Santa Sightings

We see Santa, but only from a distance.  The girls are very unsure of Santa and like to watch and wave from afar.  This was at Stonebriar mall, the day we decorated Little Bubba's house.

 Caroline was a real stinker on this trip to the mall.  I had a few quick things to get, but ended up throwing in the towel and literally left the mall with her screaming and kicking her legs.  I didn't think it was funny at the time, but I laugh now, thinking of me racing through the mall with the stroller tilted back and her legs kicking in the air.  She is not a shopper these days.  She is definitely 2 and I don't even attempt to take her to ANY store.  I race around like a crazy person when the girls are in school.  My Christmas shopping was definitely a challenge this year.

 I just couldn't force the girls to take a picture with Santa this year, but we ended up getting one at Bass Pro.  The third try is always a charm! They agreed to stand next to him in exchange for a carousel ride and a sonic lunch.  I didn't get a picture with my camera, but the one we got is tear free.  No smiles, but no tears either!

 Waiting in Line

 Carousel and  Pretend Boat Rides

Little Elves at Work

We made a day trip to Frisco a couple of weeks ago to help Little Bubba decorate his house for the holidays.  Abby took her jobs seriously.  She really got into putting the Santa lights out.

 Ta Da!

 These elves love to decorate.  They have it down!

After we decorated, Little Bubba built his helpers some log cabins with the Lincoln Logs Nonnie and Pops brought from DC.  We also enjoyed cooking out and playing at his playground we went to every day last spring when we lived with him. 

The Christmas "Festibal"

The girls couldn't wait for our church's annual Children's Christmas Festival, or "festibal", as Abby calls it. It has become one of their favorite events during this season. 

 It was last Wednesday evening, which was also Nonnie and Pops homecoming from DC.  They arrived just in time.

 We got there right when it started and the girls wanted to ride with you know who, so Brent and I enjoyed a ride in our own car since there was no line.

 Snowhill Rides-Whee!!

  

Caroline was so excited about everything. She literally bounced, galloped and danced her way everywhere.

 Carnival Games

 Abby did not ride a pony.

 Caroline did and loved it!

 Swing Ride

The Live Nativity- The older kids perform and do a great job.  I didn't get a pic of the live animals, but Abby and Caroline thought they were neat.

Breakfast with Santa

Yesterday was Breakfast with Santa.  We almost didn't make it this year.  Caroline was awake all night with a cold and was still asleep 20 minutes before it started.  She rallied and seemed well enough to make an appearance, so we hustled and got there.  These girls will only get in a picture with Santa if it is a family pose.

Riding the Reindeer

 The girls ate their cookies first.  Then, they ate the pancakes.

 "Don't come too close, Gingerbread Man."

 Cookie Decorating

 They made an ornament with Caroline's teacher.  Our school hosts the breakfast at our church and the girls enjoy seeing all their teachers out of the classroom.

"In a One Horse Open Sleigh"

This Friday night, Nonnie and Pops wanted to take Abby and Caroline out on a date while Brent and I had a date of our own.  They took the girls on a carriage ride around the square.  It was perfect weather and Abby was finally showing signs of feeling better.  She had a wierd virus all week that resulted in staying home from school and two trips to the doctor.

Getting Settled

 Waiting for Josey, the horse with pink glitter hooves.  I had pics of them petting her, but can only find one :(

Caroline Petting Josey

 Throwing Coins in the Fountain

Moving Right Along

 We did not waste one minute switching from Thanksgiving to Christmas decor and activities.  The girls helped Nonnie pack up boxes for our sister church in Fort Worth.  They had assignments for  2 and 4 year old girls, so it was right up their alley.

 

 We literally closed the door after our Thanksgiving guests departed and had the fall decorations packed up in an hour.  The girls were ready to get out our Christmas trees.

 They had so much fun getting out their own trees and ornaments.  They are building quite a collection now and Momo has supplied them with lots of snowglobes.