Early Birthday and Christmas

Toady after FHE was let the kids open some presents. This is Austin's birthday present. We didn't want to take it all the way to Utah for his birthday on Friday only to bring it back home.

He was excited about his basket ball!

He also got this cool car ramp...

Brooke got some new books for her V reader. The first one was Toy Story and as soon as she opened it she said "I don't want this, I don't like this"... nice :)  the second one was Dora and she was happy about that one.

Kaylee got a new bike! Her other bike was one a neighbor in Fort Worth gave to use and it was really hard to pedal. Hopefully she'll actually ride this one!

Austin is a little small for his basketball hoop but the whole family has been enjoying it.

Here is my 28 week belly. 7 months down! I had another ultra sound today and everything looks good. Now we just have to think of a name for this little girl!

The Nutcracker

Brooke's ballet teacher was in the Nutcracker this year so her class got free tickets. They even gave me an extra so Kaylee could come too. It was fun to dress up and take my girls out.

I was afraid it would be too long for them but they loved it!

The coloring books helped pass the time.

Even though it was way past their bedtime they stayed awake and enjoyed the whole thing. Brooke was asking my questions through out the whole ballet and she was so exited for the sugar plum fairy.

I sure love these girls (even if they do drive me crazy sometimes.)

Pre-Christmas activities

Tuesday was Brooke's preschool Christmas program. She was part of the angel choir. She goes to school at a Methodist church and the program was in their chapel. It was interesting to see another church and experience a little bit how they worship. They started with a prayer and Jake and I almost said "amen" at the end of the prayer but no one else did.

Our sweet angel.

Wednesday night the Mia Maids were at my house for our young women activity. We decorated gingerbread houses. There was a lot of left over candy so Kaylee and Brook were more than happy to make their own houses with the extras.

Saturday was our ward party. I helped with the planning and decorating. It was a fun night with lots of good food.

We had a nativity and Kaylee got to be a sheep. Isn't she a cute one?

 

Saturday we also hosted a cookie decorating party for some of Kaylee and Brooke's friends but of course I forgot to take pictures. They all had a good time though.

Last day of Gymnastics and Ballet

The girls have finished their 10 week classes at the community center. Kaylee loved her class and wants to take another one. She improved a lot and loves to practice at home.

Brooke did not love her class. She always told me class was fun but she was so happy when I told her it was the last day. I guess ballet isn't her thing. She wants to take a gymnastics class next.

I caught her making faces at herself in the mirror during class. :)

Grinch Dinner

We had a Grinch Dinner on Saturday night. I saw the idea on Pinterst and thought it would be fun. We had Roast Beast (a rotisserie chicken), Who Hash (funeral potatoes) and some green salad, peas and rolls.

The Bradshaw family was kind enough to join us. After our meal we watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and then had our Who Pudding.

 

It was a fun night and the kids really enjoyed it. It may have to become a family tradition.

 

Lubbock Nativity

I LOVE that we live so close to a temple now! It's only a 10 min drive which is so much nicer than the trip we used to take to Dallas in Traffic!

This past weekend we headed to our church (which is right by the temple) for the Lubbock Nativity our stake puts on. It's an event community is invited to and they go all out for it

Our family Nativity picture. Austin would not put on a costume and neither would Brooke... oh well.

There were over 700 nativities to view along with some other activities and concerts. 

Jake had to do "security duty" Thursday night from 9pm-6am. He just had to hang out at the church and make sure no one broke in or vandalized.  He tried sleeping while there but didn't get much rest. It was a long night. (No one tried to break in- who would when it was only 15 degrees outside.) 

 

Winter Wonderland and Thanksgiving

 

 This was Sunday Nov. 24. We had a cold front come through and got 3 inches of snow.

Since we are in Texas that meant church was cancelled for the day. (School was also delayed 2 hours the next day.) The kids were so excited to go out and play in the snow! My poor kids don't have snow clothes. The girls came in every 20 min for new gloves (we only have the knit kind that get wet fast) and new socks (we don't have boot either.)

This is where Austin preferred to watch most of the action.

Austin is my Texas baby. He doesn't like wearing shoes, socks, jackets, hats, gloves... anything meant to keep him warm. He only lasted about 2 minutes outside and then was ready to come back in. I sure don't blame him. I've grown really soft living in Texas and really don't like the cold! I was more than happy to watch out the window with him.

It wasn't the best packing snow so they only managed a small snowman.

I was a slacker and did not take any pictures on Thanksgiving. We went to our friends the Odell's house and had a lot of great food!! I only brought a veggi tray and some pies and the others took care of the rest.  We cooked our own meal the next day at home because who doesn't love left overs?

The kids loved eating the extra pie. Kaylee and I made this chocolate mousse cheesecake pie and it was awesome!!

I put up most of our Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving since it was freezing and felt Christmasy with the snow but we waited until after Thanksgiving to decorate the tree.

This is our "Thankful Tree" everyday the kids wrote something they were thankful for on a leaf and stuck it on the tree. Look at these 3 kids! I really am so blessed and thankful for them!