Christmas Eve

Last night we went to the Nutcracker Ballet at Bass Hall with friends Joan and Chad.

When people saw our mad skills, they thought we were IN the play. I don't blame them - we're that good.


Today is Christmas Eve, so naturally we had lunch at Whataburger.


And...are you ready for this... it's SNOWING. We are going to have a white Christmas after all.


Considering the fact that it was in the 70's yesterday and we had the air conditioner on, this really is a Christmas miracle.

I'm off to roast marshmallows in the fireplace and nestle my child all snug in her bed so the sugar plums can start dancing. Merry Christmas to all!!!

Merry Tunesday

So last year, I bought this Christmas album and it was totally my fav. Still enjoying it (rather a lot actually), but I've added to it.

This year, I've added picks from this (awesome!)and this. Here is the playlist I keep on repeat:

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Barenaked Ladies w/Sara McLachlin
Someday At Christmas by Jack Johnson
Song For A Winter's Night by Sara McLachlin
Oh Holy Night by Avril Lavigne and Chantal Kreviazuk
The First Noel by Leigh Nash
Maybe This Christmas by Ron Sexsmith
Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer by Jack Johnson
All That I Want by The Weepies
No Christmas For Me by Zee Avi
Blue Christmas by The Perishers
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Hem
Guadete by Mediaeval Baebes
Silent Night by Zach Gill
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Martina Sorbara
Green Christmas by Barenaked Ladies
The Man In The Santa Suit by Neil Halstead
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear by Sixpence None The Richer
Sweet Secret Peace by Neil Finn
Christmas Time by ALO

Christmas Cards

They are a beating. I don't know why I do it. Lots of work. No one send me a Christmas card. Seriously. We got one this year - from Craig's Aunt. Now I totally know what Charlie Brown was talking about. But all of mine should have been received by now, so here it is.

Front:

Back:

No...

Yes, this really is the restaurant they just put in by my house. Lovely.

Hallelujah!

I think I've reached a point in the season where I finally have time to update my blog. Christmas cards have been sent, the last gift packages are shipping today, presents are bought, decorations are done. Besides neighbor gifts, I think I only have to sit back an enjoy the rest of the month (and blog). I hope someone still reads this!


BTW - I am back-dating my posts for the last two months for my own journal keeping.

The Nativity Exhibit

Every year, the Colleyville Stake puts on an AMAZING Nativity exhibit. This year, they had over 900 Nativities on display. After we toured the exhibit, we watched the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. A perfect way to kick off the Christmas season!

Bell Helicopter Day at Six Flags

Instead of a Christmas Party, Craig's work has Bell Day at Six Flags. Not my choice, but no one asked me. So there you go.

And since we paid for our tix ahead of time, we went even though it was FREEZING. But we bundled up and made the best of it:

Santa in front of the chopper at the main entrance:


Hot chocolate with the Looney Toons Gang:


Waiting in line to see Santa:

The big guy himself:

Thanksgiving

We started the celebration early, going bowling the night before. And remember the flamin finger from last April? Well, I rocked it again. While playing around in the bowling alley arcade, I hit the ticket motherload. And that's the 2nd time in a week I beat the flamin finger, believe it or not. Last Saturday, Laurie, Lisa and I went to Etsy Dallas and while waiting for dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse, you guessed it. Beat the Flamin' Finger AGAIN.


I think I've finally found my spiritual gift.

For Thanksgiving dinner, we joined Rochelle and her family - scrumdidilyumptious! More friends joined us for dessert,


the guys watched sports,


the ladies chatted,

and the kids roasted marshmallows in the backyard.



It was a pretty perfect day. I'm thankful!

New Moon Movie Premier

I camped out with a bunch of my crazies for the midnight showing of New Moon. I enjoyed the movie (better than the first movie, still not as good as the book), but I think I enjoyed the hours leading up to the movie even more.

AJ's Thankful Harvest Program

I feel that I have officially entered the realm of parenthood, now that I have sat through a riveting preschool singing performance. AJ mostly stood there NOT singing, and trying to avoid making eye contact with me.



After the program, we had a delicious feast of cold chicken nuggets and baby carrots. Yes, I am truly a mother now.

AJ, Kenzie & Brooklyn

Game Night

Buffalo Wild Wings is always a fun place for dinner.


Sometimes AJ really gets into it.

Halloween

Craig & I went to a Halloween party dressed as "Indians". I was a dot-indian, he was a feather-indian:


A.J. wanted to be Tinkerbell (from the Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure movie - which came out 4 days before Halloween and 2 days before her class party?!), leaving me little time to construct a costume. She was please with the results, which was all that mattered. I think it was the glitter, ahem, "pixie dust" that sold her.
This is what I had to go on...

This was the result:




We did easy dinner this year - a pumpkin shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's and "witch potion".


Dry ice is always a hit at our house.


Of course we needed to carve a Tinkerbell pumpkin to go with her costume:



After the trunk-or-treat, AJ's friend Aimee and Geoffrey joined us for some neighborhood trick-or-treating.


What a haul! I'm ashamed to say that even this much loot didn't last long at our house. I do love candy.

Family Night Out

We had a fun night at Color Me Mine, a ceramic studio in Flower Mound. AJ painted her own plate, (wish has subsequently made dinner time better for her.)

After we finished painting, we went to dinner at Babe's for some of the best home-cookin' you can find. Oh, my mouth just watered.


Good times!