Texas...part four...the wedding!

The happy couple, Brian and Amanda! Wed at last!

The boys, getting ready...

Outside the temple, girlish cousins.

little skirts

The fam. The wind.

So, we didn't think of taking this picture until the honeymooners had left! My sisters-in-law, Heidi and Michelle. Next time we'll have four of us!

Abby and Eliza in their gorgeous outfits from Grandma Stewart.

Despite the difficulty of getting people (including the groom) to the wedding (major snow in the NW) the big day turned out beautifully. The weather was gorgeous, the couple was gorgeous, the luncheon and reception were beautiful and had wonderful food. Thanks for getting married, Amanda and Brian! We loved every minute!

Texas...part two..Christmas continued

So, when you're in Texas you can go to the PARK on Christmas! (For this reason Andrew's new favorite place is Texas. Seriously. My kids LOVED the weather, and want it back.) This is the first time I've put Eliza's hair in a ponytail. Loved it.

The vest, reversible.

We played hide and go seek. Due to a lack of places that actually hid your body, we got creative.

That night we had a little program. We sang carols, read from Luke, and had a cute project. Here are the kids singing "Away in a manger." Andrew even got up without a fuss, was I proud. (and relieved)

Debra had unused supplies from a primary activity she had planned. Due to snow in the NW church was canceled two weeks in a row! So we got to do it--picture 3 kings, gifts of kindness for Jesus, etc.

Texas...part two...Christmas Day

We brought our felt creation to Texas for an instant tree. I made this tree when we were living in family housing for grad. school in Boulder. That year we really didn't have room for a tree and we weren't going to be home for Christmas anyway. Jared was amazed with how the felt ornaments stuck (and were repositionable) to the felt tree. (I guess he didn't consider the miracle when he was in primary and fhe as a kid.. :) )

We had the cousin kids draw names for gift giving. My kids did a project (some of you probably did this at school) where they drew on a special paper, we sent it in, and they were made into plates. It was so fun to make! And give!

This year we had our own kids pick a name and choose a book from the scholastic book order for each other. They had fun with that, though their choices were pretty different from mine. :) I loved that even still they spontaneously made cards for each other. And loved them.

My favorite Christmas moment was with this vest Andrew's wearing. He'd been wanting one for a while so I made a little note to self. When he opened it he shouted "AWESOME!" (or something) and ran up to me giving me a huge hug, and a kiss!! I'll give a vest every year for that reaction!!

We had our fun Christmas breakfast despite the fact that we were in a rental (picture living without your typical baking foods...) we had a very fun breakfast. The kids "got to" eat at the coffee table. Great memories!! Such a great, unique Christmas.

Texas...part one...Christmas Eve

I just love this picture of a wedding-planning Mom. Ok, so this may have been a meal-planning Mom moment, but you get it. Debra was amazingly organized over the Christmas/Wedding week. We made wreaths to bring some Christmas cheer to the rental home we were staying in. Here are the kids ready for our Christmas Eve dinner at a lovely restaurant in Arlington, Texas.

Eliza and her ever-loved cousin, Ashley. (Pronounced by Eliza: Ash-uh-Lee)
It's a little dark, but around the table we have Brian (the groom), Bethany (our niece), John, Jared, Heidi, Ashley, Abby, Debra and Andrew. Daniel and Eliza missed the pic. because they were outside on a "walk". Eliza was tired and drawing too much attention to herself inside. If you get my drift.
We had such a fun time out--the food was amazing and it was so fun to be together! Thanks for the treat John and Debra! We're not sure if Debra will want to cook on Christmas Eve again...! wink wink.

Volunteer Mom

Can I get a volunteer to be the Mom? Anyone? Ok, so the title sounded funny to me. Actually, I've been volunteering at the elementary school for a couple months. I have a very cool friend who has been watching Eliza every Tuesday for a couple hours. I get to go to Andrew's class AND Abby's. It's so fun to help out and watch them in action.

This is Andrew's Christmas party...

In this game they had to inhale through a straw to keep a tissue "ornament" attached as they ran to their relay team.

There he is! The kid in blue next to him is our downstairs neighbor, Albert. The two were best friends since the day they met.
This is that game where you roll the dice and have to open the present with gloves on. It was pretty hard!

Christmas (the early one)

Sleeping together, like when I was a kid...(in a twin bed, nobody fell off!)

It was just like a real Christmas morning, so fun! Just a few gifts, fun breakfast, and play time. Santa visited, but saved stockings for Texas.
Eliza is opening a barbie movie soundtrack. She had the best happy-surprised face of the morning. We first found this cd at the library and the kids love it (and so do I)!

The inside of my windows...

I don't think it can get worse than this: Tomorrow's high is 6 below.