The kids and I flew to Texas a week before Kevin did, the flight went pretty good and we were able to spend some quality time with Mimi and Tia and their cousins celebrating Christmas.
Brian and Laura invited us to celebrate Christmas with them at their church advent party. After a short service the kids were off to play.
Wyatt already teasing Caden, let the vacation begin!
Wyatt and Caden with their balloons, a helicopter for Wyatt and a sword AND holder for Caden, lucky guy.
Luke is thrilled with his balloon, I think he's trying to make his own animal.
Did I tell you I was freezing in Dallas? The kids wanted to go on a horse drawn carriage ride, burr cold!
Wyatt, Caden, Mimi, and Annabelle
While we were playing hide and seek Luke and Annabelle were up to no good. Seriously it takes two minutes to do this much damage by two toddlers.
Winding down at the end of the night.
Wyatt had a chance to celebrate his birthday again, Happy Birthday Wyatt!
His prize possession.
Snack time, lots of this going on, I think that's why I seriously gained five pounds!
...and of course their were gingerbread men.
Carlee and Kathleen took us to a hotel downtown that had some fun Christmas decor. Luke loved the elephants.
The evolution...
Me: "Let's take a picture on these giant chairs"
Luke: We'll see what they think of this...
Wyatt still blissfully unaware
Luke: "Got him!"
The kids loved this giant nutcracker
Once again Luke teasing Wyatt while I'm trying to get a picture.
A night in Richardson at the Christmas Cottages.
Playing instruments in the music cottage.
A beautiful day at the Children's Garden, my two little peas in a pod.
Luke's typical mischievous look.
Running from Tia.
Posing in the giant bird's nest.
Wyatt loved the treehouse at the garden, I loved the view.
Exploring the Great Wolf Lodge one day.
Grr
And Daddy's here! Time to hit the trains at North Park.
Luke is obsessed with trains, so I'm sure this was his favorite day by far.
The boys getting excited about some trains...
Luke not so excited I'm holding him.
Finally all four kids in one shot, even though Annabelle is heading around the corner.
Kevin's cousins and their kids come over for a visit.
Thanks to Annabelle, who loves lifting her shirt, a show your belly contest started.
Christmas Eve, time to open presents with the cousins.
Wyatt and Luke really loved Caden's crane truck.
Christmas Eve boxes full of jammies, a movie, popcorn, and books for the boys.
Writing Santa a letter, "Dear Santa, I've been good, bring me presents. Thank you, Wyatt"
Mimi helped the kids bake Santa some cookies and Wyatt made sure he had a glass of milk.
"Mom, Santa was here, look at his footprints! And guess what he drank his milk and ate his cookies, he only left one piece for me and I ate it!" It was pure excitement from Wyatt Christmas morning, it was so cute and as soon as I heard him screaming Kevin and I jumped out of bed, I know it's only going to last a few more years and I want to soak in every minute, it melts my heart.
Luke loved the light and musical card Santa left him and Wyatt. He still plays it over and over.
Helping Daddy open his presents.
Showing off their card to me.
Kevin loving his new Texas shirt from Mimi.
Luke was way into the slinky Santa left in his stocking.
It was a great trip to Dallas, full of fun memories.
My Dad and Andy stayed at the house while we were in Texas to go to a football game, apparently Andy decided to jump on the tramp, even though it obviously was moved off the grass and a piece was missing, and he snapped the frame! Wyatt was sorely disappointed when he came home, I told him, there must have been a Grinch here that came and ruined Christmas. Look at that sad face, Kevin's too, he had to take apart the thing.
That's ok Andy, we'll get you back when Kevin has you help him put together a new one.
