Four Christmases (aka the BIG FAT holiday post)

Christmas has come and gone.  This weekend the last of our decor will made it's way into the garage to hibernate until next winter.  Our holiday was lovely and deserves a recap so here goes.


To participate in our first celebration we hit I-35 and headed North to Dallas.  After surviving the traffic that threatened to dampen even the cheeriest disposition we finally made it!  We were greeted with smiles and family and enjoyed spending the rest of the day at my Aunt's home which was decked out for Christmas...

Christmas is good for bringing out the love and there was plenty to go around...

I spent most of my afternoon chasing after this little mess, who was determined to get into everything...

Until I got smart and put the girls in "baby jail" for a little while...

That lasted just long enough for me to enjoy a delicious "cake ball" courtesy of my mom (delish)...

An overall theme this year was white elephant/chinese gift exchanges.  There was a lot of trading going on everywhere we went.  Note to self: Lottery tickets are big hit with men around Christmas!  Later that evening Carter go her first lesson from Pops in the art of "scratching off"...

Our first Christmas was a great way to kick things off and we were so happy to get to see Clint and Jenny before they headed North to Chicago.  A few days later we started our Second celebration with the arrival of Uncle John...

He was a big hit around our house and there girls were especially entertained with his book reading and mad puppet show skills...

We loved having him in our home for a couple of days and then Grammy and Granddad arrived to join in the fun!  Whenever they are around there is sure to be game playing...

And maybe something a little more unexpected like a lesson in how to do a headstand (Emme was determined to help out)...

And laughing...there is sure to be laughing...

Of course Grandparents are especially gifted when it comes to giving so bring on the presents!  We loved getting to see Emerson open gifts for the fist time this year, it was definitely all about the unwrapping...

Her big sister can be very helpful when it comes to actually getting the presents out of the package...

And showing her how to use them...

Then is was Carter's turn and Granny gets two thumbs up for creativity!  A Little Red Riding Hood book...

And all the making's for putting on her very own play...

Of course what would the story be without a wolf, grandma and woodcutter??  Here are a few scenes from the re-enactment...

The whole cast and crew...

That night we headed down the the River Walk which is extremely festive this time of year.  First stop was Mi Tierra for a little Mexican Food...

It was a great way to kick off the evening...

We hit the streets and headed down to the river.  Emme was just along for the ride...

Taking in all the beautiful lights along the way...

Then, thanks to Granddad, the whole family had their very first Riverboat ride...

The perfect end to our Second Christmas celebration.  But it wasn't over for long.  A few hours later my parents arrived to kick off the third Christmas.  They rolled into town just as we were getting these freshly jammied babes ready for bed...

Emerson's very first Christmas Eve...

One word, EXCITED!

Bring on the presents!  

After opening a few there was no doubt what had captured Emme's heart...

She was quite the little shaker and got everyone in on the action...

Calming those two down was a bit of a task, but the nativity story from dad did the trick...

And with milk and cookies for Santa left with care they were off to bed.  The next morning was one I look forward to all year.  Pure excitement is contagious...

Santa came!

The rest of the day was spent trying out new toys...

The adults also squeezed in a couple of great movies (yay for having an awesome babysitter).  We saw True Grit and The Fighter (both highly recommended).  I was so thankful that my parents came and shared Christmas with us.  It was perfect, cozy and everything I could have asked for.  Three down one to go!

A couple of days later we met up with Nonna and Poppa for the day.  It was full of favorites for Carter...a museum, playing games, swimming and I was happy to have the opportunity to take her on her very first go cart ride (unfortunately I think she got a double dose of competitiveness from both Nate and I and she was actually a little mad that we didn't win)....

The next weekend we were happy that the fun wasn't over and were excited to host Nonna, Poppa, Aunt Kathie and Uncle Bart.  There were more presents to be had (the girls never seem to get tired of that part of Christmas).  We had a lovely meal together and were so happy to have them all in our home.  My favorite quote from our time together came from Poppa who said, "You are never to old to snuggle"...

Well said....

There was also another valuable lesson in "Lottery Scatch Off's" for Carter to take part in (I think she is a pro after the Christmas holidays)...

Whew!!  Four Christmases!  It was Jolly, Happy, Merry, and full of FaLaLaLaLa!!  We hope you had a wonderful time with your family and that your New Year is off to a (as Carter would say) FABULOUS start!