Who wants that cookie?

Okay so its 2011, and once again I have walked away from this blog and forgotten to come back. Its been a busy new year for sure... but before I go there, something funny to share.

I will admit it, I don't have time to be that mom who can bake homemade cookies, keep the house spotless, play with my kids and go to work each week... I take shortcuts so I can do what is important to me, which is spending time with my family. One of my shortcuts is cookie dough. That's right, when it comes to the kids wanting to decorate cookies, I sometimes buy the dough at the store so we can get right to the good stuff: decorating and eating it.

The kids have fun, and I do too... but the real reason for my post, aside from my confession above, is to show you why no one wants to eat Alex's cookies! Ha-Ha! Now, this was AJ's first time to help me and KK decorate... well he has a few things to learn. Watch our video to see:

Little Stinker! Hope you laughed like we did... g'night!

Merry Christmas!

First, MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone! As I tucked KK into bed last night, after our prayers she told me "Mommy, the best gift we got is Jesus"... Amen! Hard to remember sometimes with all the shiny presents under the tree and all the parties and things to do that keep us so busy, but Jesus is the reason we celebrate, God's greatest gift to us! Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank you for coming to Earth to save us all with your mercy and grace!

We started our Christmas eve celebration at our cousin's house, surrounded by family and just enjoying each others company. So much yummy food, kids running around wild.. it was fun! Here are some pictures of KK and AJ, having fun but really just so excited for Santa to make his arrival and bring the much anticipated presents.







We said goodbye to our elf Flynn before we departed, as he was going to go home to the North Pole tonight after Santa delivered our gifts and filled our stockings. We had so much fun searching for him each morning. KK and AJ would run around the house hand in hand searching high for him. Once discovered, we would hear AJ shout "I found 'im, found 'im" and then "Flynn Flynn", pointing wildly and jumping for joy. KK would echo AJ and demand we come see him as well. See you next year dear Flynn, thank you for telling Santa all about us.





After the party, we came home to talk to our families and wish them a Merry Christmas. KK and I worked to plate some cookies and milk for Dear Saint Nick and some carrots for the reindeer. Then it was off to bed (so the elves could set up for Santa).

Christmas morning was here before we knew it! And Santa did not disappoint... the stockings were so full the had to be placed on the ground. Santa delivered a beautiful three story dollhouse for KK, along with seven princess dolls that will live there. AJ got a duel loop race track with Lightning McQueen and his friends to race on it. Our stockings were filled with candy, books and toothbrushes (go Santa, great idea).

KK and AJ were so surprised - and so happy! We had such a fun morning taking turns opening our gifts and playing with each one together, talking about what made them special and how much we liked each one. The kids were so sweet, saying Thank you and giving hugs and kisses. I was grateful for yet another year in which we were able to enjoy each gift and it wasn't a free-for-all... I know those days are not far away. KK did such a good job making sure everyone had a gift and everyone got a turn - so sweet. AJ struggled with the wrapping paper, but he had fun seeing what was inside each one.

Of course we had to take a family shot. Here are some other pictures of our morning together!

Alex saying "Choo Choo" as he plays with Thomas.

Such surprises in each present!

After opening all our presents, Daddy treated us to a fun breakfast of homemade beignets and orange julius. It was so yummy!

After breakfast we were able to talk online to Grandma and Grandpa and open presents together. We had so much fun seeing each other and sharing our gifts. Poor AJ... as you can see from the picture below.. he didn't make it all the way through the morning. He took his pillow and went to take a nice, long nap.

Now we are watching our new Barbie princess DVD's and resting... soon we will be calling Oma and Gracie to share our Christmas with them. Then its a special dinner and a relaxing evening at home enjoying our gifts.

It was a wonderful Christmas - Merry Christmas everyone! Hoping your Christmas was filled with laughter, fun, family and joy! Love you!

Here is a little video of KK and AJ still on a sugar high and so happy for Christmas:

Our Gaylord Vacation

Our Gaylord Christmas Vacation!

Welcome to our 2nd Annual Gaylord Christmas Vacation! Last year we met our cousin's at the Gaylord to see Ice and spend time together before the holiday craze. We had such fun, we decided to make this an annual event, and our gifts to each other for Christmas. So, this year we decided to spend the night at the hotel with our sweet cousins. It was WONDERFUL! We had so much fun and did so many things. There are many pictures ahead, too many shots I just couldn't think of not sharing with everyone.

We arrived in our rooms and immediately went downstairs to check out the Christmas decorations. The entire atrium was decorated in head to toe Christmas, with mini toy trains everywhere, reindeer shrubs running rapid, Texas-size gingerbread houses that you could live in (and made from top to bottom with food)... Wow!

First, like always, our family shot!

And here is a shot showing you how excited AJ is to start the party!

Pictures taken around "town":

The BFF's and cousins - so happy to be here together!

Reindeer Games:

So while our cousins were checking in and getting settled, we discovered a fun scavenger hunt in which KK needs to track down all of Santa's reindeer that are hiding within the atrium. Each reindeer had a clue that you would use to guess which reindeer you found. It was so much fun. KK got a light up nose to wear as we walked around and tracked each deer down. Of course, we took pictures of each and had to share them:



What a great way to see the sights and let the kids run around. We did get a little silly in some of the pictures :-)

Of course, I had to join in. That red nose was just too cute not to try on. The girls loved seeing that too.

After our reindeer games - it was off to dinner. If you put all of us together, you will get a wild time. I think the tables around us were laughing as much as we were!

Gingerbread Men:

After dinner, us girls decided to decorate some homemade gingerbread men at the cafe. It was a fast event, as the girls wanted to dig in and eat. But what handsome men they were... for a second at least!

Sledding & Sliding:

We weren't ready to call it a night yet! This year the hotel was offering sliding (for a fee of course). KK wasn't so sure about it.... we are Texas girls and don't see a lot of sledding. But when her cousin said please, she couldn't say no. It was so fun to watch. The girls were spinning and dizzy and had a great time.

After our sledding adventure, we hit the pool for a late night swim before bedtime. AJ was fast asleep before we could put him in his bed... but KK & Mommy couldn't help but remember those big yummy cookies we saw at the cafe. Our Daddy went out and brought us a late night treat that made sugar cookies dance in our heads all night long!

CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS IN ICE:

The big day was here. After sweet dreams, we were refreshed and ready to see Charlie Brown. Mommy had found two little pink and blue Snoopy's for KK and AJ weeks before we came to the hotel. They were fast favorites, sleeping with my babies each night in their beds. And we couldn't leave them behind for this either!



We bundled up tight, as it is about 9 degrees inside the exhibit. For those who don't know - the entire Charlie Brown Christmas story is carved into dyed ice making for a wintry walk through a favorite Christmas story.

Words don't capture how beautiful it is - we loved it. Even the kids were awed. Granted it wasn't all roses getting there. It is always a long walk to the deep freeze and you are required to wear Arctic coats to go inside safely. Convincing four overly excited (and tired) kids to put on another large coat that makes it hard for them to move is never fun. There were meltdowns on both sides of the family, but we pushed through and had so much fun exploring Charlie Brown's story!

We can't wait until next year - so many fun memories! And to share this and spend time with our cousins, that was great. They are such a blessing to our family - we love you!