Christmas 2012 - A Week with Family

I had such a hard time finding the Christmas spirit ahead of time this year.  I finally found it in Iceland when I started shopping there and then the first week home, we had to finish shopping and get everything shipped.  Whew --- I cut back a ton this year -- not even any cookies.  What is up with that?





We did get the house decorated a few days before Christmas and we were actually ready for the day when it arrived along with our guests.  We had decided to add red to the mix on the tree this year and I love the way it turned out.



We spent the early afternoon at A Tuba Christmas at Thanksgiving Square in Downtown Dallas.  There were over 150 musicians.  The park was packed and the music was kept very spiritual.  Jingle Bells was the only secular song played.  It made for a very nice start to Christmas Eve and certainly set the tone for me.

Cass and Scott arrived in the afternoon for our Tomato Bisque ritual and I had made fresh bread for it earlier in the day.  Yummy.

They did a sleepover and so were here Christmas morning and guess what ---- It snowed again!!!  Woohoo.  That makes the second time it has snowed when they have been here. Too funny.

Christmas morning was fun and yes, Santa had arrived.  We were able to have a little fun together sharing gifts and stories.




We had our traditional Christmas dinner and Mister's prime rib was amazing as always.  Didn't the table look so pretty all in red and white?  I had great help from Cassie as you can tell.

We ended the day by the four of us going to a movie after which Cass and Mister found some time to play and then Scott and Cass headed home.








The day after Christmas Jen and family came up to spend a few fun-packed days with us.  Cass and Scott drove back over for the first day and we all had another Christmas  with  gifts, fun, and messes everywhere.  It was a great time and we made a ham dinner and relaxed for the evening.










The next day we spent the day at the new Perot Science Museum, but not without "surprising" the boys with a stop to get haircuts, what fun. I had to do a before/after of each one.

We were not sure if they were happy or sad to see the hair go.  Saw some frowns and some smiles -- best comment came from Jacob -- "My hair looks good no matter what."  LOVE IT!

We ate at Texas Land and Cattle for a late lunch/early dinner, and that evening we all went to Urban Air trampoline with the kids (and Mom) jumping until they were exhausted.



I had to work the next day and it was Mom Hayter's birthday, so we headed off and Jen and family went to freeze their little backsides off at Six Flags and then head home.  They are tough Texans!