Christmas - Round 2 in Austin

After Christmas, Gammy and Pops came down to celebrate with us. Brooks got a tennis racket and Delaney got a kitchen and some pots and pans. Brooks loved his racket and practiced with Chad right away. He hit it almost every time. I'm really surprised that we haven't broken anything in our house considering all the soccer balls kicked and baseballs hit and now tennis balls flying through the air.

The next day Gammy and Brooks practiced playing tennis in the yard and Laney practiced cooking some yummy soup in her kitchen (after Chad spent 2 hours putting it together.)

Happy Birthday Jesus!

The boys (Brodie and Brooks) worked so hard to make a birthday cake for Jesus. And they were SUPER excited to sing Happy Birthday and eat some cake (can you tell?). I found this idea for a cake and pinned it right away. Every layer of cake and color of icing represents a part of our salvation. It was so cool because Brodie knew the Gospel Fuzzies song so he sang it for us so we could hear what each color stood for. Brooks attempted to sing along. I think this cake will definitely be our official birthday cake each year!

TuTu Cute

Sometimes I look at Delaney and I can't believe how I'm dressing her. I never imagined myself putting my little girl in bows or anything frilly...but it's just too stinkin' cute! I can't help myself. For Christmas Delaney's teacher got her a little tutu and made her a Christmas tree shirt (she's really talented with the sewing machine). Delaney was the cutest little toddler on Christmas Day. She's always off exploring by herself.

Laney loved opening the boxes, even though they were all empty.

She is really getting confident walking around. She also enjoys walking around while growling...this would be the face that she's making below.

Nobody told her that girls in tutus can't play football - so she just joined right in!

Another attempt at a cute picture. It's alright. Brooks never looks at the camera and Laney never wants to sit still. But I still just love this picture: That's such a classic "Brooks" face and it just warms my heart to see Laney laughing with her brother.

Christmas Morning

What a wonderful morning we had with family. It wasn't overwhelmed with presents and wrapping paper, but it was just a great time spent with family, a few presents to help celebrate Jesus' birthday, and even a short church service in the living room...it was perfect. Daddy brought Laney down to celebrate first thing in the morning.

Brooks had fun opening his stocking. He was so excited over every little thing.

Laney worked hard at pulling out all her goodies from her stocking.

Birdie and Scoops got Delaney a crib and highchair for her babies. She was so excited. I wish I could have gotten a better picture of her face.

My Dad (Grandpa) got Brooks some Lincoln Logs...classic! I foresee hours of building with these. I think Chad might be just as excited as B.

The kids were super excited to open the last door of the advent calendar. I decided that every year I'll put candles for Jesus' birthday cake in the 25th box. The boys thought that was pretty cool. It also reminded them that they needed to decorate Jesus' cake. The boys got right on it. Check out their intense faces.

Brodie got a flag football set so the boys tested it out in the driveway. The Hoffman boys vs. The Scott boys.

And of course Brooks had to take Laney for a stroll in the truck. I think she's going to ask for a truck when she turns 16.

Christmas Eve

We went to a noon Christmas Eve service. The church was pretty crowded and it was raining, so they had a bus service taking people from their car to the church. Brooks and Brodie thought that it was the coolest thing. And don't they just look adorable in their matching vests?!

Spending time with Birdie and Scoops.

After nap time we changed and prepared for our nightly Christmas Eve activities. We attempted to take a family photo.

Laney never went anywhere without her beads.

Sneaky girl was trying to look in the advent boxes.

Brodie (who is 5 by the way) read to Birdie and Brooks before bedtime.

Count Down to the Big Day

Instead of exchanging gifts with cousins this year, we got together to celebrate in a new way. Each family donated money to a ministry and the kids all got together and shared where they decided to give money. It was a neat experience for the kids to talk about giving during the Christmas season. It's a new tradition that we're excited to continue and expand on each year.

After spending time at the Hancock's house, we headed south for Corpus. As soon as we walked in the door Birdie put the boys to work in the kitchen making some yummy cookies. She gave each boy a cute apron to use as well.

We spent some time looking at Christmas lights in the neighborhood.

Laney LOVED riding around in the truck with Brodie.

My Winter Toddler...

...all ready for a little walk outside with Mommy.