houston christmas

This year was Houston's turn for Christmas.  We arrived Sat. just in time for

the Happy Birthday Jesus party.  It was complete with a play, lunch and party favors.

Emerson as "Mary"

That evening, the kids opened up cousin gifts and stockings from Mimi and Papa.

The adults have a white elephant gift exchange.  It's always fun.

Just ONE of Mimi's beautiful trees. 

She starts decorating for Christmas on Oct. 31st.

On Christmas Eve, we went to church and then came home to 

prepare for the 19th annual Christmas Eve Bain party!!

Between 75-100 people come to this party every year.

It is so fun to see everyone there and catch up.

Liz - Bo's sister has been through a lot this year.  

She is an amazing person.  Truly.

Mimi and Ally

Hunter and "Yea Yea"- Lacy is Bo's oldest sister.

Christmas morning came EARLY after the party,

clean up and set up for the kids.

Hunter was the only one that slept in!

Some of his loot.

The girls waiting to come down the stairs.

Abby was excited to get McKenna.  

It's what she asked Santa for!

Ally is a NUT.  Love this girl.

Anna Jane is just precious.  Abby adores her

and fell right to sleep with her on Christmas Day.

Abby and her dolls.  Happy girl.

Merry Christmas!  These are just a few of the many pictures from a fun weekend in

Houston.  The kids loved having the cousins to play with and the two big parties

that Mimi threw were incredible.  So blessed to celebrate the birth of our Savior again this year.

Christmas 2012

Hope your Christmas was full of crazies!  

parties, program and piercings

This week has been busy.  Abby had her class Christmas party on Wed.

It was a fun party with crafts, snacks, games and a book exchange.

Getting ready for the book exchange.

Thursday was her school Christmas program.  I couldn't believe that she actually got on the

stage, saw us and didn't come running down the aisle.  She did GREAT!

Abby had early release after her program so we headed down to the Galleria

(not the smartest idea 5 days before Christmas).  We got Caroline's hair fixed

(yes, they actually have chairs and people that do this) and got her

ears pierced.  It was actually pretty cute, but the best part was the

excitement and look on Abby's face.  She was in heaven.  Priceless.

Happy it's Friday!!!  

donuts and driving

Fun treat!

Last night Abby and I drove around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights 

and decorations.  It was a fun time with my girl as she just thought every

house was so neat and "cool".    I love her excitement.  I love that this time of 

year everything is so magical for her.  Everything is "cool" and she

has just loved all the Christmas things we have seen and done this month.  

As we celebrate for just another few days before Christmas I am 

reminded how precious life is.  How in a heartbeat things can change.

I am thankful for a God who is the same God always.  Who never changes.

May we remember HIM and the real reason for this magical time.

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Thank you Lord for this face.

north pole express 2012

This was our FOURTH year to ride the North Pole Express!  It is clearly one of those traditions that we do every December and today it was just as fun as the first year we did it.  The kids love to watch the show before the train ride and, of course, the highlight is always Santa coming through the train.

How I love our Christmas traditions! 

the last few days...

I am so thankful it is FRIDAY!

Hunter has been sick all week long.

I can't thank my neighbors enough for

taking Abby to school, picking her up, 

taking her to their house for play dates and bringing me

Diet Cokes and even lunch one day!

I am so thankful.

However.

I am about to LOSE it in this house!!!!

 All iphone pics but a few things we have been doing.

Sat on Hot Dog and Minnie while watching tv.

Lots and lots of tv.

Guess he got bored enough to hang out in the shoe basket.

Totally understand.  I could have crawled in there myself.

He didn't do a lot of sleeping this week unless we were in the car.

This was in the car headed to the dr for the second time this week.

It's Friday and he is much better.  He slept all night last night so that 

was a big improvement.  He needs about a 4 hour nap today.

Yeah, right!  : )   BIG TGIF.

gangnam style

This is what's making me laugh today.

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One of my favorite ornaments.

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Today we stayed in our pjs all morning.

The kids painted and colored on this roll of paper

and thought it was the best thing ever.

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Last night the Baylor gang had our Christmas dinner without kids. 

It was great fun as always.  Love this precious group of friends.

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This morning we had breakfast with Santa!

We had a great time with friends and we were happy that my 

mom could join us.  My dad was running the half marathon in Dallas.

We had another busy weekend. That is the theme of December, right?

My parents were here all weekend and my brother and his family were here Thursday

until Friday late afternoon.  The cold front is coming in as I type this and I am 

so happy about it!  It hasn't felt like December and I am ready for it to feel like

Christmas!  I am positive that in the morning it will for sure!

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Today David Lee White became a "real" member of the family.

We have prayed for him a long time.

We have waited for him a long time.

We have loved him for a long time.

But TODAY...he legally became "ours".

And we all raised our right hands and 

swore to "love him forever and ever and ever and ever".

December 7

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Singing snowmen.  We have three of them and Hunter thinks

he must make all three sing at the same time.

The songs are starting to sound pretty good together!  

December 5

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Today Abby wrote her letter to Santa and we mailed it.

December 4

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Just one of the many ways we count down to Christmas!

December 3

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I love the month of December.  There are so many fun things to do as a family to celebrate Christmas the whole month long.  Saturday we went to the neighborhood Christmas tree lighting.  It's something our neighborhood does every year and it is always lots of fun.

Abby got her face painted.

The kids talked to Santa.

We all got to ride the train.

There was cookie decorating.

The neighborhood Christmas tree was lit.

Today we decorated a gingerbread house.

We do this every year as well.  

Caught this guy stealing some candy.....busted.

These two worked hard.  This is another tradition we 

look forward to every year.  I love this month!

December 2

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Decorate a gingerbread house as a family.