We celebrated Christmas in Texas this year. We flew in a few days early and spent the majority of our time shopping, wrapping, baking, and having play dates and sleep overs with cousins Nicole and Andrew. On Christmas Eve Day we met up with my cousin, Laura, and her family at Neiman Marcus in Dallas. They had a special holiday display set up where the kids could climb through tunnels that meandered through the store-front windows. This was a hit with the kids, who raced through the exhibit dozens of times.
Uncle Scott & Aunt Manivanh hosted Christmas Eve. We munched on hors d’oeurves, played our traditional Christmas “dice game,” the kids decorated a gingerbread house, and Santa even dropped by for a visit.
Christmas Day was celebrated at Grammy and Papa’s house. Avery woke up early that morning and ventured downstairs by himself while we were still sleeping. Fortunately, Jonathan woke up and discovered him opening presents. Most of the stockings were emptied out, and one gift for Scott & Manivanh was unwrapped. I was a little surprised that Avery did this, but apparently Jonathan once did something similar when he was little, so it must be some mischievous trait Avery gets from his dad. Shortly after re-stuffing the stockings, we all opened presents together. The kids were totally in their element and paper and boxes were everywhere. We had a delicious Christmas feast that evening with all the traditional fixings.
Overall, we had a great holiday, and enjoyed spending time with our family in Texas. Here are some pictures from our trip:
The cookie decorating team
A beautiful sunny day at the park
Playing on the iPad
Jingle, our “elf on the shelf,” followed us all the way to Texas. That’s him on the window sill.
Kieron with his buddy, Cosette
He’s telling us he wants ice cream
Jonathan took Avery and Nicole ice skating at the mall
Avery, in the Neiman Marcus display
Avery with cousin, Will
Grammy and Mommy on Christmas Eve
The kid’s table
Playing the dice game (Avery was not too keen on the idea of stealing presents)
Our little chef was in heaven playing in the kitchen all night
Gingerbread architects/decorators
The boys, quiet and in awe of Santa (I think Kieron was clinging to my leg at this point)
Check out the serious face on Avery
Looking for Rudolph’s red nose in the sky
Christmas morning!
He was a good boy after all! This was what he’d been asking for all month.
Kieron pumping iron
Like father, like son. Now he just needs a toy roaster – do they make those?
Aunt Manivanh mixing green bean casserole
Papa whipping up twice baked potatoes
Nicole modeling a new shirt
Kieron trying cheesecake
Poor Cosette, trying to rest before Kieron comes after her again
Mommy flying Daddy’s helicopter
Grammy with Yorkshire pudding puffs
A toast at the kid’s table
Christmas dinner
Our attempt at a picture of the four cousins
