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!

Date Night!

This past weekend we had the opportunity to go on a double-double date. Bob and I got to enjoy the company of our friends {and neighbors} Lee & Jeff, while our kiddos got to have their first chaperoned date - ha! Bridgette and Ayers have enjoyed playing together on the street, so we thought we'd test out the restaurant scene. We went to La Duni, and the kids did surprisingly well! ...even Aiden was good while we ate! Not sure how often that will happen, but we sure did have a good time! Here are pictures of the kids playing earlier in the day, and then later that night.

Bridgette Speaks

Last weekend, Bob's parents came up for a quick visit to see the grandkids. It was a wonderful surprise, and Bridgette and Aiden loved seeing their Vovo and Vovo! But the best part was this video we captured... Bridgette was sorting through Vovo's purse while we asked her animal sounds and to repeat certain names. It is just too cute for words! Enjoy the video :) Thanks Vovo e Vovo for coming up to visit! Beijos, beijos!

Aiden gets to cuddle with his Vovo

Halloween Part 2 & 3

Saturday evening our neighbors Lee & Jeff (and their little boy Ayers) hosted a little party to get everyone together, get the kids in their costumes, and watch the Rangers game. The food was delicious and the weather was perfect! I love parties on the street where we just walk home! Enjoy the pics:

Bridgette and Caroline ready to party!

(or maybe they're looking at us thinking "what's with all the cameras??")

Cowboy (Ayers), Pink Poodle (Caroline), Foofa (Audrey), and Moo Cow (Bridge)

Aiden enjoying the game with Daddy and the boys

Bridgette loved all of Ayers toys! I have a feeling she and Aiden will play just fine together :)

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{Trick or Treat!}

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Sunday we continued the festivities by taking our little munchkins trick-or-treating for the first time. I think the parents (and Mimi & Poppa) enjoyed it more - ha! It was hilarious to watch Bridgette's face as she figured out the whole candy thing. They all had the hang of it by the last house! And they were all trying to eat the candy through the wrappers... we found out Bridgette likes kitkats! Sorry for the picture overload... there were just too many to share! Hope everyone had a fun Halloween this year!

From the movie The Hangover: Alan and Carlos

Aiden is stylin'!

The kids are loaded up and ready to go...

... and here's the entourage that followed!

Trick or Treat!

Look Mom - CANDY!

And then my favorite picture of the evening ... we had a little altercation over the bucket! hehe

Halloween Part 1: Early Childhood PTA Carnival

This weekend was FULL of Halloween activities! First up was the Lake Highlands Area Early Childhood PTA Carnival. This was Bridgette's first outing in her cow costume, and it was a success! It was so cute to see all the kids in their costumes, and then to see their faces when they saw their friends dressed up as something else! Here are the highlights from Saturday morning.

Mimi and Bridgette reading some books while we get ready to go.

The Chic-fil-A cow was there, and Bridgette's face was hilarious watching him!

She would get excited and point, but when we got close she wasn't so sure about him.

Bridgette and her friend Brooke

Kelly and I showing off Bridgette and Parker a.k.a. the cutest cows at the party!

The bean bag toss was one of her favorite games

Bridgette was too small to go down the big slide by herself, so Poppa let her "jump" at the edge of it...

she LOVED this!

On our way out, she stopped and sat down... checking to make sure her "prizes" were still in her bag!

And the cow passed out within minutes of getting in her carseat!

I think she had a good time!