Christmas Vacation...

Dan had a few days of vacation left at the end of the year, so he got to be home from Dec. 21 thru Jan. 2!  We decided to make the most of it and planned a few day trips in between the festivities. 
For our first day with him home, we headed to Mercer Arboretum--one of my favorite park and garden areas in the Houston area.  Dan had never been there and it was fun to show him around. 

Then on Dec. 22, we met up with Shad and Amy and their kids at the zoo.  

Just keeping it real...

Sometimes your kids find those flashcards that you keep hidden away.  And then they spill the cereal...and by the time naptime hits, it looks like this:  *but note that at least the dishwasher got emptied :)

Ward Party and Some Randoms...

My sweet blue-eyed girl on Dec. 8.  At almost 5 months old, she LOVES her exersaucer and loves gnawing on her toys.  No teeth yet though.

Megan sure loves being a big sis.  And Candace loves her right back.  (Dec. 8)

Here's Brooke on Dec. 8 showing off her swinging skills.  She's gotten pretty good at swinging by pushing off the ground.

 Our ward party was on Dec. 10.  They asked for volunteers to take family pictures and set up this really cute backdrop.  I did pictures for about 4 or 5 families (my shift was pretty quiet), but of course didn't get one of my own! 

Here is Candace chilling with Daddy after the dinner...

The Megans were dancing to some jazzed up Christmas tunes...

Brooke was NOT nervous about Santa this year.  She waited happily in line and excitedly chatted with him.

Brooke and her bud Maddy...

Santa gave out a jingle bell...and unfortunately for us, even adults could hear them!

My nervous Megan.  She finally mustered up enough courage to get in line and I thought she'd sit there silently.  But shockingly, she talked to him! 

She was a pretty proud girl when she got her bell :)

Here's from Dec. 11 before church in the morning...it's so hard to get a good picture of all 3!

But this is a good one of just our little 5 month old...

We painted her toes this weekend too.  So so sweet.

Napping after church on Dec. 11

 
 Making rice krispie treats on Dec. 13.  Yes, I'm a nice Mom to cook with my 4 year old and 2 year old.  I have to take pictures to document it since it rarely happens. 

And it rarely happens because their idea of helping is mostly doing this...

And after that kind of stickiness, it was bath time.  We let Candy into the tub with the crazies on Dec. 13.  Other than these photo ops (taken by Dan), I was holding her--she's just so wiggly!

Snow Day 2011...

We had a great time at our neighborhood's snow day this year on Dec. 3.  There was a dj and a hula hoop contest and that was definitely Megan and Brooke's favorite part.  Of course there was snow and hot chocolate and friends--recipe for a good time!  We got a pretty decent Santa picture and no one cried, so that was also a success! 

The Megans, Emy, and Bradley checking out the snow...

This is one of my all time picture sequences--here are Brooke and Maddy--best friends!

Maddy found some snow--watch out!

Wham--got Brooke right across the nose!

Ahahaha.  I know, it's the saddest face.  Look at ice on the bridge of her nose.  Poor kid.

She recovered--here's all the friends hula hooping (picking up the hula hoop and throwing it around themselves over and over again)

Waiting to meet the big guy.  Brooke was a little apprehensive.

Candy was happy as ever.

The whole family with Santa!  The kids did great!

Dan's work party was that night--so here we all in our fancy clothes.  I made that dress and finished it that morning.  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.