Christmas morning

Our Christmas morning wasn't exactly what I had envisioned, but I will spare you all the details of my trip to the ER.  After I got home from the ER at 8am and was doped up on morphine, we had a great morning together as our family of 4.  Clay was so excited to see what Santa brought him and was truly thankful for everything.  Avery just followed Clay's lead and was thrilled too!  

I put our gifts on the stairs (behind a gate), so that the kids can't get into them early.  ha!

Avery's "big gift" was her kitchen.  She has loved it!

Clay's loot!  He got a golf bag and a travel DVD player. 

Handsome little golfer!

Avery boiling her phone!

I love Clay's expression!

Clay is mesmerized by his new DVD player.  He told Kyle, "Daddy, you can watch Cramer whenever you want, because I have my own TV!"

 It was a sweet morning with my family... they rest of the day was a blur....

Cookies for Santa

On Christmas Eve, Clay and I made cookies for Santa.  His favorite part was drowning each cookie with sprinkles.  ha!  Avery helped watch the cookies bake... and eat them!  I love this tradition with my kiddos.

We made stars and trees!

Anxiously waited for them to bake.  Like Avery's hair?  She had some serious bed-head.  ha!

Icing each cookie.

The finished cookies!  Clay had the idea to do the yellow stars with blue sprinkles.  I told  him that green and red were Christmas colors and he replied with "but these sprinkles are CHRISTMAS BLUE!"  Sounds good to me :)

All ready for Santa!

Christmas Eve 2011

We did our "normal" Christmas Eve routine with Pop and Gee.  We loved spending time together and celebrating Jesus' birth.  The kids were so excited.  They truly experienced a "magical" Christmas.

Clay was begging to open gifts.  Finally, we gave him the "go ahead" to rip into his gifts.

 "I love it, Gee!  Thank you so much!" -Clay

CoCo gave Avery the cutest Hello Kitty backpack and she wore it for the rest of the night.  She loved it! :)

Pop gave Clay his 80 year old gun.  It was so kind of him to  give it to Clay.  He had an official, notarized document and everything!

 It was a great night to spend with our family.  We are so thankful for our wonderful families and the ability to spend Christmas together.

Clay's First Hunt

On Christmas Eve, Kyle took Clay on his first duck hunt.  They got up at 5:30 and headed to the farm.  Avery and I staying snug in our beds until they got home :)  Clay had so much fun, but said that it was really cold!  I can't believe that my boy is so big.  I was super nervous about his first hunt, but Kyle assured me that everyone would be safe... makes this mama's heart a little uneasy.

Shrek the Halls

On Christmas "Eve Eve" the Sims crew ventured to the "Shrek the Halls" ICE exhibit at the Gaylord Texan.  After many long lines and two very anxious children, we entered the wonderful world of ICE.  It was so fun and the kids (especially Clay) loved it!  I am almost certain that we did everything wrong.  So, learn from my mistakes- buy your tickets online and find a coupon, reserve your time, don't go during a super busy time and bring activities for the kids during the wait.  My Mom is only 2 weeks out of surgery and was such a trooper.  

One very excited little boy!

My favorite kiddos

Waiting in one of the many lines.

9 degrees and loving it!

Very excited to see Donkey

Nana and Paw Paw's boy :)

Daddy and Clay waiting in line for the slide.  

My favorite part was the nativity at the end of the exhibit.  A narrator was reading Christ's birth over the  speakers from the Bible.  So cool!

We're on Santa's NICE LIST!

Clay:  4 years old

Avery:  21 months old

Crafty Christmas

With much inspiration from Pintrest, I have been super crafty this Christmas.

I stole a cute idea for Santa letters.  I created a "fill in the blank" type letter and framed them.  We can write on them in dry erase marker and use them every year.  Clay is so excited!

I made these shirts for the kids for Clay's preschool party.  I designed the image and used  transfer paper.  I was disappointed, because they didn't survive their first wash.  I should've had my mom make them.  Oh well!

I started collected my Crystal Light containers a few months ago and used them as packaging for my Puppy Chow.  I wrapped the containers in wrapping paper and created a sticker.  We have been delivering them to our neighbors and friends.  

My favorite craft this Christmas is our Christmas card holder.  I bought a wood panel at Hobby Lobby and painted it.  Then, I attached ribbon and painted matching clothes pins.  

The kids have been crafty too! 

I put up a little tree in my kitchen for all of their Christmas ornaments and crafts.  My favorite tree!

Clay was given a race car craft kit and immediately wanted to get started.  He had SO much fun painting and decorating his car.  He is my child after all.  ha!

The finished product (almost).  Since this picture, he has added stickers.