Monster Faces

I really wish I could remember why we were doing this all through the holidays, but I like it!

 

Ready to ring in the new year

Happy New Year! 

Check out more pics in our December album!

Christmas-on

Christmas morning was quite exciting!  I GOT MY BUTTERFLY GARDEN!  WOO-HOO!  I was a bit surprised that I didn't actually get the butterflies with the cage, but I hear they're coming soon.  Gavin got a no-pedal bike just like mine, so we'll be able to tool around the neighborhood together.

 Hmmm ... I thought I made more cookies than this ...

I love it, but where are the butterflies?!

Gotta proctect the smarts!

Luckily everyone had a few extra days before they had to head back to their cities, so we took advantage of the time by just hanging out and having a good time.

Claire's first attempt at directing and cinematography

(taking after her uncle)

Only the family will understand this still ...

and the memory still makes me laugh

Kirby, say Moooo



Good sports

The youngest generation together

Check out more pics in our December album!

Primrose Holiday

"Jingle Bells" was the our class song this year, and -- judging from the performance -- we were encouraged to sing as loud as possible for our parents.  No inside voices tonight!

Hands behind our back

 Ready to sing

 

Check out how red my face turns ...
when Ms. W told us to sing loud, she forgot to remind us to "breathe"!

I also got to do a performance with my dance class to show off what we learned during the fall.

 

Ready to watch the next performance

The next week, Mrs. Clause even came to the school to wish us Happy Holidays.  She said Santa was too busy to come by, but she wanted to say hello.

Not sure there's more Holiday program pictures, but there's a lot more to check out in our December album!

Dear Santa ...

I had the opportunity to write Santa a letter when Gavin and I went to the Bass Pro Shop with the Hunters.  I asked him for the butterfly garden that I've been hoping for all year, and I think I've been a good enough girl to get it (crossing fingers).  While we were there, we got to check out all the cool exhibits, decorations, and ride ons. 

No, YOU put your head in!

 

Hard at work composing my letter

 

Claire-bears ... BEAR!

 

Ride 'em, cowboys

TONS more pictures in our December album!

Holiday Kickoff

After coming back from our Gaylord visit, we kicked off the holidays at home by opening our 2012 ornaments for the Christmas tree.

I started Kenpo Karate this year

Gavin got a Noah's Ark for his animal-themed

2nd birthday party at The Ark (yet to be held)

Panther Cubs!  My first (and last?) soccer team.

Gavin was a duck for Halloween

(though you wouldn't know it from the pictures

since he wouldn't wear his costume on Halloween)

Sharing a wishbone.  We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season!

You'll have to check out how the tree turned out by coming back to visit our December blog updates.  See more pics in our November album now!

Panther Cubs Season Party

Just like that, my first season of soccer came to an end.  For the end of season party, they brought out the sports gear and bounce house at our practice field, and we had a rockin' celebration.  Based on the three games that I attended (out of 10 or so), we're not sure that I have the "killer spirit" to make it on the field.  I don't get it ... why shouldn't I share the ball once I've had it long enough?  Loved the practices, though! 

Signing the card for Coach

 

Me and Coach Dave

 

What the ...?

 

What's a party without a party dress? 

Giggling girls

See what else we did in our November album!

Operation Christmas Child

Something that Mommy tries to stress is the importance of giving, and this year we got to participate in Operation Christmas Child where we were able to pack shoeboxes for kids all over the world who would otherwise get nothing for Christmas.  We set up the clubhouse so that all of our friends and their parents could come by and assemble their boxes for us to drop off later. 

Look at all this cool stuff!

 

Decorating the box before sending it off

 

A favorite masterpiece ready to go

 

  They're starting to add up!

Taking a break from packing to play

Mommy wasn't sure if I would really "get" what it was all about, but I did.  Even months later, I would still talk about the boxes for the kids so that they would get something on Christmas morning.

Check out more pics from our November album!

Howgates Visit

The Howgates came to visit us in Dallas which always promises to be a good time full of laughter and fun.  We went to JumpStreet, Zone Action Park, the park, and Jacob's house.  It was only a couple of months after we were together in Austin, but we missed each other and had a blast together again!
 

Four in the car

 

Superheroes

 

Riding the elephant 

The men and their numero unos

 

The mommies

You know there's lots more pictures of the trip plus the rest of November, so you should check them out in our Nov album!

One Last Pumpkin Patch

We just happened to be free on Halloween day, and with some fortuitous texting between our mommies, Gavin and I found ourselves at one last pumpkin patch with Kaylie on Halloween morning. The Celina pumpkin patch was perfect because it wasn't busy at all, we got to feed animals, go on a hayride, and choose a pumpkin to take home.

But first, an unfortunate quick stop for new clothes for Gavin

These goats are hungry!

Happy to be together

You can't fake friendship like this

What the ...

And he's off!

Pumpkins selected

Group shot

Check out more pics in our October album!

Cuties Halloween Party

Another tradition continues -- the fourth annual Camelot Cuties Halloween party! The mommies decided that with super-active four-year-olds plus many siblings in tow, it made sense to simplify, simplify, simplify for the party. For us, that meant inflating some bounce houses, ordering pizza, letting the kids decorate cookies, and potluck dessert. It turned out fanstastic!

Proud of my contribution to the decor before getting dressed

Enjoying the cookie decorating

Group shot

Funny faces

That evening, we enjoyed having Logan in town and made sure we spent a few extra minutes with them efore they had to return to Colorado.

Sweet friends

More funny faces

Couch-ful of friends

Behaving for pop rocks

Check out more pics in our October album!