Fun, Games and a concert

My parents get invited to this big Christmas party each year. Last year was our first time to go and it was so fun. This year was even better. We got there soon after the party started and the kids each got to spend lots of time playing and having fun. Barrett really enjoyed all of the huge bounce houses and slides and climbing the rock wall. Brooklyn liked the merry go round and the riding a pony. There was lots of good food, but our favorite was the funnel cakes and hot chocolate. And the entertainment was awesome. Were were in the middle on row 5, up close to Bon Jovi!! I love Bon Jovi and he was awesome!! They played lots of great songs and we were so close! It was a wonderful time for us all. Thanks mom and dad for inviting us.

Brooklyn had a Christmas program at the church where she attends preschool this past Sunday. It was so cute. They sang songs and reenacted the story of Jesus' birth. Our friends, Emma and Garrett were Mary and Joseph. Brooklyn's class were sheep and they were so cute. It was a really sweet program.

We went to a Living Nativity this weekend. It was also at the church where Brooklyn goes to school. It was a very cold evening, but we enjoyed petting the animals, drinking hot chocolate and watching a play of the birth of Jesus. It was so neat. They did an awesome job!

And, here is a picture of Brooklyn. She is dressed in her Christmas jammies and is Cowgirl Mary with baby Jesus(aka Curious George). She is playing the guitar to keep baby Jesus happy!!!

Christmas Favorites

Songs:

All I Want For Christmas Is You- Mariah Carey

Santa Claus is Coming to Town- Mariah Carey

Baby Its Cold Outside-Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison

A new fave-Christmas Must Be Something More- Taylor Swift

Joy To the World
Smells:

freshly cut Christmas tree
fire in the fireplace
cookies baking

Traditions:

Christmas tree-We usually pick out a real tree that has already been cut, but this year we went to a Christmas tree farm and I hope to continue that tradition

Cookies- Growing up, my siblings and I always decorated cut-out sugar cookies with my dad. I do the same with the kids . We also make a gingerbread house.

We go to the Zilker Christmas tree and Trail of Lights each year. It is fun to eat funnel cake and spin around under the tree
Looking at Christmas lights- we enjoy looking at lights in different neighborhoods

Treats:

Starbucks Gingerbread Latte and Caramel Brulee Latte

Eggnog

homemade sugar cookies with icing

peppermint bark

peanut butter balls

Movies:

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

Miracle On 34th Street

Home Alone

Elf

Decorations:

Ornaments- every year growing up, Derek and I both got ornaments each year. We carry on that tradition and buy the kids ornaments that reflect their interests that year.

Snowman- I collect snowman and think they are cute

Snow Village- I also collect these, but have alot less than my snowman. I like that I have pieces that have something to do with me or things I like

What are your Christmas faves?

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like...

Christmas!!

I love this time of year. It is so fun to listen to Christmas music and get in the holiday spirit. It is nice too that it has been a little cold here. We went to Elgin on Sunday and got our Christmas tree. The kids had a great time picking out the perfect tree. They even helped Derek cut down the tree. After we picked our tree, we got some hot chocolate, ran through the maze and looked at the animals. We decorated the tree on Monday and Barrett was a huge help. He was so excited to put the ornaments on. It was fun. The stockings are hung too. We've even got some presents under the tree. Merry!!!Merry!!!

Thanksgiving 2009

We went to Houston for Thanksgiving and were with my parents, all my siblings and spouses and their kids. It was a wonderful time spent together. We even got to see my grandparents and my aunt and a few cousins. There was lots and lots of yummy food to eat. We played kickball, the Wii, jumped in the bounce house, ran the Houst0n Turkey Trot, made TG crafts, went shopping on Black Friday, some of the guys golfed and we all laughed and talked alot. It was a crazy, noisy time together and it was great!!