Trip to Harlingen

The very next day, the girls and I hopped on a plane to head South for Christmas.  We spent 8 days in Harlingen for Christmas, and Jason joined us for half the time.  It was a wonderful trip, and we had the best time with my family.  Of course, we kept ourselves super busy with fun activities for the girls, and I wouldn't trade all the memories we made for anything.

 

Ready for takeoff

Ad takes a "friend" with her everywhere she goes

My dad had broccoli growing in his garden so we harvested some to cook with dinner on the night we arrived.  It was the perfect start to a week of country livin'.

yummmm

The next morning we headed to church, and this was the best pic I could muster of the 2 girls in their matching dresses.  sigh

Cousins on the swing!!

Sunday night, we hopped in the car and drove to Hidalgo for their festival of lights.  None of us had been before, but it turned out to be great.  The girls (and adults) all loved it.

Lila with her Papaw

The girls have the best Mimi and Papaw

They had a tram ride that went all through the surrounding neighborhoods.  You saw tons of houses decorated with lights and various displays that the city had put together.  It was all set to music and was very festive.  My favorite was the 12 days of Christmas display.

The ride was about an hour long, and the girls never got restless.

YEA!!

They also had a carnival with rides so we let the girls ride the flying elephant ride before heading home.

Party Time

The last day of school, both girls had Christmas parties in their classroom.  I helped organize Lila's party this year.  We did breakfast, a book exchange and all made super cute ornaments with the kiddo's handprints.  When Lila's party was over, I headed up to Ad's class for her pizza party and book exchange.  Both girls got to wear their Christmas jammies to the party and both had a great time.  Their teachers each got them the sweetest gifts.  I am so blessed that the girls have teachers that love on them and take such good care of them during the day.

Lila was a big fan of the icing on her cupcake

Buggy ride after the party

Pizza time!

Ad drew Spencer's name for the book exchange and was so excited to give her her gift

I love Ad's face.  Her teachers gave her a Sherriff Callie puzzle, and she was sooo excited.  :)

Boy's Hunting Trip

In mid-December, Jason joined my Dad and brothers on their annual hunting weekend extravaganza.  This year, they booked a goose and pheasant hunt in Dumas, TX.  They hunted for 2 full days and had a super great hunt.  While they were gone, I attended my work Christmas party, hung with the girls and took Ad and Lila to a bday party.  It was a great weekend for all.

Morning 1 with their geese

Pretty

Afternoon 1 with their pheasants

They had some super early wake up calls so this was the result.  :)

More pheasants

More geese

They morning they left, it was snowing and cold.  I think they were all glad they weren't hunting.

Christmas Play

Each year, the girl's school puts on a Christmas play and includes all the primary school kiddos at the beginning of the performance.  Both girls did really well, and they were adorable on stage. 

Lila's class walked out on stage and rang bells to a Christmas song.  My little social butterfly was loving it and waving at EVERYONE in the audience.  So cute!!

Our buddy Jackson's and his class in the Christmas pjs.

Hi guys!

I think she thought she was the star of the show!  Love this sweet girl.

Addie's class stood on stage and sang 3 different Christmas songs.  I was not sure how much singing would actually take place when they got up on stage in front of a huge crowd, but they did so great.  I was soooo proud of her, and I absolutely loved hearing their sweet little 3 year old voices singing.

Away in a Manger

Tumbling and Ballet

Well it is 2016 and after a 2.5 week break, we are back to the routine of life.  However, I have a TON of posts to get up to round out our 2015 so bare with me as I live in the past for the next week or so.

 

Before school let out, Addie had her mid-year tumbling and ballet demos for the parents.  I love that my job is flexible, and I can sneak over to her school to watch these things.  These demos with a bunch of 3 year olds is a little like herding cats, but when it is your kiddo they are herding, it's still precious.

Ad was so proud and her daddy and I were there to watch her.

They did a few group exercises to start

then each had a turn on the balance beam

and all had an individual performance where they showed off their somersaults, etc.

and got a certificate that outlined what skills they worked on this semester.

 

The next day, was Ad's ballet show.

My little ballerina

Nana was able to come watch

Ad and Spencer came in playing together and were holding  hands, etc.  These two are big buddies.