Where do I start?

Like most of us, I'm so behind and have so much I want to blog about. There just wasn't enough time after the kids were in bed to get on the computer and play. Ads were being looked through, Christmas lists were being made, coupons were being collected and organized, gifts were being wrapped, toys were being assembled, recipes and menus were being planned. We all know none of this can be done during the day while juggling the kids. So, the blog got neglected for a few weeks. However, all that night time work paid off because we had a wonderful, joyous Christmas.

The week leading up to Christmas, we declared a couple of the nights our "family movie night". Which included watching Rudolph one night and Frosty the next night. We popped popcorn and Jacob and Luke happily gathered some sweet treats for us to snack on.




The Friday before Christmas we headed to Arlington to celebrate with Jim's family. On our way there, we stopped off at the Gaylord Texan hotel and took advantage of their beautifully decorated hotel lobby for some photo ops. Little miss Sarah clearly was not in the mood for pictures so the good ones were limited...but we tried.










We headed over to Papa Jim and G-Lana's house afterwards and had a nice Christmas. Good food, generous gifts and fun family time made the evening just what it should have been.


Uncle Jim and baby Alyssa. Isn't she adorable?






Christmas Eve morning we let the kids open a gift each before we hit the road to Kilgore. Sarah got her chair and the boys got a DVD player. And please note Sarah is wearing my scarf. She cracks me up!




We then made our way to Kilgore and joined in on the fun. We went to Christmas Eve Mass at 4:00 then came home to dinner, bath and an early bedtime for the kiddos so Santa could make his arrival.
Look this way kiddos... impossible!!


Sweet parentals!








The Webb and Paniagua kids.


Santa brought Sarah a kitchen, Jacob a Wii, a Wii game and a remote controlled helicopter and Luke a Lightening McQueen scooter, a Wii remote and a Star Wars gun. (the gun for Luke was the one thing he kept asking Santa for. Not my ideal gift for him but it was his top request).






We told the kids about our upcoming trip to Disney World. We told them inside the box was a clue to a vacation we have planned to take together. When they opened the box and saw their Mickey and Minnie Mouse shirts, they guessed it right away!


New slippers for all.


Sarah took to her kitchen right away!


Kyla and family joined us later Christmas day in Rusk at Grandpa's house.


Sarah loved playing with sweet baby Joseph.


When I asked Grandpa for a smile this is what I got!


Opening his gift from his grandkids.


Framed picture of all the great-grandkids! He was very surprised!


We also gave Mom and Dad a framed picture of us all.


Once again thankful for a wonderfully, blessed Christmas with family and friends. Wishing you all a Happy New Year full of peace, joy, good health, happiness and a heart full of God's love!

Christmas program and parties

Earlier in the month, Luke's preschool combined Donuts with Dad and the Christmas program all in one day. A good way to maximize the dads time up at school.


After their breakfast they proceeded to the church for the Christmas program. We enjoyed watching Luke in his first program. Although he sat and made faces like this for most of the program, it was still so cute to watch.


Little friend: "Hey Luke, what are we supposed to be doing? I forgot what comes next."
Luke: "I have no idea. I'm just trying to figure out why all these people are here looking at us."


A few weeks later Luke's class celebrated with a Christmas party which included Chick-fil-a for lunch, an edible Santa craft, a Christmas story and a book exchange.






Ready for the book exchange. Notice Sarah giving Luke a hug on the left side up against the wall.


She wasn't going to be left out of the fun!




Wednesday of this week, Jacob finished up at school. He is SO excited to have two weeks off! His class had a little party as well and he got to leave at 10:30 that day so he was a happy guy! They too made an edible snowman craft, made a picture frame, had a snack and listened to a Christmas book.

We LOVE Mrs. Naber


Snack time


Craft time




Great group of kiddos




Of all the things he has gotten for Christmas he remembers the Nerf gun, of all things. Go figure! Boys and their guns! Sigh!


On another note, I just love this picture of Luke playing with his Nativity set. Sweet boy!


And I just love this one of Luke laughing and Sarah being silly as usual.

Santa Picture 2011

I would say this year's Santa picture was a success!


I still can't get over the fact that Sarah isn't completely frightened of the big guy. At first she didn't want to go up to him but as soon as we brought the rocking horse over, she was all smiles! I think she forgot Santa was behind her. And you know I can't post a picture like this without taking a stroll down memory lane. So here goes...

2010


2009


2008


And yes we skip '07 and '06 due to a scared kiddo...and on to 2005.

Christmas Kickoff

The weekend after Thanksgiving we spent getting the tree up, the house decorated and the outside lights up. It's officially Christmas time around here!


For some strange reason, I didn't get any pictures of the kids decorating our tree or the tree in their room. I was a little nervous about Sarah's reaction to the tree, ornaments and other decorations around the house. Well, I can say that we've only had one ornament break and the boy's tree has only come down once! Right on top of her, at that! I think she learned real quick not to try to pull the ornaments off again. Thankfully, she really hasn't messed with the tree in the living room.

That Saturday we headed over to the North Pole Express in Grapevine with our good friends, the Ewings. Fun was had by all!



Getting their tickets punched.


Patiently waiting for Santa to make his way.




Sarah was SO brave. She took the bell right from his hand but didn't take her eyes off of him!














What a difference a year can make- 2010


And what a difference two years can make. (I'm about 6 weeks pg with Sarah here)- 2009


This weekend our church had their annual Breakfast with St. Nicholas. Who can pass up chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, ham, potatoes, yogurt, orange juice and hot chocolate? And of course good ole St. Nick. Not us!


Sarah has warmed up to Santa quite nicely when she has seen him recently. I always try to point him out when we see him at the mall, on TV etc. She might not sit in his lap but she will stand close by and likes to give him a high five.

Stay tuned for more Christmas updates!