Christmas Recap

Chris and I had an amazing FRIST CHRISTMAS!!  Yippe...we had a blast celebrating with my family.  This year was no different than the past...except we added Chris to our festivities.  We got in to town around dinner time on Tuesday.  Wednesday was spent running errands and visiting my grandmother.

Little Bear and I always do some shopping together once we get to Amarillo.  You know so she can go shop for mommy and daddy.  This year Chris got to join in on our fun little shopping.  He also got to enjoy the gifts that 7 year olds come up with.  I will have to say she is a good gift giver!!!

Christmas Eve was spent like normal....making cookies and wrapping up gifts.  We use to do cookies at my grandmas, but this was our 2nd year at my parents.  It was fun, however just not the same as the past...I really missed having grandma there to help out.  Regardless the cookies still turned out like normal and very eatable.

After cookies Little Bear got to attend her first real Christmas Eve service.  Once she arrived home from church it was NORAD time.  We had to TRACK SANTA!!!  This was the first year Little Bear was really at that "I can't sleep I am so excited" stage.  She was too cute...and kept me up most of the night asking if it was time yet.

Around 7 we (Little Bear, Chris, and I ) finally convinced the others it WAS TIME to head out and see what Santa left.  You will never believe it but Santa brought everyone EXACTLY what they wanted.  Little Bear got a video camera and tri pod, Little B got a "big hellotoper" and a "TRUCK" like sissy jeep.

Christmas morning...our FIRST!

Dad so excited about his new one cup coffee maker! 

Chris was a bit sad about missing out on a few of his favorite Christmas moments (and family).  Therefore I sent out a small favor to his mom and dad....of course they were pleased to help.  He really loves getting his stocking goodies the most...you will never guess what ARRIVED in Amarillo for Chris!

All in all Christmas was wonderful.  We made many new memories and continued our traditions from the past.  Chris did a super job on my gifts too...He really listened to me (which sometimes I don't think he does) and gave me two ornaments for OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS, a lap top board, Charming Charlie gift card, keyless alarm for the house, and a lens cap cord for my camera.  I love his gift giving style...Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too!

A flip flop since we had a beach wedding of course...

So cute, he personalized it himself...just for me! 

What everyone does after all that present opening and turkey eating...NAP time!!  

Merry Christmas to all

from us!  We hope that you each have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends.  Since I can not send cards to you all, here is our FIRST Christmas card!!

The front of our card.

The top inside....

The bottom with our message! 

I was totally jazzed when I won our Christmas cards from Shutterfly!  This was just one of the many designs I had to choose from; but wanted one with many picture options.  You know you don't get to use your beautiful wedding pics every year so I better use all my favorites this year...HA!

Ahhh...Christmas time

This year it took me a little longer than normal to CHRISTMAS UP our house!!!  You see it is on the market and well I was discouraged to decorate.  You know it would be "personal", make the house seem small...or what ever else you can think of!

Needless to say I couldn't stand the LACK of CHRISTMAS in our house. Plus we host an annual Christmas party, without decor?  Therefore, I broke the rules and brought out a few Christmas items.  No we didn't get our big wonderful tree out.  However, I did place a few things around!  Here are some random fun pics I took of it all.  Non of them are actual whole room pictures, just "artsy" ones! HA

My trees...I love these trees and have about 10 total! 

The base of the trees with beads looped around it!

my strands of beads...I love these too

The other type of trees we have placed around!

My most useful tree yet...this is the tree we hang all of our Christmas cards on as we receive them!  LOVE THIS ONE!!

North Pole Express

ALL ABORD!!!!  You know there was one little person who was super jazzed about our next adventure!  Yes sir Little B!!  He was not so thrilled about ICE, but the excitement level hit a high when we arrived at the North Pole Express.  Grapevine has a turned their little train area into a North Pole fun zone.

We were scheduled for the 6:30 departure to the North Pole.  Once we arrived there was much to do.  You could make a Christmas ornament, jump in the bounce house, have hot coco, and much more.  Oh the fun that we all had.  Prior to the train ride you were escorted into a nice warm tent.  Once inside the tent there was a cute little show that got you all ready for the ride.  The kids were able to go up on stage and sing and dance.  Some of the dads were even lucky enough to dance too (with much embarrassment).  After the show they escorted you down a pine lined trail to the train.  Once on board you had your ticket punched, then a visit from a special person...plus his wife!  It was a BLAST to say the least, just ask a certain 3 year old I know.

Come along with us....

to ICE and the North Pole Express!!!  This weekend my sister and co where here so we did some fun Christmas activities.  Thanks to Kara, my sister's good friend we all headed out for ICE at the Gaylord Texan.  Funny that we live so close to this event and have never gone.  Now I can check it off our list.  This year the Gaylord's ICE event was all about Peanuts.  If your in the area before January I really recommend that you check out ICE.  It is amazing what a team of men from China can do with 2 million pounds of ice.  (PS. its 9 degrees in there so dress warm)  Instead of words on this one I will use pictures...

  If you would like more pictures you can head over to Kara's blog too!  Also stay tuned for our trip to the NORTH POLE!!!