Merry Christmas

We had 2 card selections this year.  We had run out and when we logged back on to order more cards John found this design and could not resist, SO this is why some of our friends and family may have different cards.  This one was definitely our favorite, wish we had seen it first!  I hope everyone had a blessed CHRISTmas with family, friends, and everyone else you love.

We had a wonderful and peaceful day with ours.

 

Christmas Lights

 We took the boys out to see Christmas lights the other night in our neighboring areas.  After the kids baths, we loaded them up and headed out on our fun adventure.

This was one of our favorite houses.

Before we left, I was trying to get a picture of them saying "cheese"

This picture cracks me up! 

 

Christmas Eve

We said goodbye to Scotty, Nicho's Elf on the Shelf.  This was his first year to visit our house and he sure has grown on us. 

 

Nicho and I made cookies and chocolate covered pretzels before we headed out to visit family...

Mmmmm, homemade icing for the sugar cookies.

The boys were good this year and Santa made his stop. 

 

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

 

Capitol Tree

After we made our Gingerbread House, we drove by the Capitol to see the beautiful tree. 

Later on that evening we drove by again to see it lit up, so pretty!!  John and I had escaped for dinner out alone while my mom watched the boys :)

Gingerbread House 2012

Today, we headed over to The Austin Children's Museum to decorate a Gingerbread house.  We love the Museum and it was the perfect treat for the boys since they were feeling better.  After they were done decorating, we let the house dry and the boys went off to explore the exhibit.

Noah found the train table... 

John and the boys decorating the House 

Noah putting a golf ball through a hole to see where it goes. 

I was looking back at our first trip to the Museum to decorate a Gingerbread House.  It brought tears to my eyes seeing how fast time really does go by.

 

http://herreralove.wordpress.com/2008/12/13/icingicing-everywhere/

 

Pajama Day

 

 

The boys had pajama day at school today.  Unfortunately they both missed school because Noah was just getting over strep and Nicho got his first ear infection in a LONG time.  I had bought them these adorable matching jammies a few weeks ago at Carter's for pajama day at school, sigh. 

I'm just glad they are feeling much better.

 

Snow

We went the Galleria yesterday to look for some new shoes for both kiddos. While there we went to check out a "snow day" that the shopping center was having.

We went last year  to the Snow Day and the weather was cooler and everyone was bundled up. This year it was 70 and very humid. The "snow" was melting fast and it was way crowded this time. The boys-I mean Nicho went to feel the snow for a little bit but Noah wasn't interested in it at all.

We continued our venture on to look at shoes but did enjoy the atmosphere, we love Christmas at the Galleria!

 

Girls Night

My friend Brianne and I have been trying to connect with each other since the beginning of school but we both have been so busy.

Finally, we just did it. I saw that there would be free Carriage rides offered downtown in exchange for a new unwrapped toy. 

We thought that would be fun, we would enjoy a fun ride and give to this wonderful cause for children.

 

Haircut

I was long overdue for a haircut. My last cut was in early June. I recently registered to run the half Marathon in February so I have started my training. Having to deal with long hair has been hard during this because of all the washing and styling in the mornings before school, etc. I just decided to chop it off.

I'm very excited about running in the half this time around because one of my good friends from HS will be running it with me! She is a runner, always has been since HS. She ran CC etc. 

Last time I didn't really have a big goal, just finish before 3 hours and not get kicked off the course for being slow :) This time I have a much more challenging goal. My goal however until the half is to not get hurt! I will probably just cry if I do.

 

Before

(hair is always up)

After

(hair has been down all week!) 

 

Breakfast with Santa

Last weekend we took the kids to Breakfast with Santa near our area in South Austin. The kids had waffles with bacon and sausage, decorated a cookie and then met Santa. It was a very warm Saturday morning so we went outside and let the kids play at the Park for a few minutes.

We had a great morning then went over the the Grandparent's house to celebrate Grandpa's (John's dad) recent retirement.

  We love days like today :)

 

Parents Gone Wild

John and I were up one evening last week wrapping gifts. Before bedtime we were trying to find a spot for Scotty, Nicho's Elf.

Notice I said "Nicho's Elf."

 The Elf does not apply to Noah, according to Noah....hmmmm.  John suggested Scotty make some copies of himself. John and I were laughing so hard and agreed that life would be so boring for us without kids. We didn't leave him like that,of course.

 It was just a good laugh for us Parents, lol. We must have some fun with this too :)

 

Meeting Santa

We took the boys to the Mall to see Santa after John's Grandma's birthday celebration a few weeks ago.  We have been to the Galleria the past two years for Santa pictures but for some reason I wanted to go to the Mall this year.  We used to go to the Mall for Santa photos all the time with Nicho prior to Noah being born. All of a sudden I missed making that trip and then letting him ride the train afterwards. So, we did just that!

 

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to one of the most important ladies in my life growing up.

I will always remember my wonderful Grandmother and her special day.

 

Wimberley

We went to the Wimberley Trail of Lights on opening night Thanksgiving weekend.  

It seems like it gets better and better each year, this is our 3rd time going.  We went with Uncle Paul, Carla, and Sophia. 

 John hurt his knee and actually had ACL surgery last Wednesday so he stayed home because it's been a challenge for him to walk, obviously.  The kids had a blast running around looking at the light displays, riding the kiddie train, and roasting hot dogs at the bonfire.  Here are a few pictures from our fun evening.

 

Nicho took this picture...

 And he also took this one...

 Princess Carriage, Sophia LOVED it.

 Playing the big musical instruments.

 Roasting hot dogs.

 They were soo cute!

 Peter Pan Display

 They also had photo opportunities with Santa and a Princess. Sophia got her picture taken with Snow White but the boys opted out of it :)

 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Display, this was my favorite!!

 This made me LOL!

 The kids on the kiddie train, sadly it is Nicho's last time on it as the weight limit is 45lbs and he is right at that weight now.

Noah :)

 

Three Angels with Angels :)

What a fun night! 

We just love Wimberley, very family friendly!