Christmas 2014

Christmas 2014 has come and gone.  It was Campbell's first Christmas and Austin's first Christmas to really "get it".  He had lots of questions about Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and of course, the WISE MEN.  For some reason he still loves the wise men (carried on since last year).  He was also very curious about Santa  - where he lived, when he comes, his sleigh, the reindeer, his love for cookies.  He loved driving by the BIG Santa (a few streets over there is a Santa that is 20 feet tall) , just like last year.  He was excited about sitting on Santa's lap for a picture at school, and then again at Lakeside with Campbell so we got 2 good pictures this year.  Of course he loved making and decorating cookies to leave out for Santa.  On Christmas morning, the first thing he looked for was to see if Santa's cookie was gone (not what presents he brought).  Campbell loved the wrapping paper, boxes, and bows, just like any 8.5 month old.  Santa brought a new red mountain bike with training wheels for Austin and a red radio flyer push bike for Campbell, along with other odds and ends.  We had a Hendrix family Christmas at Carrie's on the 20th, a Hunt/Terrell family Christmas at Marilyn's on the 21st, Christmas eve church at MDUMC at 3pm, DiDi and Grandad gifts at their house at 4pm, LaHa at 5:30pm with MiMi/Big Deal  and the Barretts, and Beth/Tim/Melissa, then cookies for Santa, then bed.  Christmas morning was just the 4 of us at home opening Santa gifts.  After that, we went to MiMi's house for the Stephens family Christmas - presents galore!  Later after naps at home, we headed back to DiDi's for the Cumbie family Christmas dinner and gifts.  Whew!  It was all great fun, but man, we were tired after it was all said and done.  I am thankful for Christmas with the kids- whose curious minds and expressions of joy make everything so wonderful.  Here's to many many more....

Santa's Helper pj's

Campbell loves singing Santa!

Loving the "Little People" Nativity - Campbell's favorite thing to put in his mouth for the month of December

Clapping along to Singing Santa "deck the halls with bells of jolly"

At first he was scared of it....then he loved it!

Licking the chocolate frosting - the best!

My creative side (or pinterest side) -reindeer cupcakes

School Santa visit

Just a little Thomas the Train watching thrown in

Christmas at Carrie's - love Aunt Ricki

Hanging out with Pop

Uncle Robert's train 

Future Uncle Will and Aunt LaLa hanging out with Campbell at the Hunt Christmas

Being "Gentle"

Boxes and bows

Babies on the Green- Meeting Tripp Jones for the first time (3 weeks older than C) - Lunch at Ruggles Green

Mommy and Austin date - making a gingerbread house!

So proud!

Christmas Eve with DiDi and Grandad

Christmas Eve

Gifts with DiDi 

Woody!

Cookies for Santa!!!

Santa came to Lakeside - the kids Christmas party!  Winner picture!

Santa came! - bikes for both kiddos

The scissors from Santa were a real hit

a REAL hit - he loves to cut paper into teeny tiny pieces that are really hard to clean up

Campbell testing out his bike

Say HO HO HO

Learning to pedal in Pjs

Swinging away

His first set of (non plastic) golf clubs - Thank MiMi!

Glitter ribbon and plastic bag - real safe mom (oops)

MiMi's lap during presents

Stockings at MiMi's

Checking out the Thomas Pez candy

Nothing like a little Blue Bell for Christmas dessert - 

Thanksgiving 2014

I better post about Thanksgiving before Christmas arrives.....time is flying!

We drove to Lake LBJ on Thursday (Thanksgiving day) morning.  DiDi and Grandad were there already with a yummy lunch prepared.  My mom volunteered to babysit while David and I went to the Texas vs TCU game.  It was also very kind of Stacy to let her babysit since it was his birthday that day.  We met my dad and Michelle at the game and sat with them.  Unfortunately, it was a loss for the Longhorns and a win for the Frogs.  David was happy.  On Friday we just hung around the house while the guys played golf.  Meredith, Caroline and Toby came by for a visit.  It was our first time to meet Toby (born in early September).  Austin said "Toby like Toby in Thomas the train", (there is a train named Toby).  We visited my dad and Michelle at their house in the late afternoon and then headed into Marble Falls to eat dinner.  After dinner we attempted to go to the Trail of Lights but Austin whined and cried and wouldn't get out of the car.  He knew Santa was there and was scared.  So we didn't push it for the first "Santa" encounter this season.  There would be more..... On Saturday we headed back to Houston after a stop at the Calhouns to meet baby Kase (only 3 weeks old at the time).  Sadly, I didn't take any pictures. We celebrated Stacy's birthday in Houston on Saturday.  Finally, on Sunday we had a late Thanksgiving get together at MiMi and Big Deal's house.  It was a fun few days with lots of family and football, and of course chasing the boys around.  We are thankful!!!

Puffs in the car on the way to the lake - anything to keep this active boy happy.  Being trapped in a carseat is no fun!

Big brother saying "We are almost there Campbell", in a sweet voice. 

Pumpkin shirts with Grandad and DiDi

One football game shot.  Hook 'em anyways

Pulling up on the coffee table at the lake.  Oh my!

Attempting a picture - Caroline and Austin chatting in this one

Austin looks incredibly bored with all these "babies".  Really he was so sweet with Caroline (will be 2 in December)

Daddy in the pumpkin boys at MiMi and Big Deal's house

Halloween 2014

This Halloween we discovered that Austin is terrified of masks and he will do anything for candy.  He did not like any of the costumes that involved something covering the face.  I think this is understandable.  The Scream white mask is terrifying to me too.  After he discovered that candy was involved in both our church's Trunk or Treat and while trick or treating in the neighborhood, he could look past the masks.  We headed over to a neighbor's hotdog/beer/bouncehouse driveway party before trick or treating.  We made it to about 8 houses before calling it quits.  He wanted to eat every piece of candy upon receipt and didn't understand saving it for later.  I have trouble with this too :)  Below are pictures of Bob the Builder (or "strucktion worker") and our little pumpkin!  I also posted the pumpkin patch photos taken earlier in the month.