Round 2

 While Luke was napping, Jake and I set out again to make the most of our snow day.  We decided to build another snowman, this one was a little bigger and better...

 I love the chance to get in some special time with this sweet, sweet boy...

 Of course, we were plenty proud of our little snowmen, but just to share the extent of the snow, I'll share a neighbor's snowmen. This picture was taken the next day when most of the snow was already melted, but one neighbor made these three life sized snowmen.  They were awesome!!!  It really was a lot of snow for us Texas folks!

Froggy

 Luckily, the electricity did come back on, but while we snowed in for the day we got to enjoy some of the new games the boys got for Christmas.  One very silly game turned us into frogs...

 Our froggy boys were also cuddly boys on this cold, wintry day...

Let it Snow

 After celebrating with the Lawson family starting Christmas night and through the weekend, the kids and I headed to my parents house to spend a few days while Kevin was working.  On Monday morning, we woke up to no electricity and this....

It was pretty awesome (the snow, not the lack of electricity)!!!  Luke had never seen snow and both boys were so excited!  It snowed about 3-4 inches at their house, while just 20 minutes east of them there wasn't anything.  Of course, we had to head out and enjoy it while it lasted...

 Our little snowman...

Christmas Day

We had a fun, laid back Christmas morning enjoying presents, Papa and Granmama, and being at home.  The morning started with checking out what Santa brought...

I love cutesy themed breakfast, so Christmas Day could not disappoint.  My dad did the cooking, and I did the designing (stolen from Pinterest, of course!)

Christmas Eve

 We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at our own house!!! I can't even express how exciting it was.  In 12 years of marriage, I believe we have done this one time: when I was 38 weeks pregnant with Jake.  This is one thing we definitely love about living closer to our families.  It felt great to spend the full week together and get to experience Christmas in a different way.  Our Christmas Even morning began with a surprise breakfast treat...

  Reading Jesus' birth story...

 Papa and Granmama joined us for our celebrations and it was fun to host family for the holidays!  Here are the boys as we're getting ready for Santa...

 Can't forget the milk and cookies...

Lights

 We love looking at Christmas lights.  I was definitely missing Cedar Park as we were figuring out where we would go see the lights.  We were fortunate to have some awesome light displays not far from home in Cedar Park, but we were excited to see something new and different this year!  Following advice from friends, we headed to Highland Park to see how the rich light their mansions up.  It was quite a site.  This picture does no justice to this display, but those are life-sized horses, carriage, Santa and Longhorns in their front yard!!!  I could hardly believe my eyes  Where do they store that stuff??  Their display is bigger than my house!!!

 This next house was so awesome, we had to see it through their private gate!!!  It was spectacular...

 This picture was taken through the gate, but here's another life size replica this time Santa's sleigh and reindeer!!!

2 Front Teeth

Jake lost one of his top front teeth in November so we were anxious to see if he'd be needing to ask for his "two front teeth" for Christmas.  Well, the Wednesday before Christmas Jake's basketball team had an optional practice, and Jake came home with a surprise!  A basketball knocked out his tooth!

His adult one was already starting to grow in pretty good on the first side, but I will still count it in the records that he lost his two front teeth right before Christmas!!

Friends!

 Without a doubt, the hardest part of a move is leaving people you love.  I love the Dishman family, and I know they love us.  Now that we live over 3 hours away instead of 5 minutes, our times together are definitely precious.  Thankfully, Chez's family lives north of us, so we can benefit from their visiting family.  Here are our cutie kiddos who picked up right where they left off...

Cookies!

 It just doesn't seem like Christmas without making and decorating Christmas cookies!!  This year, Jake was the biggest help yet.  He cracked the eggs all by himself and was super at stirring!

 Luke joined in for the cutting and decorating...

 Cookies as dirty work...

 I know the best part comes at the end when we decorate (and sample!)

We made plenty to share and took cookies to neighbors, our pediatrician's office, and the police station.  I love getting to share the idea of loving and giving to others during our Advent.  I also love getting to talk to the boys about special people in our community who dedicate their lives to helping others.  The best part of it all for me is definitely the delivery part!