Dollar Christmas night

A few years back, we started a family tradition of Dollar Christmas Night. So, on Christmas Eve, I have everyone over for dinner (which is usually Mexican food) and everyone brings a gift for everyone else that came from the dollar store. You never know what you can find at the Dollar Store!! Sometimes you can find some pretty useful stuff, and sometimes it is just something hilarious that one loving family member thought you needed. Here apparently someone thought Madison needed some new sunglasses .....

It looks like she agreed!

Madison was a big helper, and helped EVERYONE open their presents...

Apparently the glasses were a hit!

Occasionally someone gets creative with the wrapping

Home alone faces :)

Whew, after a night of laughter and fun, these two girls are TIRED!!!

Papa's birthday

This year good ole Papa turned 60!!  Since his birthday is only 2 days before Christmas we decided to throw him a surprise party in November. Not sure you can surprise someone more then having a party a month before your birthday :)  Needless to say, he was surprised! We had a lot of fun!  So when his actual birthday  rolled around we decided to keep it a little more low key. Family dinner, cake, presents, etc.

Papa and his buddy

He can't go anywhere without someone following :)

Cake time!

60 candles makes a lot of smoke!! But he did it, on breath and all the candles were blown out!

Christmas Party time!

Christmas brings another time where we can get the girls matching outfits and take pictures!! Well always good in theory! But don't they look cute!!!

Mackenna trying to decide if she really wants to be in the picture.....

Guess she decided not to be in the pic!

Ah here is one with all three!

Present time! Madison got her friends matching ornaments that said, "Friends Forever"

A few more with all three :)

Time for a pintrest project, Madison is thrilled as always to have paint brushed on her feet!

While we don't have a picture of all three girls in one spot, looking in one direction, I wouldn't change it! And I won't stop making them dress alike to get that "perfect" picture!!!!

Santa ... year two

I was looking forward to the Santa visit this year, thinking Madison would enjoy it. Well I was wrong. She loves pictures of Santa, the toys Santa brings, songs about Santa, but the actual, living, breathing, moving Santa, she is NOT a fan of.  AT ALL

From this view not so bad

And now she is running away....

So it was suggested that I join her for the picture. As you can tell by the clothes I am wearing and the sunglasses on my head I was not prepared for this!

And it doesn't really seem to help

Her shirt reads "I love Santa". It really should have parentheses under it saying, (from a distance)

Not sure I will ever get the "perfect" Santa picture, but I will keep trying!!

Houston Bound!

This post is mainly written by Amy, I had a few edits :)

Back in the beginning of November we went to visit our dear friends, the Scott's, who moved to Houston this past summer. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Addison and Madison watching for the airplane to arrive

And then playing in the airport lobby

When we arrived it was bedtime for the girls, so Addison got to hitch a ride on the suitcase.

The next day we had donuts and kolaches (amazing!) and hung out at the house. It was nice to spend time with our friends and watch the girls interact. I would say that donuts were a hit!

Friday night was the guys night out. Waylon was so kind as to send us pictures from their evening out. They went bowling.

They played pool. Word is this place has one of the "top five" burgers of all time. They all seemed to rave about them.

Then they went to see a movie together. Apparently it involved some pretty cool glasses.

The girls stayed home and watched the little munchkins. It is easy when Wonder Pets are involved.

Of course they took a bath together. I can't wait to use these pictures someday for embarrassment.

All pajama'd and paci/wasi/binki'd up

Saturday was when the real fun began. Girls night out! We really had no clue what to do. We just knew there would be no kids so we were excited!

Our first stop was to a model home open house.

Then we went to a Gringo's that had just opened. I would say these fancy drinks were about the highlight of this place.

Luckily the salsa wasn't bad either. Our entrees and the service was not up to par. But again no kids, so oh well.

Next was when the real fun began. We went to Ikea. When we entered this store we turned into giggly 15 year old girls. We laughed and had the best time. When it was time to move to the next floor (this place was HUGE) we took the elevator. Well we got stuck in the elevator. (see their faces 15 year old girls I tell you).

Then they told us it would be a 15 min. wait. Well that sent Brook in a panic attack, Melissa apparently grabbed her head in fear, and I couldn't stop laughing.

Well it didn't take them that long to get us out. The guy said we were lucky. Apparently, the day before the people were not so lucky and were stuck in the elevator for a really long time. Okay back to being school girls. We made a quick video for the guys, displaying our top one shopping cart.

  

 While the girls wer out having a grand time, the boys stayed home to watch the little ones. 

Looks like they had a party!

Upon arriving in Houston, Addy informed us she was going to be a big sister! So of course we had to head out and get the girls matching shirts and take pictures!!!

Best Friend!

On Sunday we headed home :(

We had such a fun time with the Scott's and are so sad they live in Houston. But can't wait to see them again soon!