Etheringtons in da house!!

We were SOOOOO excited to have Mimi, Grandpa and Jane come to Texas.  They hoped to escape the freezing temperatures in Utah but really only had one day of pleasant weather before it also became freezing here.  They called it the "winter vortex" and the entire nation suffered through cold winds and low temps.  We were happy to have at least one night to sit outside and roast some s'mores. 

Then it got COLD so the next day we watched Harry Potter.  Jack snuggled with Grandpa as much as he possibly could.   

He also couldn't keep his hands off Aunt Jane.  He was usually standing nearby either stroking her arm or playing with her hair.  Jane was ALWAYS near this fire.  I was dying of heat the whole time they were here.  Apparently even though they came from snowy 3 degree Utah, 50 degree Texas still wasn't warm enough.   

After a while we got cabin fever and went to see the view at Mt. Bonnell.  We could only handle the icy winds for a few minutes and were soon back in the car blasting the heat!!   

The fire became a necessity.  I think our gas bill will be slightly higher this month.  

We all enjoyed church together and then had our "Christmas feast" even though it was nearly new years day.  I got the vegans to eat some ham and bacon.  It was a triumph indeed! 

Mimi brought many new books.  We spent a lot of time reading all of them.   

More stroking and playing of Jane's hair.

It finally warmed up a bit so we decided to head down to Wimberly to see the big trees and the trail of lights.   

For a brief moment Sadie and Jack were friendly.  This needed to be documented. 

Love our quirky Texas lights. 

We're so happy to have Sister Jane Etherington home from her misson!!

Jack was sitting three feet to the left of Jane before I took this picture.  Once she sat down, he immediately scooted on over to her side.  He loves his Aunt Jane!! 

We spent our last night with them at the Hula Hut and painting nails.  Jane was kind enough to paint my toes for me.  Heaven knows I couldn't reach them myself. 

Lots of scrabble and pounce (which I excitedly admit was won by ME both rounds) and fun late night conversations.  Oh how I love my family!! 

Come back soon!!

Christmas 2014

Kids woke up EARLY this year!!  We rolled out of bed and sleepily made their Santa pancakes.   

We took the pancakes upstairs and as soon as everyone had full bellies we headed down the stairs to see if Santa came!!  

He did!! 

George LOVED the idea of opening presents this year.  He opened all of his and helped me open mine too.   

Sadie was sweet enough to make Chase and me some rainbow loom bracelets and I was kind enough to grant her request of getting "high heels" this year.  She asked Santa for a "long maxi skirt" and high heels.  Clearly this girl is growing up WAY too fast!!

She also got a pair of cowboy boots. I think it's funny/sad she's at the age where clothes are becoming more fun than toys.  She still thought her Lego Friends horse stable was the coolest present EVER!!  

George got a garbage truck!!  We didn't mean to have a theme for George this year but it was definitely "Trucks".  He played all day with all his new trucks! 

Jack asked for Legos and Hot Wheels this year.  He's gotten pretty good at putting everything together on his own.  He and Sadie spent nearly the entire day putting all their legos together.   

Wouldn't be Christmas for Sadie if she didn't get new horses.  She has since named all these horses including the names "Chocolate, Brownie, Destiny, and Spotty." 

We spent the entire day just chilling in our pajamas and playing with our new toys.  It was fantastic!! 

Now we need to clean it all up and get ready for Grandpa, Mimi and Jane to come tomorrow!!

Christmas Eve

While Dad went to work for half the day we stayed home, cleaned the house and made some "reindeer food" out of oats and sprinkles.   

The Gordon's gave us the GRAND idea to go to PF Chang's for dinner.  I bought a ham but decided to wait and cook it for my parents when they came the 26th.  The best part about going out to dinner for Xmas eve is not having to clean anything up after spending all day cleaning the house.  Food was delicious and not only were the Gordon's there but our Laux neighbor's had the same genius idea.   

Sadie Lady and her Mommy.

Jack ate, and ate, and ate.  He ate his meal and half of each plate that Chase and I ordered.  He was HUNGRY!! 

George "ate" with the help of YouTube and garbage trucks.   

After spreading our "reindeer food," we went inside to eat some cookies by the fire and open our special Christmas pajamas. 

Look at these kids!!  They are seriously the CUTEST!! 

CC sent some new ornaments so we put those on the tree too.  

We wrapped up the evening with some Christmas books and putting out cookies for Santa.  Jack was kind enough to save his fortune cookie from PF Chang's.   

Chase and I had already wrapped everything a few days prior, so we snuggled up and watched Love Actually.  It was a perfect evening!! 

We decided that baby girl needed a stocking this year too.  I knew there was a reason I bought 6 of these.  

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve Eve

Last year we celebrated the eve of Christmas at the Lunt's and even though it was REALLY fun, we all decided that this year we should celebrate "Christmas Eve" the 23rd instead of the 24th.  It was too chaotic trying to leave at a reasonable hour and do all our own family traditions before putting the kids to bed the 24th.  Having it the night before was WAY better and much more relaxing.  We didn't feel like we needed to rush home and really enjoyed the evening much more.  

We started by singing carols to all the neighbors from the back of the trailer Craig pulled around with his truck.  It was REALLY cold (for Texas), so it didn't last too long. I was a HUGE advocate for heading back to the house sooner than later as my pregnant belly longed for a comfy couch and not a bumpy wooden trailer.  It was still fun and the kids loved it!  

Then we had our talent show.  Sadie sang songs with all the girls and then played a beautiful arrangement of Silent Night for everyone on the piano. 

Craig came out dressed like Santa but didn't fool anyone. Sadie and Jack knew it was him but had fun playing along.  Jack told him he wanted "Lego Movie" Legos and then sang "Everything is Awesome" until it was the next kid's turn.    

Very fun night with some of my favorite people.  Love our "family" here in Austin!