Our Houston Christmas, Part II

Grandma arrived full of love, gifts, and energy on December 26th...ROUND TWO!

The 70-degree weather sadly left with Nana and Poppa, and the temps were chilly, chilly, chilly. Noreen was a trooper and loved getting out for walks, because one can only stay indoors for so long with two rambunctious wild animals.

Bo is still completely and utterly OBSESSED with the “Bumbo” (Bumble) from the classic Rudolph cartoon. He wavers between love/hate with this white beast, but today with Grandma by his side, he was brave enough to touch!

Cookies, anyone?

It was sad to say goodbye to our last family visitor after a very awesome holiday season! We feel so lucky to have such a LOVING family who make HUGE efforts to show their love across long distance. Between Halloween and Christmas we had almost EVERY immediate family member visit us and now our new home is decorated with memories of those that matter most. Thanks so much. XOXO.

Our Houston Christmas, Part I

Christmas Eve day was sunny and warm. A FIRST for us coming from Northern CA. Bo took the opportunity to have another showdown with the neighbor’s “Bumbo.”

And we got in a competitively hilarious game of football.

Christmas Eve could possibly be the double edge sword in every kid’s world! Therefore, we distract them with tons of Eve family fun.

And of course, Christmas Morning will never disappoint.

Great fun. Great Visitors. Great 1st Houston Christmas.

Now, time to get ready for Grandma Noreen…

Skype-ing for Baby Chiesl!

Molly and Mike decided to find out the sex of their bun in the oven via a cake cutting reveal in front of family. I’m OBSESSED with this new idea to find out if your newest family member will be showered in pink or blue.

Even though we were exactly 1,949 miles away, we got to see blue the same time as everyone else!  “I love technology….just as much as you, you seeee.” Kip would be proud.

Well, Baby Jax, we can’t wait!

And I have to give props to the amazing Chef and Baker, my Aunt Dana! Great job, as always. : )

Tis’ the Season

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas! Everything about it: the music (24/7 the entire month never gets old…to me), the décor on every street corner, the giving spirit of family, friends and neighbors, the crafts, and the unabashed joy and enthusiasm of my children for all of it!

This year we made gifts with my Mom’s group:

Got messy during Acey’s naptime:

Played in lots of neighborhood snow…in 80 degree weather:

Saw Reindeer and Santa a few streets down from our house:

We went on MANY “winter” walks looking at lights and seeing the West U Tree and nutcrackers, which were Bo’s new obsession. Why? “Because they have swords, Momma!”

And Momma and the Boys picked out a BEAUTIFUL and AFFORDABLE tree (yeah, Houston Garden Center!) and decorated it that night with Daddy.

We had several December visitors, including cousin Amy, who embraced my little pirates and even sent them the CUTEST pirate books for Christmas!

Between Grandparents, Cousins, Aunts and Uncles, and Turner sisters…these boys got Christmas care packages almost every day. Even though we moved our lil’ munchkins miles away from their extended family, they are certainly loved and thought about. They are so lucky to have such a loving and thoughtful family!