Christmas 2016

December was a great month.  For the most part we were all well.  The kids both had a cold at some point--Cole has had one for three weeks but that didn't stop us.  We were able to participate in several fun events.  I am part of a mom's group called MOPS.  We meet every other Monday for a few hours.  It is a great group.  We have coffee and breakfast and have a guest speaker.  And the kids are in childcare playing with their friends.

 Quick picture before we left for our Christmas MOPS meeting.

We had a gingerbread house decorating contest.  I have always wanted to decorate a gingerbread house--never did before. It was fun and I ate some yummy candy.

The workout group I am part of brings in their own Santa so we can skip the line at the mall and get pictures without feeling rushed.  

 I got Cole and Alexis matching outfits.  Here are a few fun pictures of them.

 Love this one.  Of course Alexis is holding her ball called "The Dentist"

 Cole and Santa.  I woke him up to take this picture so no smiles

 Cole and Alexis. At least their were no tears

 Mommy and Cole

 Alexis eating chocolate cookies. She asked to be put inside the fence

Nana with Alexis and Cole

 Putting up our Christmas decorations. Alexis was such a big help. We put up two trees and used only shatterproof balls.  We didn't have any issues.

 Alexis loved playing with the ornaments 

She was wearing Reindeer antlers in this shot

We hosted a meet your neighbors/Christmas party in mid-December.  I made up an invitation and hand delivered them to all our neighbors. Last year we didn't have anyone living on our street. This year we finally have neighbors.  Only one house showed up:(  I was bummed but we totally hit it off with them and had a great time.  So we made some new friends.  

Allen was off for over two weeks for Christmas and New Year's.  It was so nice having him home and it will be so hard to go back to our normal schedule.  We started his vacation by attending a Christmas program at Alexis's school on Thursday afternoon.  It was so adorable.  They started with the 4 year old singing a few songs, then added the 3 year olds, then 2 year olds then the 18 month class.  Alexis was in the last group and they sang jingle bells and held a bell for them to ring.  Alexis had been going around the house for weeks singing and ringing bells but we had no idea why or what she was singing.  Here are some pictures from the event.

 Alexis is in the center with the white top 

 How cute are all these kids

   

 

After the program they had a party in their room.

 On Friday we took the kids to The Bass Outlet to see Santa. We didn't want to wait in line to see him so we just looked around

 Allen and Alexis checking things out

Coloring a picture for Santa

 Only in Texas:)  Alexis is wearing a sweatshirt that says "I Can't Stay Calm, I am two"

 Afterwards we went to Costco to get a few things and enjoyed lunch.  Alexis loves their pizza

Allen and Alexis having pizza

 On Saturday our HOA was having a Christmas event and brought in snow.  Of course it was 75 degrees out. Alexis playing with snow for the first time.

 Playing in the snow in shorts

 Allen and I took Alexis to the Christmas Train in Alvin.  It is a church with amazing lights and a train that goes around the property. We met several friends and had a great time.

 Alexis excited to see the train

 The train...before the sunset 

 Relaxing with Daddy and waiting for our friends

We had pizza for dinner and met Dylan a friend of Alexis's from school

We met two other families and rode the train with them. Of course...I don't have any pictures:)

We got to Skype with our good friends Dan and Michelle one night.  We had connection problems at the end and I took some pictures of Michelle making funny faces. It was really fun to have some wine and catch up with them. We must do this again soon.

 Cole fell asleep one night in front of the tree

On Christmas Eve we went to a candle light service.

Love this picture

 Playing after church

 Having fun with Daddy

 She looks so cute in this outfit from Aunt Pat

 Christmas Eve, Daddy reading Alexis "The Night Before Christmas" and eating a candy cane

 Santa was here

 Christmas morning, Nana and Cole

 Alexis just got downstairs

 Alexis opening a gift

 Allen opening a gift

 Jessica opening a gift

 Skyping with Danielle.  Alexis was hot so the Christmas pj's are off (it was 75 degrees)

 What a great Christmas

 Trevor and Cole looking cute

 Allen and Alexis take the best selfies

We went to the zoo with some friends.  Only got a few pictures

 Alexis and Daddy with the elephants

 Mommy and Cole

 Cole kissing Alexis's baby doll

 Allen took Alexis to a new park near us.  Love her in her new Christmas hat and gloves

Having fun

Some Christmas gifts to remember...Alexis got a new lunch bag to match her backpack, flash cards, cooking utensils, balls, a sports set, books. Cole...rattles and books.  Jessica...a new stroller, water bottles. Allen...a watch, biking shirts and accessories

What a great Christmas season.  

On the last day of vacation USC won the Rose Bowl with less than a minute on the clock.  Fight On!!

Cole and Allen cheering on USC