Getting ready for Santa

Once home from Aunt Bobbie and Uncle Max's house, the kids changed into their pajamas and spent some time in front of the Christmas Tree.

Then they put out the reindeer food (it was raining, so they just sprinkled it on the front porch), before heading off to bed.

Sarah was really freaked out about the thought of Santa Claus coming into her room to see if she was sleeping. So, she made a sign that read "Dear Santa, I am sleeping in my room. Please do not open the door or come in!" I kept the sign so I could take a picture, but I have no idea where it is...I probably accidentally threw it away :'(

Christmas Eve at Aunt Bobbie's!

Growing up, I have fond memories of going to visit my Aunt & Uncle and playing with all (4) of my cousins. As the years have passed and everyone has gotten married, had kids, divorced, remarried, blended families, had more kids, and so on....talk about fun when everyone is together!
I remember growing up that if my boyfriend survived a holiday at my Aunt & Uncle's house he was a keeper! Thankfully, when I met John, he didn't bat an eye...that probably had to do with the beer in his hand :-)

Aunt Bobbie goes all out on Christmas - the Griswold's have nothing on her. She has a "no-no" room that is beautifully decorated with breakable items (sadly this is the only picture I have and it's only the corner)

She has stuffed animals from each year she has been in her house lining the staircase.

The kids were fascinated by Douglas, the talking Christmas Tree

It was finally time to open presents! The kids couldn't wait - here they are anxiously waiting for their stocking!

Presents!!!!
Sarah was so excited to receive a Dora doll with a sling

Jacob was so excited about his Thomas the Train, that he didn't even wait for anyone to open the box before he gave it a test drive!

Sadly, I didn't get a great picture of just how many people we celebrated the day with. Here is a picture I snapped with my phone after all the presents were open and many people were off and playing with their new toys

Visit with Santa

I was afraid that we would not get a picture of the kids with Santa this year. Every time we passed him in the mall, the kids would wave, but if we got too close they would put the breaks on! A friend told me about the Santa at the Old Time Christmas Tree Farm (which is right down the street!). She said he was really personable with the kids, took his time with each one and there was never really a line.

That morning we kept telling the kids we were going to visit Santa. They seemed excited and kept telling us what they going to ask him to bring. Of course, Sarah had to search for the perfect dress to wear - she then informed all of us that we must all wear red to see Santa!

We get there, as soon as Santa is in eyesight, both kids put on their breaks!! The wouldn't even look in his direction....SERIOUSLY?!?

I tried going up and giving Santa a hug to show them he wasn't scary, didn't work...

I thought this was going to be our Santa picture this year

They sat on the hay and watch other kids come and go. Jacob finally decided he would go talk to Santa - we look up and Santa was leaving for his lunch break. We decide to do the same.

While at lunch John was telling the kids that if they didn't tell Santa what they want, he probably won't bring them anything(!) Then Sarah says "That's OK, I'll just take the one present that is already under the tree...and that is all!" Talk about feeling horrible. We dropped the subject and finished lunch. Surprisingly, when we were almost finished with lunch, Sarah said "I want to go see Santa, but I don't want to sit on his lap...and I don't want him to touch me!"

We agreed and back to the Christmas Tree Farm we went...for a family photo.

They did approach Santa afterward for a Candy Cane

Then a train ride

And who wouldn't want a Christmas Tree Family Picture

Dance Watch Day

On the last day of the semester, Sarah's dance class invited all the mommy's and daddy's to come watch a special dance they had been practicing. I was prepared for it to be like her Christmas Program - FAIL!

But, when it comes to dancing, Sarah really puts on a show!

If that doesn't work, go here

Sarah's Christmas Program - FAIL!!

Sarah was really looking forward to her school's Christmas Program. She practiced her songs until they were perfect!

The day of the program, she came home from school and excitedly picked out the perfect dress and bow for her hair.

As they marched into the chapel, I could tell she was looking for me, but I couldn't get her attention. She made her way into her chair and then...

..three songs into the program, spotted me, and came running. I had the video camera rolling. I really wanted to keep it on when she started crying. But everyone turned and looked at me when she started crying, so I thought I should be a good mother and go to her.

Sarah and I moved down and sat on the floor in front of the pews to watch the remainder of the program. Several times she attempted to go back on stage, but as soon as she would turn around and see the crowd, she'd run back to me.

She was still upset in the classroom after the program

Cookies and punch solve any crisis!

Jacob really loved the punch, he kept stealing my cup and would drink it before I caught him.

Sarah and her teachers

YO GABBA GABBA!!!

The kids used to be addicted to Yo Gabba Gabba, it was the only tv show they wanted to watch for a long time. When we found out they were coming to Houston, we thought we would surprise them with tickets. But HOLY COW were they expensive!

Thankfully John 4 won tickets!

As we were ushered to our seats, they gave the kids DJ Lance Rock glasses

At first Sarah didn't like the loud music...and boy was it LOUD!!!

But after awhile she was ok and up dancing like I thought she'd be doing the Razzle Dazzle Dancey Dance... I'm not sure if Jacob even blinked the entire show.

They even played our favorite song!! It was a great show, John and I even enjoyed it!!

African Forest Preview

Being members of the Houston Zoo, we were able to preview the African Forest before it opened to the public. Of course, we went with the McMichael family - a trip isn't complete without them. And it's really not a trip to the zoo unless we visit the Meerkats!

The new exhibit is really neat. They have little bungalows and an area where you can play drums.

It's the new home for the Rhinos, Chimpanzees, and Giraffes. It's a beautiful addition to the zoo...except that it ends right at the carousel. Which, until now, my kids never knew existed....

The other thing we must always do at the zoo, is measure our hands and feet at the monkey exhibit

and take our picture with the gorilla.

And now that they've found the sea lion, I bet this will be a every visit photo too!