Christmas trees and a parade

Madison has had a Christmas tree in her room for a couple of years now, and this year Annabel started begging for one.  I took her to Target and we started looking for a small one similar to Maddie's.  Until she spotted the purple tinsel tree.  She fell in love, and I couldn't say no.  So, here is Annabel showing off her tree.

And Madison with the one in her room

This was just before we headed out to the annual Christmas parade.  This is the first parade I have taken the girls to.  They loved it.

Notice the shorts.  I don't know if I will ever adjust to the Christmas weather here.  

Thanksgiving

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Annabel's class had a thanksgiving party.  Jared and I got to celebrate with her.

As soon as it was over, we picked Maddie up from school and drove up to my parents house.  My Grandma Nadine (Mimi to me, GeGe to the girls) and Fred had also arrived that day.  

On Wednesday, we got to relax and play some.  

The girls playing hungry hungry hippos with GeGe. 

Annabel eventually realized that pushing the lever down to open the hippo's mouth was not all that efficient.  She decided it was better to just hold the mouth open with one hand and shovel the marbles in with the other hand.

Later that day, we went to the botanical gardens in Stillwater.  There is a fun wooden ship to play on.

and a little Tinkerbell house

On the giant chair with GeGe

Grandpa even fit in Tinkerbell's house.

Thanksgiving day was great.  Lots of my mom's family was able to come to my parents' house.

The girls loved playing with the older kits.  They needed a picture with Miranda before she headed home.

We all enjoyed playing this bean bag toss game.  

Fred and Shiela

vs Mom and Grandad

Later the girls got in on the action

There was also a great cheering section.

Madison with my Grandma Vinita

Both girls with Grandma 

Mimi and Fred

We played board games

and, of course, watched some football

Friday evening, my dad's side of the family came to my parents house.  I didn't get very many pictures, but here are a couple of the girls playing with cousin Luke.  They loved him.

Santa's Wonderland

I am going to try to catch up on blogging.  

On November 17, yes before Thanksgiving, Deanna and I ran a 5k at Santa's Wonderland.  Because I ran, the rest of the family was able to get in to Santa's town for free and we got half off the hayride through the lights.  

It is a little hard to see here, but just after I finished the race, they made it "snow" in Santa's town.  I think this was Madison's favorite part.

The girls got to see a reindeer while they were in the Santa's town waiting for me to run.

Some of the shops in Santa's Town

The girls loved the hayride.  A few of the lights we saw had a distinct Aggie / Texan flair. 

A few more traditional ones

And I loved that they ended with Christ's birth and resurrection.  

Thankful

The girls and I have had fun starting to celebrate Thanksgiving.  We made a couple of crafts.  We started with this cute turkey we found at Target.  The girls said they are thankful for our puppies, our family, God, our house, and their schools.

Then today, we made this fun thankful tree.  We collected a bunch of acorns from our back yard.  Then we took a walk and picked out many sticks.  Each leaf has a Bible verse that talks about being thankful to God.

The leaves are free printables from Ann Voskamp's website if anyone is interested

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/11/a-christian-family-thanksgiving-activity-the-thanks-giving-tree-free-printable/

Just one of the many things we are thankful for: So many amazing friends.  

Last weekend we got a chance to go visit the Ruples.  There was a park near them with a train.  The kids has a blast riding it.