What a sweet house!

 We got a big gingerbread house kit this year and it was so much fun to decorate!

Bear cooperated and napped for part of the time, and then sat in his high chair and happily ate crackers and candy so even Mommy and Daddy could decorate :)

 The finished product- above is Daddy's front and EJ's side. Daddy and Birdy teamed up on the roof.  Below is Mommy's front and Birdy's side and Mommy and Birdy's roof. 

This was so fun I think we have a new Christmas tradition!

Boy + Tree

 I think Bear has actually been kinder to the Christmas tree than the other kids. He likes to look at and touch the ornaments, but he rarely takes them off. When he does, he likes to put them back on. Definately not what we expected!

 He sure does love the tree. I hope he isn't too unhappy when it comes time to take it down!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

 

 One warm and rainy Texas night we piled into the car in search of Santa's cozy cabin hideaway, which happened to be conveniently located in the mall.  After a surprisingly short wait, the girls finally got to visit with the big guy and give him their newly revised wish lists (good luck with that kids- you can't switch things up on Santa a week before Christmas!)

Bear was perfectly content to keep an eye on the scary, hairy guy in the big red suit from the safety of Daddy's arms. At one point, Daddy started walking in Santa's direction and Bear started to fuss and panic. The girls helpfully told Santa Bear's wish list for him :)

Then, to our surprise and delight, it started to SNOW! Right there inside the mall, tiny snowflakes that looked suspiciously like bubbles came floating down.  As you can see, the girls were delighted. Bear was unimpressed.

Merry Christmas to all those we love! I hope Santa finds you tonight (and that you have been nice!)

Nativity Hayride

One of my favorite things about living in TX so far is that we are surrounded by so many people of faith. There is a church on practically every corner of all different denominations. It is nice to know that there are so many people around us that share our love for the Savior - especially at Christmas time!

The Lutheran church on the way to the store advertised a Live Nativity. There were so many of these displays that I'd heard about going on all around our city, but this one had the advantage of being on the right weekend and during the day so it was warmer!  

We rode in wagons pulled by tractors and stopped in front of little scenes from the story of Jesus' birth.  They had a recording of the scriptures from the New Testament that corresponded with that scene.  The girls LOVED it.  They really liked the visual representation of the scripture that was being read.

It didn't hurt that they had real goats and camels!

After our nativity hay ride, we visited the little petting zoo.  They had a 5 week old baby camel. He was SOOO soft and cute. I totally want one for Christmas!

The girls weren't as impressed by the baby camel as I was, but they really enjoyed the goats and miniature donkey's and this guy (whatever he is).  Bear was really, really excited by the animals water bowl and tried to pick up some goat, um, pellets.  He didn't care about the actual animals themselves!

After we visited with the animals, we went inside for some hot chocolate, cookies and crafts.  It was a really fun and Christ-centered way to get ready for Christmas!

P.S. DMP and I can't decide. Is it sacrilegious to take a picture with "Mary" and "Joseph" and "baby Jesus" like they're Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland?

Stockings!

We love having a fireplace and a real mantle to hang our stockings on this year.  But Grandma?  One of these things is not like the other...  Hint Hint :)

Dear Grandma and Grandpa K

Dear Grandma and Grandpa K,

Thank you so much for the awesome Christmas box. All three kids loved their new Christmas hats, but Bear especially loves wearing his.  He also loves his new stuffed Santa friend and stocking.  EJ and Birdy loved the books and other decorations!

Thanks lots!

Love,

Mak

The Swacket

We were cutting through Dillards on our way to visit Santa, when we came accross this little gem.  There are just so many questions:

1. What the heck is a Swacket? Is it another misfit relation to normal clothes like jeggings and skorts?
2. Who would wear a leather jacket (or swacket) with ugly-Christmas-sweater emboridery all over it?
3. Who the heck would pay $199?!?!?  Seriously? You can't find ANYTHING better to spend your money on?