Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas to All!

We spent Christmas Eve at Madie's with the Crowell side of the family. We had our traditional munchies, wine, egg nog, and then everyone heads to Perini's. We are going to go sometime in the future when having two children at dinner in public isn't so difficult; if that ever happens.

Laney sang "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" for everyone all on her own. This was actually her first of many performances. We have the video but it's not uploading. I'll try to correct for this; it's pretty cute.

 

Then we drove around and looked at lights in Abilene with the Berg's. This has been a tradition in my family since I can remember; looking for Santa. This year may have been the most fun. My Dad, Momma, Me, Matthew, Laney, Landry, Landon, Lauren, and Lola all piled into the Sequoia (my Lord--seeing how many L's there are is crazy! We might have to go with an M name one day!ha!).

We had a nice time with family and the simplicity of the evening was nice.

Christmas morning was also fun with the girls and the excitement of opening presents from Santa! 

Matthew and I were totally into The Hunger Games over the break. Reading kind of dominated any free time I would have otherwise had.

Blurry pics but apparently the only one of me Christmas morning. I was sure to take loads of Laney and Landry though, of course!

Um, how excited was Laney to get an umbrella?!

Choo Choo! Landry and her trains, it is hysterical. She loves them and her favorite trains are the real ones when we are driving. So guess what birthday theme we will arrive at this year! Yup, choo choo trains!

Falling asleep about halfway through opening presents...

We went to Ma's for Christmas lunch and Laney was back to singing.....

 ....while Landry played the piano.

I became all pictured out by around noon. We had Christmas dinner at my parents house with the Crowell's, we played some board (bored) games and this is always interesting. We get into major WW mode playing monopoly or anything else where Matthew and I have to compete. But it ended up fun and mayhem as usual.

This was our first year without Lesley and I really missed opening stockings, mimosas, laughing at presents, and spending Christmas with my sister. Yet, I realize that this is part of life and holidays evolve. I'm so thankful for everyone we have in our life to love and be with in these times.

Christmas Eve--Let it Snow!

We made it to Abilene on December 23rd and were greeted by snow on Christmas Eve morning. That feeling of waking up and looking out the window and seeing snow; I don't think I'll ever outgrow it. I love the weather in Abilene because you get every single season and the dryness that we just don't have in South Texas.

 Thankfully, the snow didn't stick and the weather never got bad. Here are some flakes...

Landry in the snow trying to figure out what the snow was! Check out the playhouse for the girls that Momma helped build a lifetime ago. Well, it has been updated some by Bumpaw but they have tea parties and always want to go play in the fort.

Laney woke up and immediately wanted to go outside!

Then Laney and Mickey made sugar cookies.

Miss Landry helped eat and ice them! Num Num!

Christmas in Fredericksburg

I love Fredericksburg and especially at Christmas time! The lights this year were very beautiful and brilliantly blue! Virginia and I made a special trip from the ranch to show the girls the nativity scene and the lights. And I am so glad we did. I hope this becomes a tradition for all of us to go to Marketplatz each year.

The girls with their B.

We made it back to the ranch and had Christmas with the Crowells. We were looking for Santa and we heard his bells! The girls ran onto the porch and they may have spotted his sleight light in the west field. Hank was helping!

Landry was searching frantically for Santa in the night sky.

Well, soon enough we were in our pajamas and bath robes playing with toys and talking on the telephone....

 

Holiday Program at AHUMC

This year was my first time to attend Laney's Christmas Program. I would usually have to miss this due to work in Austin. But this year I was able to go!! I had no idea what I was missing. It made me very sad to think that I hadn't been to Lanes Christmas program in years past and very thankful I could go this year.

The children in the Pre K classes narrated the nativity scene and Jesus' birth. The children were dressed up as angels, cows, sheep, shepherds, and then of course the wise men, Mary, and Joseph. This was the sweetest reminder of the true celebration and meaning of Christmas.

And, shockingly, I got the times mixed up and thought that we were allowed into the program at 10:30 to find seats but in fact the program started at 10:30. I found myself in a scramble. I momentarily went crazy and decided to grab Landry from school a little early to watch the  program with me. So little-Lou-who got to sit with Mommy during the program and cheered chanted for Laney almost the entire time.

Almost. She kept herself busy though with my being well prepared.

Did I mention that I forgot my long lens to my camera? Well, I took the best pictures I could but they are from farrrrr out since my seat was not anywhere near the stage.

 

The pictures don't do justice to the production that the teachers and children put on. I wish I had a video of the sweet songs and musical words from these children. What a wonderful program and I'm so happy I was able to make it to see my Laney!

Need a "Little" Christmas...

The girls helped me get geared up and decorate this year! But let me just admit how much we love Christmas music!! Laney now knows the words to "sometimes we need a little Christmas" and these pictures remind me of this song and the singing we did around the house over and over again. And all the cookies consumed (can you see Laney's little chipmunk mouth?).

She looks like an angel. But she can also be a little Tasmanian devil with a destructive path and defiant attitude.

Laney Lou, little posing pixy!

Stinker, taking cookies from the cookie party (not just one container but two!) and digging in with a look that says "don't touch my cookies!!!"