Merry Christmas 2010

As you can imagine with a toddler and a new baby... this Christmas has been a lot of fun, went by way too fast, and the kids were spoiled rotten! We spent the first half of Christmas in Houston with the Bloems. Everyone made it in town, and we had the WHOLE family there at one time! :) Bridgette and Ava got lots of cousin playtime in (along with spoil time from their madrinhas), we had great food, a funny round of apples to apples, and Bob and I even got out one night for dinner with some friends. (Thanks Vovo' & Vovo!)

On Christmas morning we left Houston and headed back to Dallas. We stopped at our house first to see what Santa had left for the kids, did our stockings, then loaded back up to do Christmas at Mimi and Poppa's house. Jared finally got to meet his nephew, and wore Bridgette out playing hide and seek! The next day we got to see even more family. My aunt Nancy and uncle Worth were in town with Blair and Travis, and aunt Becky, Greg, and Taylor joined us for an evening of appetizers, games, and silliness! It was great to see everyone even though it was short. We are so blessed to have such a fun, loving, and supportive family on both sides!!! Love you all!

Bridgette & Ava rearranging the nativity scene

Tia Christina teaching the girls how to play the piano...

... then the girls trying to play by themselves later that night

Aiden getting some love from Vovo...

... and some more snuggle time with Tia Marthi

The girls opening their gifts :)

My sweet niece Ava... we were best buds this trip! :)

Bridgette fell in love with her new kitchen that Santa left!

Uncle Jared, meet Aiden

Bridgette lovin' on Poppa

Bridgette's favorite game of the night - hide and seek with Jared

Blair and I with our famous cousin pic we take every time :)

Tea party with Blair and Travis... with her new table and teacups!

Bridgette wanted to go outside for a walk...

except she didn't really want to ride in the wagon this time...

this is the best picture! I miss my cousins!

Bridgette + Aiden meet Santa Claus!

This weekend we took the kids to meet Santa. Bridgette and I got up early on Saturday morning, threw on coats over our pj's, and headed to Northpark mall to get our ticket. We were number 81, and were told to come back around 2:30 that afternoon. (Yes, there is a number system... they really have this thing down!) Anywho... we got the kids in their special outfits and hoped for the best. Surprisingly Bridgette did well, but Aiden was not impressed! HA! We were in and out (with picture in hand) in 30 minutes! :) Not sure if that will ever happen again, but we'll take it.

Bridgette + Lily reunite again!

On Friday, Carolyn and David drove in with Lily for a quick visit. We only had a few hours, but we (ahem, Bridgette + Lily) had a lot of fun! We think this was the trip that the girls really started becoming friends :) They got to run around, color, eat pizza, have a bubble bath, and stay up past their bedtimes! Enjoy the pics!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

The Sunday after Thanksgiving we went to pick out our tree, brought it home to set up, and watched Christmas Vacation and Elf. After doing this for the 4th or 5th year in a row, we've decided this is now one of our traditions. (along with half of America probably, right?) The tree turned out pretty nice, considering most of the ornaments (or in Bridgette terms "Balls!") are up high! I just love this time of year, the smell of the tree, the lights on the houses, and the cute footed pajamas on the kids!

Pretty lights...

Bridgette telling Aiden what's up!

Aiden smiling after his sister left him alone! ha!

Chester standing proudly in front of our tree

Aiden breaks in the bumbo chair ...

... and then Bridgette claimed it back, of course

Thanksgiving 2010

{{ Part 1: Thanksgiving on the Beach }}

Well, since we are well into December ... I thought I might catch up and post pictures from Thanksgiving. I have been avoiding it, because there are just too many great photos to choose from and I am quite the indecisive one! So here goes it ... sorry for the overload, but I didn't want to leave anything out!

This year, my parents decided to do something a little different and they rented a beach house in Galveston. It was so great to get out of Dallas, have a mini-vacation, and just be able to RELAX! Here are the highlights below...

Bridgette & Daddy walking to the beach

One of my favorite pics from the weekend!

"Bubbles!" is what Bridgette said as she saw the foam from the waves wash up.

Bridge and Poppa looking at shells.

Mimi getting to "talk" to Aiden

Thanksgiving morning on the deck... not a bad way to start the day!

Aiden getting to dine al fresco :)

We went to the Strand on Friday to take Bridgette to the Emporium - an old fashioned candy shop that I've been going to since I was a kid. She LOVED it!

So much candy to choose from!

Then we sat at the mini table & chairs to enjoy the goodies :)

My Aunt Holly & Uncle Craig came down with the cousins... here Bridgette is having some laughs with Michael

Casey, Maddy, and Michael getting to know Aiden

Some people have asked why there aren't many pictures of Mimi? The picture above says it all ... she's always snapping photos! Thanks Mom for capturing all of these great memories!

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{{ Part 2: the Bridgette & Ava show }}

After a few days on the beach, we headed up to Bob's parents' house to do Thanksgiving there. We had a great time with everyone, but I think Bridgette and Ava had the most fun! That is why the pictures below are just of them. It is so much fun to see these girls grow up together and share the motherhood experiences with Sandra!

Aww, the love each other and like to give "hugs"

Busy bees with their washable markers... should have seen them after!

The girls were letting Aiden know it was "night-night" time :)

Anytime I held Aiden, Ava was right there to check him out, pat his back, and make sure I was taking care of him! She's going to be a great big sis!

The girls got to take a bubble bath together ... and if you can't tell - they enjoyed it! HA!