Christmas Eve Morning at Our House

We made special arrangements with Santa this year to come to our house the night before Christmas Eve. So we woke up early Christmas Eve morning to a living room full of presents. Nathan and Abby have been super excited about Christmas this year. So we put a wrapping paper barricade at the top of the stairs. This way they couldn't come down until we were armed with cameras to catch their reactions. They were both totally blown away when they got down stairs. The Barbie Jeep and the Wii are definitely favorites. We have all had a blast with the Wii. I definitely need to practice more!

'Twas the night before Christmas.

Waiting behind the barricade.

High Five for the Princess Castle!

"It's a Wii!"

This is one of their very favorite shows to watch together!

Phineas and Ferb-They are almost part of our family.

Abby loaded all her loot up into her Barbie Jeep as she opened each gift.

Nathan got a new Bible from us.
Barbie Guitar

"A Coffee Machine!"

Everyone enjoying some Wii time!

The kids and I gave Clay a Craftsman tool chest. He has wanted this for a long time to get his tools organized. We were so excited to give it to him. I think he was pretty excited about it!


First ride in the Barbie Jeep. Abby kept yelling the entire time she was driving it. She kept saying, "Oh yeah, Baby. That's what I'm talking about!" It was the funniest thing ever. She keeps us laughing all the time!
She was even sweet enough to give Nathan a ride.



Merry Christmas 2008!!!

Christmas at Grandma's!

We have kicked off the gift-giving season with our first Christmas. Saturday we had Christmas with Clay's mom at her house. We had a very fun day with Grandma, Grandpa John, Shelby, Alyssa & Ryan. The kids really enjoyed all their gifts and have been very entertained by them since we got home last night. The next few days will be very fun and busy as we have 3 more family Christmases to enjoy and pack for our cruise! Merry Christmas everyone!
Nathan had such an expression of pure joy when he opened up this remote control Hummer.

He got some kickballs that will be a great addition to the neighborhood fun out in the street!

Abby got some pink boots that are slippers. Just before this photo was snapped. She exclaimed, "My Christmas Boots!!!" Then she promptly tossed them up in my lap. It was so hilarious!
Showing off the boots.

Abby also LOVES her princess sleeping bag that came in this duffle bag. She has been carrying it around like a back pack. She already slept in it the first night when we came home.
Clay is going to be goin' old school on our cruise next week with his Tiddies that Alyssa and Ryan gave him.

ICE!!!

My sweet sister-in-law, Alyssa works at the Gaylord. So we decided to take advantage of this perk and go to ICE this year. It was a fun night! The kids didn't seem to mind the cold at all. I think of course the highlight was the slide. As soon as Abby came down she started asking to do it again. After we went through ICE we went to eat at Texan Station inside the Gaylord.

Who would have thought a slide made completely of ice would be so fun!

This may be the only way we get Abby on Santa's lap this year.

I think Abby looks so funny walking around in that giant parka!

Uncle Ryan & Aunt Lyssa!

Sugar packets at dinner are fun for kids of all ages!

Gingerbread Houses

Last Friday Nathan's class had each child's parent come in to make and decorate gingerbread houses. Sadly, Nathan woke up that morning with a nasty case of strep throat. (That in itself is a whole different blog entry!) Anyway-our sweet friend Dana gathered up enough extra stuff and brought it home for Nathan to make one here at the house. A few days later he was feeling good enough and we tackled it one afternoon after school. He had so much fun doing it and definitely used his imagination on this project.

Abby also had to get in on the action. We found a butter box for her to use for her gingerbread house. I know I saw her put some pink marshmallows on her house, but for some reason when she was finished there was nothing on her house. Her belly was awfully full, though!