Christmas Day

The remainder of our Christmas Day was spent at Tom and Jan's house with all of the family.  We had a delicious lunch/dinner, let the kids open presents, and played our gift card exchange game using a Christmas version of "Heads Up" for the challenges.  Other than that, everyone just visited, relaxed, and played for the rest of the day.  Dedaw played baseball with some of the kids and Uncle Gordon played lightsabers with them once it started getting dark.  The cousins all enjoyed playing together and sweet little Griffin got tons of attention as the youngest member of the family.

Kendall playing with Griffin

Dedaw played baseball with Kendall, Judson, and Mason

Kendall, Avery, Bailey and Eva

Kendall, Judson, Avery, Scott and Gordon playing around in the backyard

Avery and Scott

once it was dark the lightsabers that Judson and Mason got came out

Christmas morning

On Christmas morning, the kids woke up bright and early as usual to open presents.  Santa brought Judson an Imaginext Transforming Batcave this year.  He brought Kendall and Avery Kindle Fires with added memory cards and magnetic cases in each of their favorite colors.  And of course Santa filled their stockings with lots of fun goodies as well. Scott and I gave Judson a Ninja Turtle punching bag, Hulk hands, and Batman footie pajamas with a cape.  We gave Kendall an Orbies foot spa, Avery got a set of 100 gel pens, and they got some selfie props form Justice to share. They also each received gift cards to BJ's and Family Video to use during sleepovers with their best friends that had already been set up in advance.  Scott and I "gave" each other money to go towards our anniversary trip next summer.  After presents, a yummy breakfast, and a morning of playing at home, we headed over to Tom and Jan's for our Christmas dinner and to spend the rest of the day with the family.

showing off their Christmas jammies

Judson's Transforming Batcave from Santa

Kendall with her Kindle (ha ha!) in its purple case

Avery was really excited to get her Kindle as it was high on her wish list

Avery with her Kindle in its lime green case

Kendall got an Orbies foot spa from Scott and I and Avery is unwrapping her gel pens I think

selfie props

Scott and I gave Judson Hulk hands and a Ninja Turtle punching bag so he can work on his fighting skills

Judson loves footie Pajamas, so one of his gifts from us was batman PJ's

Kendall playing with all her new toys (and some old ones)

the girls got lots of goodies in the stockings including these play glasses

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went over to Doug and Sheila's house for a Feliz Navidad dinner and to just hang out together.  The kids had a great time jumping on the trampoline and playing with their cousins, and the food was delicious.  We even had a little piano concert from the kids and Scott and Memaw.  But the real fun (and pain!) started when everyone started taking turns on Brooklyn's hoverboard.  The kids all managed to stay safe and even Scott and some of the other grown-ups, but poor Gordon took a spill and hurt his already bad knee.  Everyone's laughs turned to concern after a minute, but thankfully he wasn't seriously injured.  Other than that incident it was a fun night of family time.

Trampoline fun!

Stacy Kirkahm (the wife of one of our referring dentists) mad this beautiful gingerbread house for us.  We decided to take a picture of it before letting all the kids eat it.

Scott trying out the hoverboard

it seemed much harder for the grownups than the kids

Avery's turn!

and finally Kendall's turn!

Judson and Eva playing on the computer.

Avery and Memaw playing a duet

Mason playing Jingle Bells

Kendall playing her songs for everyone

Zimbal Christmas

This was our year to spend Christmas Day with the Bedicheks, so on Christmas Eve Day we went over to Coppell and spent time with Mimi and Poppi.  After lunch, the kids received tons of fun presents and we all had a nice time hanging out together.  Kendall got an Easy Bake Oven, a Pastels art kit, an iHome color changing clock, matching pi's for her and her American Girl doll, and a tent and camping set for her doll.  Avery received things for her room including a lamp, a full length mirror, string lights, and a note telling her that the wall in her nook was going to be painted as a chalkboard wall.  She also received lot of chalk pens and supplies for the wall, plus the complete set of Harry Potter books.  Judson got several talking, interactive Avengers figures, the Millennium Falcon, and several other toys.  Scott and I received money towards an anniversary trip that we are planning on an taking together this summer. We gave my parents a gift card to Bass Hall in Ft Worth so that we can take them to a Broadway play or show and enjoy a fun night out together.  We had a wonderful day and are so glad that Mom and Dad live close by so we can see everyone over the Holidays.

School Holiday Parties and Girls' Night/Boys' Night

For Judson's preschool Christmas party, they had a book exchange, ate snacks and treats, and then rotated through centers that included playing bingo, making a craft, and reading a Christmas book. The kids had a lot of fun and I enjoyed going up to his school to watch and help with the party.

This year I am room mom again for both girls, which makes for a really hectic, but fun party day up at the school.  I was the sole room mom for Kendall's class, but managed to snap one picture of her before the party started.  But sadly, somehow I didn't get any of Avery's party:(  I had to run there right after Kendall's to start setting up and then was busy running the party I guess. At Kendall's class party, the kids had pizza and cookie cake decorated with snowmen, played some games, and made ornaments.  At Avery's party we had a tray of fruit in the shape of a Christmas tree, let the kids decorate Christmas cookies, played Christmas Win, Lose, or Draw and made ornaments.  Both were really fun parties for the kids and I got lots of "great job's" and "thank you's" from parents.

Doug and Sheila gave Judson and Mason gift cards to Main Event for Christmas, and so over the break, Doug, Scott, Judson, Mike, and Mason all went and had a fun boys' night of bowling and playing video games.  While they were doing that, Amy and Eva came over for a girls' night.  We had some dinner together, baked some cookies in Kendall's new Easy Bake Oven, used her new Orbies Spa for foot massages, and played girly things like dolls and dress up.  Fun times and great memories with family!

Judson's Christmas program and Avery's recital

Judson's preschool put on a little Christmas program before the holiday break.  His class sang "Go Tell it on the Mountain." It was so sweet and they did a great job singing and doing the moves!  Afterwards we enjoyed cookies and a little open house in his classroom.

We also attended Avery's Christmas voice recital in December.  She sang "When I Grow Up" from Matilda the Musical for her musical theater piece and "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten for her contemporary piece.  She did a great job on both and was a great performer as always.  It was fun to compare this performance to her performances last year and see how her voice has matured and how she has grown in her vocal ability.  Great job Avery! We love hearing you sing!