Preparing for Christmas

Christmas has been in full swing here.  We usually go to Bering's (a staple store in Houston) to see Santa, but this year we went to our church's Christmas party.  As expected Luke did NOT like Santa.  Poor guy, it took two takes to even get this picture.  

  

True to form, Luke was happy as a clam once he found the food table.  Stinker. 

After the party we made a gingerbread house.  I was a bit surprised at how much all three wanted to help build it, but by far their favorite part was eating the candy. 

Brad and I went and saw/heard the Houston Symphony's Merry Pops Christmas program, and it was A-MAZ-ING!  Amazing.  

The kids had their Christmas programs at school, and both performed beautifully.  The highlight was the entire lower school of James's school reciting Luke 2.  I am hoping someone filmed it :) 

I hosted my neighborhood girlfriends for our third annual scarf exchange/Christmas party.  It is always a fun night, especially considering that we don't get together as often since the kids have gotten older/busier.

Brad and I went and saw Home Alone in the theatre with our friends Jordan and Ashleigh and after we went to the cute French cafe.  

There have been a many of these nights at our house lately---watching a Christmas program after bath.  

Last weekend Natalie and James's friends Zoe and Evan hosted a Christmas hayride.  These are some of Natalie's sweet school friends.  Again, James was present for the hayride, but he wouldn't sit up or still long enough to get a picture. 

Natalie, Zoe, Mary (1st grade neighbor), Audrey and Elise

I stepped foot in my first store to purchase a Christmas gift, and Natalie and Luke LOVED Nordstrom!!  They were a bit of a handful because they were running in between mirrors and clothes racks.  Thankfully the ladies that helped us were exceptionally nice.

Last weekend the kids opened their Christmas pjs and we went to River Oaks to look at Christmas lights.  Luke wouldn't cooperate for a picture, but we had fun. 

This was the following morning at church, and Luke is wearing a bubble that my Aunt Cil made for James.  I love it. 

 These two last pictures I love: Luke and Natalie figured out how to both do the sit-and-spin together, and James did these incredible Christmas drawings this week.

can't figure out how to rotate it

We are ready for Christmas!!