A Houston Christmas

A little spoiled? Yes these are all Vivianna's.

Isaac performed magic tricks! He was hysterical. We all laughed through the whole thing as he announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I will now stuff a bunny in my hat!"

Vivi got a whole little board book set of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Mickey Mouse Yahtzee with the Aunts.

Shake, shake, shake your Mickeys!

Piano with Daddy.

Isaac enjoyed his very BOY gifts.

Vivi makes an adorable chef!

Passed out on Aunt Vicki. Billy's aunts love our kids as their very own. I didn't change a whole lot of diapers and Aunt Vicki chased Vivi around with butt cream at one point--Aunt Virginia dug out some nose boogers with a kleenex.

Now that is love!

This HUGE light display is becoming a favored tradition.

Nana and Padre thought of their girl when they found these adorable decorations at Home Depot. We will enjoy seeing these displayed every year!

We went to the children's museum. This robot made completly of phones reminded me of my Dad and the IBM, GTE, and Verizon salary that I was raised on!

Isaac milked a cow.

Vivi shopped at HEB.

And they "enjoyed" a Mexican dinner in a little Casa.

This is the really yummy tex mex place we eat at every time we go near Padre's work. It is becoming our tradition so I will try to take a pic of the kids in front of the sign once a year.

Other highlights of the trip were that we got to bring our dogs! (Thank you!!) And Isaac went with his grandmother and great aunt to see The Tale of Despareux (sp?) We shopped at Macy's and Vivi got a new winter coat and other items. We ate and ate and ate. We are huge fans of a Nothing Bundt cakes double chocolate cake that Billy's cousin sends us every year. I got to spend some quality time with Billy's sister who is on cloud 9 after having passed her Texas Bar Exam. And finally, our stockings were full of giftcards...my favorite!! ;) I was especially touched by a simple gift of a little keychain that says I heart my rescue dog by Billy's aunt that doesn't even like dogs! It was such a thoughtful gesture. Thank you all for a wonderful Christmas!!

A Little Gift To Myself...

Read it, Saw it, LOVED it. Every part of it- even the sad parts. I am very much into "real life" type movies. I want to laugh and cry and feel something or it is just not worth my 8 bucks. Go see this movie...do not listen to a single critic...believe me. Did I steer you wrong last time with Juno?

Christmas Morning

Doll set.

Billy was proud of how I scaled back on the presents this year. We still had a lot of fun, but we knew the kids would get plenty from the rest of the family.

The stockings are always fun for me to do!

Minnie Mouse backpack

Minnie cell phone.

This is Isaac's gift that Vivi felt the need to open for him.

Opening a color wonder pack. The adorable tea set in the background came from Jen and Jay. She loves it!

Thomas train and DVD.

Veggie Tales ornament

Christmas In Houston

Billy's aunts, sister, parents and us at a park near their house.

Aunt Beth with the kids

Aunties Vicki and Virginia

Padre with Billy and Isaac



You all know who these two are!

We are headed home tomorrow, but I thought I would post some pics we had done with Billy's side of the family. I have a post of Christmas day and our other activities here, but I will put them up when I am home and after all the unpacking, laundry, organizing of gifts, and grocery shopping...okay, it might be a day or so!

Christmas Eve- Spent with Laurie's family

The Cousins.

Isaac and Samantha are both 4 years old. Vivi is 21 months and Seth is 8 months old.

Here are my two favorite shots of Christmas Eve. Me with my Santa Baby nephew Seth and my sister with sweet Vivianna. You can see there is really no physical resemblance between Sara and I yet we somewhat resemble each others youngest! Too funny!

Here we are at church with my parents, sister Sara, her husband Scott, and their kids Samantha and Seth.

Getting a cute shot of these two both looking at the camera was NOT going to happen!

Vivi with "Papa and MeeMaw"

Little Christmas angel...body slamming Minnie?

This picture cracks me up because the neighbor's dog got out and my sister took her back, but she does NOT do dogs. So I had to run out and capture this moment!

Isaac and Samantha getting ready to open their grandparent gifts.
Working on stocking crafts!

Grandpa and his girl.

Seth's ornament from us.

We spent the day having lunch and opening gifts at my sister's house. Then we went to church together that night. The kids had a lot of fun and were exhausted!

Happy Birthday Jesus Icecream cake!

Making Cookies with Grandma.

My nephew Seth celebrated Baby's First Christmas!

Vivi was given LOTS of Mickey and Minnie gifts!

We are now in Houston with Billy's family. We opened gifts today and had the traditional family chicken stew on rice with pita bread and a cream cheese spread. They spoiled the kids rotten- I do not know how we will get all those gifts back home. And they once again out did themselves on the stockings too! We are very grateful. We look forward to the next couple days with them and will return home on Sunday. Pics of Christmas Day to come...