It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Yesterday, we went to see Santa!  We decided to go somewhere closer than previous years, so we tried Firewheel mall.  It wasn't as great of a background or atmosphere (it was dead quiet in there!), but we didn't have to wait in line at all.  And I mean that literally....we were the ONLY people in the store other than Santa and the photographer.  What I did like was being able to take a few pictures of them talking to Santa!

Madison's list:  a rug for her room, Stompeez slippers and an American Girl doll (McKenna...since she loves gymnastics).  This sweet girl is always very conscious of money - she told us that she wanted to ask Santa for the doll since it is so expensive.  She didn't want us to have to spend that much on her!  :)

Nathan's list:  a Spiderman rug for his room, Stompeez slippers and an iTunes giftcard.  Yes, he desperately wants an iTunes giftcard so he can buy games on the iPad.  Crazy boy!

Santa asked them if they ever fought, and they said NO!  Trying to get in good with Santa, I guess.

And the official picture...

Then, today after church, we got all our decorations down and had some Christmas fun!  Our pre-lit tree caused us some problems which stressed me out a bit, but it was still a fun day.  I love putting up ornaments and listening to Christmas music!

I forgot to get a picture of the tree all done, but everything is ready for our Christmas season.  We are very excited to welcome December!!  It's always such a fun and magical month.  And the kids are VERY excited for Clover, our elf, to come visit again!

Ice @ The Gaylord Texan

I've always wanted to go to the Ice exhibit at the Gaylord, and thanks to Gaga, we finally did this year!  It was super cold...I mean, COLD....but we had a great time and loved the experience!  After our Thanksgiving lunch, we all headed to Grapevine.  The kids got all bundled up and were ready to go!

Nathan was trying to see the video beforehand, so Uncle Richard helped him out...

Our group!  I was so excited that everyone was looking AND smiling!

Nathan loved the slide...and he looked so funny with that huge coat!

Michael and Madison didn't think it was all that special...they kept getting stuck and couldn't make it down the slide very fast!

I only got a picture of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus, but this Nativity scene was GORGEOUS.  Amazing that this is all ice!!!

We were excited to get out and warm up...our hands and feet were feeling a bit frozen!  We had a great time, and I loved seeing all the kids have so much fun.  One of the best parts was having all four kids together...I love memories like these.  As always, I wish they lived closer to us, but we always love our visits.

Thanksgiving...

Last week Nathan had his Thanksgiving program at school.  I brought my zoom lens, but the pictures are not good at all.  I was pretty far away, and the lighting was bad, but I guess I can still remember Nathan through these pictures even if they aren't great!

I wish I could post the video....he looked so adorable shaking his bottom to one of the songs!

The program was really cute, and I loved seeing him up there.  He wasn't quite as loud and animated as he has been in previous preschool programs, but I think this was a bit more intimidating because it's a much bigger school!

He made these two things at school, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the handprint turkey.  I'm a softy when it comes to handprints...I really cherish these!  I'm so sad that Madison doesn't bring these home anymore...she's already past this sweet stage.  Time flies so fast.  :(

Today we went over to Michael's parents for Thanksgiving.  We had a great day, but I have no pictures to post!  Tomorrow we'll be spending Thanksgiving over at my mom's, and we're excited to spend it with Lacey and Cody this year! I'm sure I'll have a lot of pictures to post soon.  I can't believe Thanksgiving is already over...my favorite holiday of the year.  It's a time when I truly think about all God has given me, and how thankful I am.

Lacey and Cody are here!

We all get to celebrate Thanksgiving together...it's been years since we've all been in the same state for Thanksgiving.  Traci, Richard and the kids usually come every other Christmas, so it'll be nice to have them here for Thanksgiving!

They got in today a little after lunch, and the kids were super excited to see each other!  Nathan woke up and said, "It's my best day ever because I get to see Lacey!"  I love how well these four cousins get along...they love each other so much.

We went to Kobe's, our favorite restaurant to go to when Lacey and Cody are in town!

We had a fun day, and can't wait to see them on Friday for Thanksgiving!

Six Flags!

We had our yearly trip to Six Flags today...so thankful that Michael's work does this every year!  We invited some friends from church since they have a season pass, and we had such a great time.  Gaga and Nana were there too!  This year, I decided to leave the camera at home and just enjoy the day.  At several points, I wished that I had brought my camera, but I sure enjoyed not having to stress about taking pictures!  We did get a couple with Michael's phone though.

Big news....Nathan has hit the 42" mark, which meant bigger rides for him this year!  He's been dying to do the bigger rides, and he finally got to.  But we found out he's not quite the dare-devil we thought he was.  He went on the Tony Hawk roller coaster and the Shock Wave, and he wasn't too crazy about them!  He didn't come off crying, but he said, "I don't want to ever do that again!"  At least he tried them!!

With Paris, a friend of theirs from church...

Madison FINALLY got brave and rode the Mine Train at the end of the day...which turned out to be her favorite ride.  She also got brave and rode the Bobsled!  Nathan said they were ALL his favorite rides except for the one that had loops (Shockwave) and the one that went fast (Tony Hawk).  I always love this day every year.  It's so much fun and so nice not to fight the normal Six Flags crowds.  The kids had a great time, and will be talking about this day all year!

A little teacher...

Nathan has a live-in teacher, and he loves it!  Madison's passion is teaching people (she's always said she wants to be a teacher when she grows up), so she's lucky that he is so receptive!  A while back, we were working with Nathan on reading the BOB books, and he just wasn't getting it.  I put them away for awhile, and Madison found them.  She has taught him all by herself to read!  He's got it!!

She has also taught him all kinds of math stuff, including addition with regrouping!  He's going to be too smart for kindergarten next year if she keeps this up!

Silly kids...

Just some random silliness...

They were eating some of their Halloween candy - the sour head candy.  They thought it was hilariously sour!

This needs no explaining....just an incredibly goofy boy!

Madison is on the Green Team at school this year, and she's very excited about it.  So excited, that after school the kids have their own Green Team meeting in the front yard searching for trash!

Movin' on up!

I'm SO proud of Madison.  Tonight was the awards ceremony for the PTA Reflections contest, and Madison's story (Dolphin Magic) is moving up to the district level!  Her story is the only one moving up in her division (3rd and 4th grade).  Her teacher was even there to support her kids that entered, and Madison loved that!  We will find out in December the results of this second phase!  She worked so hard on this story, and I'm really proud of her!!  Her story is HERE.