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!