Christmas Prep Fun

The girls and I had a really fun time decorating for Christmas this year.  They wanted to be in charge of decorating the tree - I was more than glad to give up that job!  I doubt I will get such eager volunteers when it is time to put the decorations away!

Sorry for the grainy pictures - I took them with my phone inside, so the quality is low, but you get the idea!

A few days after we decorated we continued with our yearly tradition of going to visit Santa at Bass Pro Shops.  The girls both gave him a VERY detailed list of which Barbie movie they wanted and a review of their favorite Barbie's and Princess's - I don't think he was sad to see our turn end!

 

 

 Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!

- Philippians 4:4

 

Texas Sized Ice Storm

 We got a Texas sized ice storm last week that the girls loved.

 We finally found a use for the golf course that we live on - sledding on the sand traps!

 Chris even tried a little surfing on a boogie board.

 You can see how well that ended!

He says to the snow, "Fall on the earth," and to the rain shower, "Be a mighty downpour."
- Job 37:6

Ice: The Nutcracker

 

We took the girls to Ice: The Nutcracker last week.  A Dallas area hotel puts on this huge carved ice extravaganza each year with over 2 million pounds of carved ice.  As the title suggests, this years theme was the Nutcracker - a story that both girls love. 

Their favorite part of this little trip was how much they loved "sledding" down the ice lanes.  The pictures are bad as they were from the phone in below freezing temperatures - but you get the idea!

We all had a great time but feel like living in a freezing climate wouldn't work well for us!

 

 

 

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
- Psalm 30:4

 

Thankful Each Day

 

 

I was once again lucky enough to spend another Thanksgiving with all of my favorite blessings! 

 

 

We started the day by cheering on Chris as he ran in a local Turkey Trot.  In spite of the cold, cold weather he did a great job and finished really well.  Then it was time to head home and start the cooking and eating marathon!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Fossil Rim

 

A few weeks ago we took a family field trip during the week to Fossil Rim - a wildlife center where over 1,000 animals are free to roam. 

 The animals come right up to your car to be fed - it was amazing.  

We had such a great time and made some lifelong animal friends!

We made so many fun memories there and can't wait to go back again!

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.
- Isaiah 40:8

Skating with Dad

Over the past year Chris has taken Grace ice skating a few times. This past weekend Emma decided that she too wanted to skate. 

 

I am confident that Chris should be nominated - and would win - Dad of the Year for this afternoon.  His patience skating around in circles with two squealing and squirmy girls for the afternoon in a freezing rink should clinch his win!

So, I gladly watched from the sidelines and snapped a few (very blurry) pics of their special afternoon together!

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
His love endures forever.
- Psalm 136:1

Halloween Fun

The weekend before Halloween, our community had a Monster Mile - characters and their helpers were lined up for a mile handing out candy to all of the kids. 

The girls loved it and Emma declared that it was better than trick or treating!

 

The night before Halloween Chris and the girls carved our giant pumpkin - as you can see, Emma isn't a big fan of the inside of a pumpkin!

 

We hope you all had a wonderfully fun and safe Halloween!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
- Hebrews 13:8

San Antonio

We took the kids to San Antonio for a quick trip. I only got a few pics but we had a fun trip and hit up the typical tourist stops - The Alamo and Riverwalk!

Sadly, this was the best of the pictures that we took on our boat tour of the Riverwalk!

Yes, both girls thought it would be a very smart idea to stick their heads in a cannon - don't think that they are headed for the military anytime soon!

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
- Colossians 3:2

Fall Festival

 
Our community hosts an annual Fall Festival. Chris had to work Saturday so the girls and I headed down to check it out.

They had such a great time - jumping on the giant trampolines, air brush tattoos and balloon wands - what more could a girl ask for?!

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome
- 1 John 5:3