Making & Baking Christmas Cheer

What a fun past few weeks this has been leading up to these few days before Christmas! Cade will tell you that we are Celebrating Jesus' Birthday and that the Angel said "Pier NOT, do not be 'fraid!" He has had several parties at Sunday School and MDO, however, we can't resist having fun as a family each night. We have visited with friends, exchanged gifts, had SEVERAL Cookie making/decorating nights, made a Gingerbread house (they never look like the box by the way?), watched a ton of Christmas favorites ("The Grinch Who Stole Christmas", "Charlie Brown Christmas", "Rudolph", etc), drove to look at lights, and so much more. I wanted to make sure and post of of our favorite activities thus far. Also, I added a picture of each of the kids' stockings. Gamee made Cade's in 2009 when he was born, and Nana made Caelin's this year when she was born. What a true joy to each have a stocking HAND stitched by their Grandma's. The love and LONG hours that went in to those is priceless and will be with them always! Thank you Grandma's! What a joy it has been to share this time with two young "babies". They bring all the magic back this time of year!

Christmas with the Hall Family

This year, we will be in Round Rock on Christmas day celebrating the holidays with my side of the family. So, last night, we had the joy of celebrating with Charles' side of the family. Christopher and Heather joined in on the fun and we all gathered at Gamee/Grampee's house. We had a Mexican cuisine with tamales and taquitos, it was super yummy! Cade especially enjoyed Aunt Heather's queso and chips! After dinner, we had a blast opening gifts and watching the kids eyes light up. It really takes me back to how Christmas used to feel magical in a different way as a child. There is just something about the "belief" that has a bit more magic to it. Again, I must say that anytime people are loving on my kids, I am loving on them! So, it was the best evening ever as I watched BOTH Cade and Caelin's eyes light up! Cade's big gift was a train table and train set from Gamee/Grampee! You can see his face as he came around the corner, he was amazed! In fact, that was the one toy he stuck to all night! He also received the book "Twas the Night before Christmas" with the voice recording of Gamee/Grampee, a Magnetic toy that you can dress as a pirate/construction worker/superhero, etc, bug catcher, hooded bath towel, rideable digger, puzzle holder, and bath letters, and more! Caelin even got to open up some gifts of her own! She got a box of starter foods for these next few months when she starts rice cereals and some baby foods. Her eyes really lit up when she got a baby doll! Of course the baby doll is as big as she is, but she loves her nonetheless. She also enjoyed opening up an Eric Carle puzzle, book, hooded bath towel, and a phone that lights up and makes noise. I told you my babies are spoiled, and not by their parents! Thank you Aunt Heather, Uncle Christopher, Gamee, and Grampee!

Charles and I also were blessed with so many fun things! Our big gift was framed pics of Cade/Caelin that Gamee/Grampee had taken professionally and surprised us with! It was perfect and we loved it. We also got a new CAMERA (I know you are all cheering for better quality photos!), best buy gift card, scarf, jewelry, molds of Caelin's hands/feet, and so much more. We are so blessed!

The night was so special and we feel so blessed to have been able to still celebrate the true meaning of this time of year with Charles' family. It is hard when you are married to enjoy these special holidays with both sides of the family, but we are blessed to have such understanding relatives. What a magical evening!

A Jingle Update

She's been hanging around all right, although I think Cade spoke with her and asked her not to be so "yucky and dirty" in his house. Hmmmm, wonder who he gets that idea from? Must be his Daddy.

All Aboooaaarrrdd....

Gamee and Grampee surprised Cade with a Christams train ride! He was so excited to go and to wear his new Thomas the Train pajamas. The ride followed the story of the Polar Express including: dancing waiters, hot chocolate, cookies, the North Pole, and of course Santa Clause himself. The kids even got their own Christmas Bell from Santa. Cade and Caelin had a blast and I am sure we will be hearing about the train for years to come.

A Santa Sighting and Neighborhood of Lights

This has been a busy week for sure. Wrapping up school before the Christmas Break, and of course taking the kids to see Santa looking at Christmas Lights. Cade did not appear to be scared of Santa at all and asked him for "clean Garbage truck, not a stinky one." We are still not sure where this desire came from, but what can you say. Caelin simply stared at the man with the beard, but did not cry either. Of course, we had to go and see the Lights at Prestonwood. The four of us sat in the back of the truck as Gamee and Grampee drove us around. Cade and Caelin enjoyed the lights, but I think Cade like riding in the back of the truck the most. The lights were just extra!