Snow Day at Clay's

Christmastime is Here!

For the past three years, Lone Star College Cy-Fair has had a Lighting of the Lake Festival.  The first year left a lot to be desired, but we kept going back.  We figured it would be a good rehearsal with Santa.  Each year it's gotten better and more organized.  This year was by far the best.  Alyssa made a candle for Hanukkah, a Christmas ornament, and decorated a gingerbread man.  We had hot chocolate and cupcakes while listening to the jazz ensemble.  There was an ice sculptor.  Seeing a man make something out of a huge chunk of ice and a chainsaw was pretty impressive.  We got our face painted.  And of course, we saw Santa.  And even though it was very chilly it was so much fun!

James was not happy that we wanted him to sit on this old man's lap.

She was so excited to see Santa, but still a little timid.

They talked it out.

And soon became fast friends.

Showing off our face painting.

My babies listening to the jazz music (and eating cupcakes).

Thanksgiving Vacation in El Paso

Lunching with Cousin Mira

James "helping" decorate the tree.

Grandbabies setting up the train.

Mira and James at El Paso Zoo

K-pa, Alyssa, Mira, Gamma, Vanessa, Uncle Jake, Mommy and James watching sea lions.

Bowling at Ft. Bliss

She was a pro by the end of the night.

Thanksgiving at GG's

Love them!

Family pic Thanksgiving day.

Boys at Chuy's in Van Horn, TX

Girls at Chuys.

Our Little Family

is growing!

I was trying to think of a clever way to announce Baby #3. 

Here we grow again.

We're expanding by two feet.

Some bunny new is coming (since baby is due around Easter).

Whoopsie, we did it again!

In the end, we're just really excited to be welcoming a new baby.  Baby is due April 25, 2012.

Locks of Love and Pumpkin Carving

It was time to chop off all of my hair again.  I've grown out, chopped off, grown out my hair probably 4-5 times.  If my hair is long enough I alway try to donate it to Locks of Love.  I feel 5 lbs lighter.  Here is my ponytail.

We also carved pumpkins today.  In the past we've tried to go to a pumpkin patch and pick the perfect pumpkin.  This year, time got away from us.  So, I brought one home from the grocery store.  Must remember not to procrastinate next year.  Also, since I waited so long there were slim pickings on pumpkins.  Instead of one big family one I got two smaller ones.  Alyssa did not like the "guts," but she did keep a few "nuts" to plant.  No matter how many times I told her they were seeds she kept calling them nuts.  We have one jack-o-lantern and one kitty cat.

Alyssa's First Sleepover

Alyssa's best friend is Ian.  This is incredibly lucky for me since my best friend happens to be Ian's mom.  We watched Ian and Evan while their parents went to a wedding.  They were going to get back late so we would need to put them to bed at our house.  Instead of waking them up in the middle of the night to go home we decided that since everyone was sleeping peacefully they'd just stay the night.  James was in his crib.  Evan was in a pack and play in Alyssa's room.  Ian and Alyssa slept on the futon in the play room.  Don't worry, Jonny made sure there was no funny business.  Alyssa was so excited Ian and Evan slept over.    They played until I made them lay down and they woke up playing.  It was fun.  She wants to have 'another sleepover' every day!  My favorite part was when we took all of them to a birthday party and someone commented on how well behaved our 4 children were :)  While I loved having two 3 year olds, a 2 year old, and 1 year old for a little while I don't know if I could do it every day.

Eating pizza watching a cartoon.

Eating waffles in the morning.

James's Birthday Part III

On James's actual birthday we went to Chuck E Cheese and had cupcakes at home.  That weekend we went to the zoo.  Last weekend we went to the State Fair.  (We also had cake at Papa and Kiki's house, but those pictures are on Kiki's camera).  I was so excited to take the kids to the fair.  Growing up in the Dallas area we always got a free ticket and a day off of school.  It was a lot of fun.  Next year Alyssa is going to ride the big wheel.  She was so sad we didn't take her this year, but we just ran out of time!  We also went to the Dallas Arboretum during our visit.

In Cinderella's carriage

Goofy face with Uncle Tony and Aunt Devan

Standing by Big Tex

Driving the "bumpy car" with Kiki