Christmas Day

The weather today was lovely - warm and sunny.  I have no idea why we didn't get pictures of the girls with their Santa gifts.  Mallory received the Lego Friends Pop Star Stage and a gymnastics leotard.  Maggie received a Play-doh Ice Cream Shop set and a Paw Patrol Everest toy.

After we got ready, we headed over to Mammy and Guy Guy's house.  We decided to open presents after lunch, but the girls were allowed to open their stockings before.

Grandma and Papa Nick came over for dinner as well since nobody was going to be at their house.

Matt was enjoying taking pictures with his new camera. Here is a great one of Daisy.

Since the weather was nice, Guy Guy made sure the "tractor" was gassed up and ready to go.

The three of them rode this thing until the tank was puttering and nearly empty.

Mom and me

Preparing for Santa and the Reindeer

This is the second or third year we have put out reindeer food for the reindeer.  Here are the girls ready to go outside.  Mallory refused to put on flip flops and I finally said okay and she could freeze. It wasn't that cold, but way to cold for flip flops.

Tossing food on the side walk.

And on the driveway.  I did manage to get them to put in the yard finally.  Notice Maggie putting out food in Teeghan's yard too?

Christmas Eve

Today did not go as planned. I spent the morning at the doctor and learned I had an Upper Respiratory Infection.  I stayed home and rested while Matt and the girls went to church with Grandma and Papa Nick.

The girls looked very pretty for church.  Here they are being silly.

When they came home, we opened presents.  Maggie was very excited about her new Paw Patrol slippers.  She also received a new shirt, dress, books, toy car/trucks, and some jewelry.  

This picture is so sweet.  The girls loving on each other after receiving the gifts they gave one another.  Mallory gave Maggie and CD case for all her music.  Maggie gave Mallory the Annie soundtrack.

Mallory showing off her new doll she got from Uncle Dan, Aunt Angela, and Abby.

Can you tell the surprise and excitement after opening this gift?  Mallory has wanted a canopy for her bedroom for some time now and Maggie got on band wagon. Their wish was finally granted and it is funny they were wearing the color of their canopy.  

Mallory's canopy.

After putting up the canopy's we came back into the living room and look what we found.  A little black dog under the tree.  We laughed and laughed and laughed.  Seeing this made me realize how the presents got moved and why there was dog hair in that spot the other day.  I thought the girls and been snooping and they said they had not.  They hadn't!

Dunkin' Donuts Finally Opened

I have been waiting for months for Dunkin' Donuts to open in Murphy.  Not sure what the deal was, but it took about seven months for this place to open its doors.  I am so glad it finally did.

We waited twenty minutes to get up to the counter, but it was well worth the wait.  The girls chose a pink donut with sprinkles and I chose a box of 25 munckins.  Of course, 15 of them were the chocolate ones. They are the BEST! The whole reason I love Dunkin' Donuts. Their coffee is really good too, but I would rather just make coffee at home.

Maggie showing off her donut.

Mallory and her fancy hair - two headbands! 

Munckins...YUMMO!

CPC Awkward Christmas

Our church's theme for Christmas this year was "Awkward Family."  To promote the series and the Eve of Christmas Eve service, we handed out cards at the Plano and Murphy  tree lighting ceremonies.  The Easter Bunny was also there because Christmas is awkward for the bunny.  We used the bunny in our flyers and to get people's attention.  

I was in charge of promotions so the girls and I attended the Murphy event together.  Here they are in front of the tree.

Next to the reindeer.  They were not impressed.

Must more excited to see the Chick-fil-a cows because they could receive coupons for free ice cream.

Priorities...

I was the Easter Bunny for the Plano event.  

Here we are at the event.

Some photos of me when we did the video for the service.

Playing in the Leaves

Richard and Kristen have a ton of leaves in their yard.  Mallory wanted to play in them, so I knocked on the door and asked if we could.  They of course said yes and all the kiddos came out to play.  They had the best time.

Morgan and Tillman were not sure what to think about all the excitement at first.

Tillman finally joining in and Morgan still just watching.

Mallory, Teaghan, Kaylee, and Maggie jumping up and throwing leaves. 

Mallory with Santa

I know she has done this for three years now, but it still makes me excited.  I remember when Mallory wouldn't get near Santa and cried and cried.  She flipped out even when she knew who was dressed up in the costume.

Maggie wouldn't get near him, but didn't cry. Just stayed back about fifteen feet.

Mallory and Santa - HOA Christmas Gathering

Happy Thanksgiving

Natural Bridge Caverns Tour

Mallory asked quite a few times, late last year, to go to a cavern so she could find crystals.  I explained to her that it doesn't work that way. She didn't think I was right and kept asking.  During this time, I found someone selling discounted tickets to the Natural Bridge Caverns in San Marcos.  I bought them with the intent of us going during Spring Break this past spring.  Of course, the tickets weren't good during that time.  We decided to use them during Thanksgiving Break when we went to Dan and Angela's.  Abby joined us on our adventure.

Matt and the girls before we headed inside. 

Pictures inside the caverns.

Standing by the tree outside. 

Receiving Their Christmas Ornament

Since we are going to be gone for Thanksgiving, I decided to put the trees up before we leave.  This meant, we would give the girls their ornament a little early this year as well. 

 Here they are with their eyes closed anxiously waiting to find out what it is.

Can you tell they are excited?  This is the most excited Maggie has ever been about an ornament - it is also the first year that she has really grasped Christmas.  Both girls, were so happy with their glittery seashell ornament.  I chose this because they loved collecting shells at the beach this summer.

Trying to hear the ocean.

The girls decorating their tree that goes in the game room. I tried to get Maggie to spread the ornaments out, but she wouldn't listen.  I gave up trying and just went with it. She was happy with the tree and that is what matters.