taken the day off for the dentist) Then we had lunch at my all time favorite restaurant Red Robin. Of course I had the Teriyaki Chicken Burger and a Strawberry Lemonade-my favorite. I'll post a picture of the tree when Jeff gets home with it, I don't even untie it before we move it in to the house-its like a big surprise. Where in the house will it go this year?

Thanksgiving Pics

Click to enlarge

Maya and Logan decided to make a fort out of Logan's bunk bed (top, left). However, they didn't tell me that was what they were up to. They just started taking all of our blankets from the living room up the stairs. Then when they were done they called me upstairs to check out the scene. Maya helped cook most of the food (middle, right)we prepared and she also set the table(middle, left and bottom, right). She did an amazing job and is really proud of her accomplishments. She even almost tried something new at dinner, but changed her mind and only ate turkey and bread. Logan helped get ready too (bottom, left). He cleaned up all the little messes he made with his torn paper (his favorite toy is a piece of paper, it could be anything from TP to computer paper and he tears it up into little pieces. I think we'll nickname him Shredder). Maya was the cat (top,right) in the school Thanksgiving play (that was the part she wanted so she was very happy) the classes did an excellent job. I recorded it on my camera, but it was dark and the video isn't that great. Today Logan and Maya baked cookies for Daddy-here they are looking in the oven (center, bottom).

We had quite a feast yesterday: smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry-raspberry jello salad, broccoli salad, sweet potato casserole, green bean bake, cranberry-apple stuffing, Hawaiian bread, pumpkin pie (organic), and a rice krispie treat turkey. We have so much to be thankful for!

Dance Team

Maya recently practiced and then performed with the High School dance team. She had the best time. They practiced Monday and Tuesday for 2 hours each day and then performed at half time at the football game on Wednesday. She had a blast!

Super Logan

Halloween continued

Logan dressed like Captain Hook, but without a sword, or hook, or wig-so everyone kept asking if he was Hugh Heffner (what!?!) Yeah, right I would let my 4 year old dress up like that! No people, he was a pirate. Maya was a movie star. She designed her own costume and was THRILLED with how it turned out.

Here is the movie star!

Logan infront of the fireplace-we loved that.

Grandpa and Maya working on crosswords-this is adorable.

Carving Pumpkins with Grandpa

It has been the tradition for Grandpa to come visit for Halloween and carve pumpkins. This year we went camping at Jellystone Park in Waller, TX for Halloween, so that's where they carved the pumpkins.

Here is the cabin we stayed in. This IS NOT the kind of camping I did as a child. When I was little we slept in tents and really "roughed"it. I prefer the AC and fireplace we had over that now, not to mention a comfortable bed.

Logan was into this! He has this quote on his wall "boy, n. a noise with dirt on it." Need I say more?

Maya made a cat on the right and Logan made a mouse on the left, complete with a tail. Did I mention how lucky we are that Grandpa is an engineer and LOVES to figure out just how to make everything work? We are SO lucky!

50's and 60's dress up day for Red Ribbon Week

Maya and Logan had a great time dressing up the whole week for Say No to Drugs Red Ribbon Week. I am impressed that we had all this stuff already and just used our creativity to compile the perfect outfits.

Pumpkin pictures

Maya at the Woodlands Mall. Logan refused to be in the picture.

Our house ready for Halloween.

Maya's field trip to the pumpkin patch.

It was "chilly" at 70 degrees, my how we have adapted to the hot Texas weather!