Christmas Part 3- Papa & Gramielle

We are very thankful that Papa and Gramielle "shared" us with my family and our friends while we were in The Woodlands. After all the visits and running around was over with we spent the remaining time hanging out at home with Papa and Gramielle. It was very nice and relaxing and I am glad we weren't sick this time. {last visit before Thanksgiving was when all three of us caught a stomach bug. ugh!}

Papa, Ava, and the tickling reindeer

One of the neighborhoods in The Woodlands has an amazing display of lights so we parked the car and walked around.

Papa, Me, Ava, Gramielle, Uncle Lance (Lauren's son)

Swap camera men so Mikey could be in the picture

This is a glimpse at how some of them decorated their houses. Yeah, I know!

Ava was so tired, this might have been the day when her napping became little to non existent, but she held in there.

While we are on the subject of napping/sleeping, let me make note that at Papa and Gramielle's was when we discovered how to CLIMB OUT of the pack n play. As you can imagine, this threw Mikey and I for a loop, because she has never slept with us in our bed and we were out of town so there wasnt a whole lot we could do. Our solution was to hunt down a large sleepsack {a wearable blanket that zips for those that dont know} and just put her in that when she sleeps so she can't put her leg over the side and climb out. It has kept her from escaping her pack n play and crib but ever since then she has slept poorly and has even started waking up crying in the middle of the night. I dont know if the waking up has to do with all the traveling we have been doing or if it is the sleepsack but either way little sister you're wearing that sleepsack till we are ready for you to be in a toddler bed, which I plan on dragging out as long as possible.

The weather was so nice while we were there so we spent a lot of time outside and walking around the garden.

The night before we left we exchanged gifts.

Ava made each of the grandparents a special stepping stone for their gardens with her handprints.

Ava recieved lots of gifts

Including these cupcakes that she thought were real and wanted to taste

Poor thing was so disappointed

Papa fried a turkey for our Christmas feast

Lance was so sweet with Ava, always talking to her and engaging with her. You would never know that he is a strict drill sergeant in the army! Kids sure know how to bring out the soft side in men!

From here we traveled to Beaumont for Christmas with Gigi and Bpop. Part 4 coming soon!

Christmas Part 2- Good Friends

One of the main reasons we started our Christmas vacation early was to get to spend some time with our friends Aaron and Chelsea and meet their baby Whitley, whom we have never met. Aaron and Mikey are best friends from high school and were each other's best man in their weddings. Chelsea and I clicked instantly and have become good friends as well. They live in Alpine, far West Texas, and we dont get a chance to see them very often. When we found out that they would be in The Woodlands the weekend before Christmas to visit Aaron's mom we jumped at the chance to see them and finally meet Whitley. Can I just say she.is.precious.

Whitley was so sweet with Mikey. She just snuggled up against him and fell asleep.

Although there is a big age difference (at least at this stage) the girls played nicely together

Ava loved this car that Mrs. Burbach had at her house for the kids to play with. {hint to grandparents, this would be a great gift for Ava to play with at your house when we come to visit}

We are so glad that we finally got to meet this lil cutie!

Later on that day we also went to visit the Burkharts. It had been so long since Ava and Bekah had played with each other so we made sure to spend a few hours with them. Zack and Mikey have become such good friends too, they talk more on the phone with each other than Jenny and I do, so spending time with some of our best friends could not have been more enjoyable!

Always fashionable and accessorized Bekah was the perfect hostess along with her mommy and daddy.

She let me wear a pair of her sunglasses since Ava wasn't so much interested

Bekah's fun toys, like this rocking horse, was what she was after

It wasn't long before we were outside swinging in the backyard

And since being outside was so much fun we decided to take the girls on a wagon ride to the park.

The girls noticed all the Christmas decorations along the way and were actually much more excited about it than their faces show.

Sweet friends. They were so happy to play with each other.

You don't get any sweeter or greater a family than these three right here

The girls were laughing and smiling the entire time they were swinging beside each other

So the dads wanted to join in on the fun

When we got home we ate a delicious dinner that Jenny had prepared for us, on her Christmas plates and all!

And after dinner we thought we would squeeze in a quick bath before we had to leave. Can you tell these two were a little anxious for bathtime?

Splishin and splashin in the tub!

Thanks Burbachs and Burkharts for letting us be part of your day!! We enjoyed our visits with each of you!

Christmas Part 1

Our Christmas vacation started about a week before Christmas when we traveled to The Woodlands. We stayed with Papa and Gramielle but while we were there my mom, Bri, and Alli came for a short visit as well. We met up at my aunt Lisa's house and had an early Christmas since we would be with Mikey's side of the family this year for Christmas. Even though it was short I am so glad that I got to see them and exchange gifts with them face to face.

My mom wanted a picture with her girls

Ava opened up all her presents

Bri opened up her gifts from me too including a picture frame I made her

I made one for Aunt Lisa too

Ava got an Elmo potty book and a princess potty. I'm not ready to potty train yet but these will help us think about it more.

I etched an "a" and "g" on beer pints for Alli and Greg.

Ava and Bri playing games on Bri's phone

After gifts we walked around the neighborhood to look at lights. Ava had to get a closer look and walked right up to all the decorations. We even caused some neighbors to come out of their houses because they saw the flash from the camera and wondered what was going on.

Stay tuned for part 2, 3, and 4!