This momma LOVES the Christmas season -
always have, always will!
The girls were at such perfect ages this year
to really enjoy the Xmas magic.
Plus, since we're here in Texas,
it's only fitting that we "go big"
when it comes to holiday events
and family traditions.
Here are some of my favorite memories from December.
What a beautiful entrance to our neighborhood -
you couldn't help but smile every time you returned home.
Every November, Southlake hosts its
Home for the Holidays event in Townsquare.
Santa leads the countdown for the Christmas tree lighting.
At the same time, holiday lights on all the trees and wreaths
all over the square turn on.
Instantly festive!
There are school choirs that perform,
hot chocolate stands, horse and carriage rides
and "snow" tubing.
It's a favorite tradition of ours.
Harry, our elf, returned right after Thanksgiving.
His tradition seems to be bringing Lexi and Ryleigh
the Lego Advent Calendar every year
on his first day back with us.
He was also especially creative
and mischievous this time around.
Here are a few of his holiday antics!
The girls loved racing around the house each morning,
looking to see where that silly elf was.
Ryleigh and daddy picked out perhaps our prettiest tree yet.
It was ten feet tall and really full.
It may be the last time we get a real tree,
and, if so, it sure was a 'beaut
Lexi spent a solid hour getting her little tree out of storage,
then decorating it with some of her ornaments.
I didn't want Ryleigh to feel left out this year,
so I surprised her after school one day
with this new addition in her bedroom.
She was totally thrilled
and promptly went to work decorating it.
We were amazed no ornaments broke in the process ;)
Our church always puts on quite a holiday festival,
and this year was no exception.
There were carnival rides and games, bounce houses,
"snow" tubing, camel rides, a live nativity,
and hot cocoa and cotton candy.
We paid a visit to the Grapevine Santa this year
and had a great experience.
He took quite a bit of time with the girls,
heard their request for a real live puppy,
and even did a few silly faces and poses with them.
I'm not sure how much longer
they'll want to sit on the big guy's lap,
but I sure do look forward to these pictures each year.
Since Vic was at his office dinner,
we decided to have a girls' night
at the nearby Gaylord Hotel.
You wouldn't believe how "all out"
this place goes over Christmas.
There is an entire themed ice exhibit -
complete with snow tubing,
there are decorations and lights as far as the eye can see,
there are pictures with Santa,
cookies and story time with Mrs. Claus,
gingerbread house decorating, and on and on.
We decided to take part in the Elf on the Shelf Scavenger hunt
and then grab some dinner.
It was so much fun
that I think we'll make a family tradition of it.
It's always a fun time celebrating the season
with some of our favorite neighborhood couples.
December had quite a few super cold Texas days,
so we had a lot of hot cocoa and put the fireplace
to good use all month long.
I just love the dinner club that Vic and I are part of.
We have been meeting once a month,
and for December, we decided to get a little bit fancy.
Our friend and neighbor Michelle
doesn't do anything small,
and we sure do love her for that.
This year, she hosted a very sweet family party.
Santa paid a visit and read to the kiddos,
there were carolers, cookie decorating,
an inflatable slide, face painting,
and lots of food and cocktails.
There was an ugly Christmas sweater theme
for the adults, and every single one of us participated.
Naughty or nice?
We'll let Santa be the judge!
To kick off holiday break,
we hosted some of Lexi's classmates
for a night spent watching "Elf" and eating pizza.
Here, they are teaching her what the dab is.
Another new tradition that meant a lot to me
was visiting a local nursing home with friends
to sing a few Christmas carols
and hand out homemade holiday cards.
While the residents were so appreciative,
I really think it was US who got the most out of the visit.
What a fun month,
filled with lots of holiday cheer.
P.S. This picture captures the last day
I felt healthy in December.
I was taken down
by a terrible cold from that moment on.
Still a great holiday, though!
