Christmas Cards 2013

 I finally got a digital print of our Christmas cards we sent out this year! I can assure you that I did get these bad boys in the mail, however, I have also gotten a handful of them returned...oops! Not sure what happened with some of them...and then there were those that I forgot to put stamps on. oye!

Anyhow, hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Lakewood Christmas Party

My parents and older brother Nick arrived on Friday - just in time for the cold front and rain...yay! Luckily our plans for Saturday were indoor - we took the boys to the Lakewood Country Club Children's Christmas Party. 

Both little boys sported their little bow ties (although Ryan didn't want to be photographed)

First things first...gotta fill those bellies!

Then the boys sat to watch the magic show! Well, Ryan sat...G didn't last very long!

Ryan was so interested in it - he sat the entire time and was mesmerized!

And then there was this guy walking around...I refer to him as the pirate elf. Betcha didn't know those existed?

And there is Ryan still in the audience. I seriously couldn't get him away...I was scared that when it was finally over he was going to get up and have a huge pee stain on his pants...luckily he didn't :)

Papu and G checked out the birds

Once the magic show was over Ryan wanted to see the birds too!

He even wanted one to get on his arm!

He enjoyed it until it squawked right in his face...then he was over it. 

So we went and decorated cookies. Yum!

We didn't make it to see Santa - the boys were officially over sitting on his lap so I didn't want to push it.  We did, however, peek out there to see the reindeer - so fun! 

After throwing down some cookies and candy we packed up and headed home for naps. We missed the monkey show (which I am sure Ryan would have loved) but there is always next year...

Buddy's Shenanigans (Days 18 - 25)

Day 18

Just hanging out on the refrigerator

Day 19

Oops - stuck outside!

Day 20

Taking a marshmallow bath...who wouldn't?

Day 21

Supper buddy!!!

Day 22

Captured by Woody and Buzz (not pictured)

Day 23

Just doing a little last minuted online shopping at the Disney store...

Day 24

Hanging from one of our pendant lights in the kitchen

Every time I see this picture I start signing "wrecking ball"...oh Miley. 

Day 25

Back to the north pole...

Some Pre-Christmas Fun

The holiday season is always filled with lots of gatherings and celebrations and this year was no different! About mid-December I hosted  little wrapping party  - the goal was to get my stuffed bought and wrapped so I didn't stress and have to do it ALL last minute. The result - even better, my friend Nat was so speedy she wrapped most of our gifts for us! Wohoo! 

Susanne and Nat having some bubby!

My little elf!

The next evening I hosted a Christmas potluck dinner for my MOPs group. It was incredibly easy - I didn't really have to decorate since all my Christmas stuff was already out AND I didn't have to prep any food. Everyone brought yummy Italian food, we talked we ate and we drank - so fun! We also had a little jewelry exchange which was super fun! Instead of doing the 'white santa' exchange where you can steal gifts we did a passing game called "Lefty Elf Christmas Story". It was super cute!

Oh, I also made a hot chocolate bar - yum!

On Monday we had our last little playgroup (before the holidays) for Grayson and his buddies - they are so darn cute!!!

And on Thursday we hosted a little Christmas book exchange party for Ryan's playgroup (which the littles are invited too as well!)

These are Frosty the snowman cups - popcorn and pirates booty. The pirate booty ones kinda look like ducks though...

The kids decorated Christmas trees - ice cream cones. I debated on gingerbread houses, gingerbread men, cookies or cones...and I went with the cones because it required the least amount of effort! lol

Grayson was a HUGE fan of all the sweets...

We moved the little brothers to their own table...they were quite happy

Pierce and Grayson really enjoyed themselves.

Grayson and Oliver hanging by the bounce house

And we almost forgot to exchange books!

All of the kiddos ended up with a new book - so fun!

Advent Days 8 - 16

Day 8

Christmas Cookies and Hot Chocolate Play date

On Sunday we had a super fun hot chocolate play date planned with our neighbors - Hanna & Kate. Ryan LOVES these girls so he was incredibly excited for our afternoon treat! While the boys napped I headed out to Nat's Annual Cookie Exchange - and came home with tons of yummy cookies! It was perfect to bring over for our play date! The boys had a blast playing with legos and the girls!

 Day 9

Trains at North Park

We headed up to North Park to meet some friends and check out the trains. We actually got there right in time for story time with Santa so we decided to check that out first. 

The boys enjoyed it...although Santa was a tad longwinded...I think he could have shortened it just a tad! After his story we headed up to the trains!

Little G is a tad short this year but he loved the two areas where he could see the trains! 

Ryan loved watching all the trains but his favorite part was pushing all the buttons to see what they did! He found them all...and was impressed with each one! It's the little things...

Next year I want to buy a railcar for the boys! Proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas charity and I know they would love to find their train riding around!

After the trains we headed to the food court to get some Chick-fil-a! 

On the way out we checked out the awesome gingerbread house village - Yum!

Day 10

Celebrate Lyla's 8th birthday

We headed to Gloria's to celebrate Lyla's 8th birthday! The boys had a blast...Ryan just loves to sing Happy Birthday!

Day 11

Christmas Craft (done on Saturday night)

Day 12

Watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (done on Saturday night)

Day 13

Sleepover @ Gigi & Papas

We had Kevin's company Christmas party so the boys were invited to spend the night with Gigi & Papa. Ryan was soooo excited!

Making cookies with Gigi!

Kevin and I stayed at the Omni (where the holiday party was) and had a wonderful night away! The VMG party was casino themed which was so much fun! The food, music and entertainment was awesome - best VMG party yet!

So much fun!

Day 14

Tickets to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Family Christmas Concert

I was only able to secure two tickets so Ryan and I had a little date!

And there was SNOW at the end!

And on Saturday evening we played a little catch up with the ol' advent calendar...

We did our Christmas craft and made puppets! 

And then watch Roudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer...Ryan loved it!

Day 15

Check out Christmas Lights

After dinner we headed over to Hunter's Glenn to check out the amazing houses! Ryan LOVES looking at Christmas lights. He loves to point out Santa, Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman...

Day 16

Make Christmas Cards

Watch Frosty the Snowman
I don't seem to have any pictures of this but we did do this....