Christmas 2012

Christmas really is such a wonderful time of year.  It is so amazing to see it through the eyes of a child, and I just love that each year gets better and better with Zoe.  This year she could definitely open her own presents and realize what was for her, although keeping her on task was a little more difficult b/c she just wanted to play with whatever she just opened.  But we were very blessed to be able to spend time with all our families, and Zoe took it all in like a champ.

 

We started it off with Christmas Eve at VV's house.

 she loved showing off her new clothes

 

 testing out her new piano from VV

 got lots of new puzzles to play with

 

We did Xmas morning at our house just the 3 of us- opened our stockings and got to play with more toys before heading to Carter's.

 Lady and the Tramp was a big hit

 Maggie managed to step over all the presents and hide behind the tree during the thunderstorm before it started snowing

Papa Scott and Grandma Kel at Carter's for brunch

 can't go wrong with a tutu skirt

 doesn't know what to think of the snow

 

Then we ended the day at the lake

 

Trying to get our annual pj picture is proving much more difficult as they get older

 

but they had fun being kids!



Chinese Lantern Festival

State Fair Park in Dallas has a great chinese lights display going on right now.  We went the week before Christmas with the McLarty/Ferguson gang and had a great time.  Highly recommend...

 

 

 looking up at the lights in awe

 

 it took all of 3 seconds before Daddy had bought his princess this crown!

 

 Ethan likes the dinosaurs

 

Santa Pig

So our awesome neighbors Juan and Jayme throw the best parties....this year they threw a Christmas party for the kiddos, and like many people I know, their kids had already seen numerous Santas this year and the act was getting old. So what did they do....they invited over Santa Pig of course! The kids loved it and it was by far the most unique holiday party we've been to!  Thanks Juan and Jayme!

 

Breakfast with Santa 2012

The Annual Fort Worth Club Breakfast with Santa

 

 Her face says it all....

 

 You're telling me this phone calls Santa?!?

 

 Making the Xmas ornament...her favorite part of the whole day.  She's turning into one artsy little girl....wouldn't even give the petting zoo behind her the time of day.  She would have stayed at that table the whole time if I let her.

 Who is this guy???

 

 Found Nevis at the end...school buddies!

and now I'm ready to go home and crash for 3 hours!

Dallas Arboretum

So there is this amazing art exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum right now....Dale Chihuly is a colored glass sculptor who incorporated these huge pieces into the gardens and the natural setting.  It was gorgeous.  I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't gone yet, and now I want to go back at night and see the glass all lit up!

checking out the frog fountains

splashing with Daddy

 

playing in the hay

 

When I say show me your teeth trying to get her to smile, this is the face I get

 

pumpkin house

 

like father like daughter

 

 

 

 Cinderella carriage....she was less than impressed

 

 some of the Chihuly glass....

 

this shot makes my heart sing

 

 sitting Indian style in the tepee

 

 playing in the covered wagon 

 

 

I mean, isn't that cool?!?

 

 checking out the pretty glass on the infinity pool

 

she loved looking at the water fountain...

then she realized there were fish in there too!

and then she really didn't want to leave them.

 

 "come on Mommy, let's go"