Christmas #2 and 3

In an effort to make Christmas last longer I am spreading out my Christmas posts.

WHO AM I KIDDING?

The truth is I can only sit at the computer for short periods of time before I hear, "Mommy, come play with me," Or "what are we having for lunch," or "mommy, I need to go teetee."

So here is the highlights from Christmas at our house. We tried to stick to some of our oldest traditions of mass, finger foods, PJ's and presents

Kevin's family also has a tradition that the 1st person to say, "Christmas Eve gift," gets to open a present so of course Kalyton got to open a present early

And in between all of that there is time for hugs, smiles, and lots of memories.

The kids of course got more than what they could possibly need but that is part of the fun right?

As most of you know my kids are kind of drama kings/queens. That leads to lots of ups and downs, lots of giggles, and of course lots of crying as well. But most importantly it leads to lots of excitement at Christmas. Here are their faces

Then after all that excitement we drove to Hallettsville for Christmas with Dad's family. I find it very funny that we used to call it "Christmas at Grandpa's." Then when Grandpa passed away, it was "Christmas on the hill." Now I don't really know what to call it. It is still all the people (Aunt Barbsie said there was 71 of us) but a slightly different location. Only that location isn't really all that different. After all it is really just across the pasture. No matter what you call it, it is still a huge tradition of lots of people and a wonderful celebration of extended family. REally a true miracle that we can have that many people attend a Christmas day celebration. We played some of the usual games but the kids got involved as well. They played left, right, center with candy and Klayton won. Can you tell by his face (again drama king)

One more Christmas to go and then we have to move on. Darn!!!!

Christmas #1

Last weekend we headed to Levelland for our Christmas with my sister. Dad and Aunt Marla ventured the trip with a newly potty trained 2 year old and a rambonxious 5 year old. We left our house bright and early on Friday morning. Well it wasn't bright but it was 4 o'clock right on schedule complete with a trunk of presents strapped to the top of the tahoe. Of course the kids didn't sleep near as much as we wanted them to but we did manage to make it in 6 1/2 hours with a wrong turn and only 2 stops as well as only one cartoon. Pretty impressive for the Chances (we won't talk about how much food we consumed). It was snowing when we got to Levelland (or us south Texas people call it snow) so the kids ventured out for a little playing.

We missed Nathan's birthday party last week so he got to open a few presents late. One of them was moon dough and luckily Aunt Carrie is pretty laid back when it comes to messes. The kids had fun but whoa! What a disaster.

We decided the early morning trip was a great excuse to put the kids to bed early and enjoy a 6 course dinner with wine pairings. I know sounds fancy but each couple is in charge of a course and the wine and it is a great excuse to try new wines and eat for 2 hours. Oh yea, and adult conversation is wonderful.

On Sat morning we let the big kids start the party with Richard's new xbox 360 kinect (sp?). Even Grandpa and Uncle Lary got involved and we all laughed hysterically.

I guess the put everyone in the Christmas spirit because before we knew it the "big kids" were singing Christmas carols. Good times.

Then we proceeded with our usual traditions. Mass, pictures, pajamas, presents, good food, and good night hugs.

Here's the whole clan and then the whole clan being silly.

The PJ pic (we missed you Mel)

As for opening presents. Some things are still the same. Klayton loves tractors and trucks.

And Kenzie is all girl. Really excited about ballet slippers and her 1st barbie doll.

Then it is time for some good night hugs and thank yous. 1st Dad and Kenzie, then Aunt Carrie and Klayton (see he has some Henke in him, I think he has Aunt Carrie's eyes)

We had a great time. Of course there is chaos and the car ride is interesting to say the least. And yes, we probably even broke up a few fights but a week later I don't remember those things. I remember all the laughing and smiles and fun.

We're Ready!!!

We saw Santa!!! Kenzie was intimidated to say the least but once she saw the candy cane she was committed. She asked for a kitty kat and Klayton asked for a toy jet and a basketball hoop. We will hope they are good enough to get what they asked for.

I have also officially finished all of my sewing projects. Pillows for Deuce and blankets for Dax and Mila. It was fun.

Next is the Levelland trip

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

The stocking have been hung by the chimney with care.

All the ornaments have been hung

(this tress is upstairs so that the kids can hang all of their obnoxious ornament as well as my really old ones that are hideous to most people but hold special meaning to us)

And in keeping true to my mom the rest of the house is decorated enough to wear someone might say we puked Christmas (hey at least I don't do green with red trimmed bathroom rugs and red lampshades).

And I even convinced Kevin to get the outside ready for Christmas

Now all we have to do is find a few more perfect gifts and bake some cookies and we will be officially ready.

Sorry no real pictures of the kids or anything exciting but the house is so fun to come home to that I just had to share.

Thanksgiving

As I said in the last post, our Thanksgiving happened a day late or maybe I should say we had 2 days for Thanksgiving. On Thursday morning we actually ventured our for a hike with all of the kiddos. They did great. It was a mile trail with lots of steps and some nice views around RiverPlace. It took us about an hour, but more importantly there were no tears and lots of energy spent in the great outdoors. Sounds like a great reason to be thankful.

Then on Friday morning we headed to Hallettsville to see Dad. The trip in itself was an adventure. We had to stop before we left Austin due to a new little girl getting potty trained. Tights and skirts and cold weather make it difficulty for a little girl to do her business on the side of the road. Then Klayton proceeded to get sick and manage to puke in every nick and cranny in the back seat. After a stop to clean it up, he pointed out in his best Texas accent, "Daddy, that store has beer." Good times. I think he was just carsick so we moved him up a row and kept on trucking.

Lunch at Dad's was wonderful. Jeanette kept food simple and it was a great reason to be thankful for family. Of course we missed Mom's macaroni and cheese and Dad just mentioned during prayer that we were thinking of those that couldn't be with us and he was getting choked up and I think all of us were holding back tears.

Then we went outside to be thankful. Dad had a project for the guys...a greenhouse. It was a bigger project than he thought but they worked hard and made some progress by the end of the weekend.

And then we had a project for the kids. Picking green beans and we are definitely thankful for all of the wonderful fresh vegetables.

There was a little time for playing as well. Grandma Jeanette has managed to have the best toys at her house and the kids had a great time playing together.

All great reason to be thankful. Hopefully the weekend will remind us to stay thankful through the Christmas season.

Tailgaiting in November

As I say every year, I love fall. As usual we made it to one Aggie game this year. Of course this year it was even more exciting because we were playing Nebraska and this was coming after a win over OU 2 weeks ago. It was also extra fun because we got to spend an extra evening in College Station. I got to hang out with the Romansky's and Kevin hung out with his college buddies. Then on Sat we spent the day tailgating. The highlight of the tailgate had to be the fly over. That is a sure sign that I have little kids when I can't wait for the jets to come.

Here are the 4 college buddies. They don't get together often but when they do, I don't think they miss a beat.

And then it was on the game. It was an amazing atmosphere and of course a great win. The kids did pretty good considering it was a night game and Klayton has definitely turned into an Aggie football fan.
Then came the annual Thanksgiving game. It was a little different this year than it years past so lets take a trip down memory lane.

1st 2005 - we have little babies and ATM gives UT a good scare before they go on to win the National Championship

2006 - we upset UT at Kyle field and Klayton is just OK with being held by a proud daddy.

2007 - I don't know what happened to my pictures but I believe we upset UT again (but I'm sure someone will correct my if I am wrong.

2008 - We had a great time tailgating in Austin and even watched the corps march in downtown but lost (pretty big) to UT.

2009 - again no pictures but it was a loss to UT at Kyle Field.

2010 - the 1st time we have been favored at DKR in a really long time. The weather was cold so the kids stayed at home and we had a great time tailgaiting and enjoyed the game even more. I know all of you are sighing and booing and everything but as a relatively new Aggie fan we have to celebrate small victories.

Before I married Kevin the ATM vs UT game was no big deal. Now, it is the center of thanksgiving and thankfully Jeanette and Dad waited for us to celebrate thanksgiving a day late so hang around. More pictures to come