Waco or Bust

The last time my sister visited, we headed down to Waco to see Chip and Joanna.  Only, the silos weren't open yet.  So on this visit we made a plan to spend the day at Magnolia Markets.  It just so happened that it was their Christmas celebration that weekend.

Just like last time, we stopped at the Czech Stop for kolaches. Yum!

I've recently got into podcasts--I know, I'm 10 years behind--so we listened to an interesting one on the way down and back to pass the time.

We arrived!

A peak inside part of the store.  We didn't buy much, but it was fun to look around.

They had a concert there that night for the Christmas celebration, so they were setting up for that. 

It's kind of hard to see, but there is a sign that says Christmas at the Silos.  We both got an ornament that said that as well.

There was a line to get into the small bakery, but it moved quickly.

Someone was a little excited about her treats. ;)

We walked around and shopped at some of the other stores in the area, and then came back and ate at the food trucks.  We split a yummy gourmet grilled cheese and a brisket sandwich.

After shopping and eating, we left and went to Spice Village, which was another fun shopping place.  

From there, we went and got coffee at Common Ground (the owners bought a house on Season 1 of Fixer Upper).  After that it was time to head home!

And while we were driving back home, Olivia was at a birthday party for her friend Sadie.  We got back into town and headed to pick her up.  She had a great time. It was the first time we dropped her off at a party and left.  She was a little nervous before hand, but just ran in and made herself at home when Michael dropped her off.  So fun!

Auntie Love

My sister was suppose to visit in October, but had to change her plans due to a work conflict.  So she came the second week of December.

The kids love any visitors, but they especially love their Auntie Ang.

Love!

We did some playing, some shopping, and we made Christmas cookies.

Waiting for the cookies to bake

Time to decorate

The kids had a blast!

We also went to Babes one night for dinner, and then walked around Frisco Square looking at the lights.

Of course the kids enjoyed it.  Especially the fake snow that shoots out every 15 minutes.

It was actually pretty cold that night, so we weren't out long.  But it was worth it!

We ate at yummy places, watched cheesy movies, shopped, played with the kids, shared the latest gossip in our lives, and just hung out.  It was a great distraction from my busy month.

Oh.... and we went to Waco.  There are too many pictures to share here, so you'll have to come back tomorrow. ;)

December Recap

Overall, December wasn't great for me. Which is probably why I didn't blog much.  I felt the pressure bubbling up as soon as Thanksgiving ended.  I kept saying I wasn't in the Christmas spirit.  It took me nearly 3 weeks to figure out what was causing my funk.  In general, I have a lot on my plate... work, MOPS, homeschool, mom and wife life, church volunteering, and more.  I'm sure most moms could say the same.  But then when December hit, each commitment wanted a little more from me.  Work was open later.  Shoppers were crabbier.  There were Christmas parties and extra obligations for MOPS.  My kids expected advent activities, and I wanted to give it to them.  But it was all a lot.

We did have fun, but I'm not sad to be past the holidays.

Logan figured out how to climb out of his crib all of the way.  Once he did it successfully, there was no stopping him.  So we had to turn his crib into a toddler bed.  He's done surprisingly well.

Olivia and Emily in their matching pajamas for the first time.  Look at that smile!

We went on multiple play dates.  This one was for our church, and we made gingerbread houses.

Grocery shopping is not my favorite thing, but I have to admit that these two do pretty good.

Our MOPS Christmas party every year is pajamas for kids and moms alike.  Here I am with my table.  Unfortunately there were a few missing that day.

And the steering team

December is a busy month, but about half of the group leaders got together for a little Christmas dinner and gift exchange.  We had a lot of good laughs, and I needed a night like that!

I had a random Friday night off mid month.  We dressed up and headed out to meet the big guy.

We used a gift card and had dinner at PF Changs.

More white rice!

On our walk to see Santa, we took a picture by the giant tree.

We went to the local outdoor mall this year.  It was perfect.  There was no wait to see Santa, and it was about half the price as other malls.  Score!  The kids were thrilled to finally get to see him and talk to him.  And since there was no line, he actually took time with each one of them. 

From there we went to the free carriage ride they offer.

It was a perfect night to get us in the Christmas spirit.

One day Olivia mapped out a plan for her and Michael to complete for me while I was gone.  Then they reenacted her vision.  Can you guess who they are? :)

We built gingerbread houses.  We've done the house and the train in the past. This year I bought the village so each of us had a small one to do.  I also got smart and hot glued them together first, so we didn't have to worry about them fall apart mid decoration.

I had lunch out with the steering team for MOPS.  We did a favorite things gift exchange and I got a candle.  I'm totally into candles recently.

We went and looked at Christmas lights one evening.  The kids had egg nog (an all time favorite) and gingerbread cookies as a treat in the car.

We went to a play date where there was a photo area with props.  They also did Christmas crafts and played with new to them toys. Always fun.

Our life group had been doing a marriage study, so we ended the semester with a date night to a vineyard.

We took the last two weeks off of school, but that didn't stop us from doing lots of read alouds, coloring, and crafts.

We ended the month with a picnic at the park.  Now it's time to get back on schedule!

I'm sure there is a lot more that went on, but those are the pictures I have.

Christmas Day 2016

Thankfully the kids slept in a little, but when they did wake up it was with full "Santa came" excitement.

Well, Olivia anyways.  I think Logan was a little confused.

"You got Superman, Buddy!"

At this point she realized she had Rapunzel and not Emily and she made us pause so that she could go and get her!

Christmas magic!

After seeing their Santa gifts, they dug into their stockings.

Last year there was a lot of craziness going on as they both opened gifts.  I decided we weren't going to do that this year.  I wanted Olivia to pay attention to who gave her what gift, and to thank the appropriate person.  Instead of just ripping into all of the gifts and not having a clue who they came from.  Plus, I don't know about the rest of you, but this mom puts a lot of time and effort into making Christmas memorable and I didn't want the morning over in 6 seconds flat.  So I made them sort out all of the gifts and take turns opening one present at a time.

Of course they each got a movie from us.  It's tradition!  This year, Olivia got Aladdin.  It's one of the only princess movies she didn't have.  Logan got Finding Dory--my one Black Friday deal. ;)

They also both got swim goggles and diving toys, because they go swimming each week and love it.

They got lots of fun presents from Grandma.

Since Olivia didn't get the big Ariel lego castle, Logan got her a small Ariel lego set.  She was thrilled!

We got them both a pair of slippers too.  Are you catching a theme?  We did traditions (movie and ornament), needed (goggles), practical (slippers), and educational (a book).  I'm sure our children are ever grateful for grandparents. ;)

His favorite gift!

Olivia forgot that she asked for a telescope, and the was extra excited when she opened it and got one!

We love, love, love magna tiles, so magformers with wheels should be fun!

Dinosaurs!

Olivia got Logan a Blaze (car) and she was so excited!

After all of the presents were opened, the play began.  We ate brunch and watched one of their new movies.  Then we played games. Olivia got a few different card/board games and we gave them all a try.  We built lego sets, showed Emily all of her new food, used the cash register, and stuck together magformers.

And Logan drilled and undrilled.

A few days before Christmas, Olivia asked me if I was going to be making them a fun dinner.  She said, "I'm sure you can.  You know, like how you made that fun Halloween dinner.  If you can make one for Halloween, then you can make one for Christmas too."  I'm not going to lie... reindeer sandwiches sounds like a much better option than slaving over a ham/turkey/roast.  So that's what we did.  The kids had this and Michael and I had a meat and cheese platter.  Plus, Dr. Pepper reindeer floats for everyone!

Memory made!

Yummy!

After dinner we did round two of board games.  Then we settled in to movie #2 before heading to bed.  It was a pretty low key day, but the kids loved it.  That's what it's all about!

Gigi (my grandma) sent them some money to pick something out.  We chose to go to the movies as a family, so that was a fun treat.

Grandma and Grandpa Hartman sent money for memberships.  We maximized our dollars by using Groupon.  So now we have a membership to The Heard Science Museum, a few passes to their favorite indoor play place, and we paid for the extended version of the Starfall app (educational!) on their kindle.  It's one of Olivia's favorite apps, and she has basically exhausted the free section of it.  Who am I to argue? It's all educational! Win/win!

And they still have some Target gift cards from Grandma and Grandpa Gjertson.  We're going to let the dust settle (i.e. let the crazy clearance shoppers be done) and then take them in to pick something out.  This will be a real treat for them, because we aren't the kind that buys them a toy every time we go to the store.  In fact, we almost never buy them stuff.  We look, and they are content with that.  So actually getting to take something home will be a big deal!

So that was our Christmas.  It fit our family just right.  On to the next holiday....