Christmas Eve 2016

This year we decided to celebrate Christmas on the Dudley side on December 23rd.  It just worked best for all of our busy schedules.  Turns out, it was a blessing, because the Parks family would end up being in the hospital with baby Arleigh from the 23rd until....(they are still inpatient).

Anyway, more on that later.

We decided to do 'snacky things' for our dinner instead of something fancy.  The kids seem to do so much better with a more relaxed meal time setting.

Eli was enjoying some quiet time with Meemaw

Eli was VERY interested in the baby the entire day.

Sorry kid, it ain't happenin' for this family.

We all received very thoughtful gifts and enjoyed everyone's company.

The kids all loved the new bean bag chairs from Meemaw

Mags and Colin got Star Wars sheets for their beds

A random gift but totally fun one is the Etch a Sketch - they have been having a blast with them!

Gordy got some 'Nanoculars' - so fun!

Arleigh just hung out -  she's such a good baby!

Colin's fun glasses holder

Eli's sweaty post-nap hair, opening up his gifts

Gordy was reading Eli one of his favorite books

Such a fun toy (if you couldn't tell from Brian's expression!) :)

And one last picture of the Dudley side cousins before they had to leave.
This was the best I got.  

We went to Christmas mass on Christmas Eve downtown - It was packed, but we get there super early to make sure we have a good seat.  Eli stayed with Grammie and Granddad so we could actually enjoy the mass rather than worry about a noisy 1 year old.

Afterwards, I attempted family pictures in front of the tree...

Testing out my camera placement - they are so cute!

The best one I got

And an outtake...  Eli was not having it!

The kids got to open up their pajamas - they are so adorable!

We set out our cookies and carrots

Had one last discussion with Buzz the elf before he left for the year

Super excited to get to bed!

Christmas Eve is so magical!

Visiting Santa 2016

We went to visit Santa last week at Crown Center.

And, as per tradition, we went out to dinner afterwards.  This year, we headed to Jack Stack.  Brian just loves that place.  The kids did a great job with eating the bbq.  We only had one problem, named Eli, that just didn't want to sit still for dinner.  He's at that 'get up and move' stage that makes restaurants, church, etc very difficult.  But, we had a great time during our rather quick meal out.

Eli did great on Santa's lap, and I just love this picture because Eli is obviously staring trying to figure out who this guy is, and the kids are so excited to see how Eli would do.

The kids gave him their lists of Christmas gift ideas.

Colin's included: a Wii U, and some Wii U video games such as star wars and mario brothers.

Maggie's list had: a gift card for some new play makeup and a makeup bag to hold it all.

She just loves putting on a little (sometimes too much!) blush and lip gloss.

Eli didn't have a list, and will likely get toys retrieved from our basement storage.  Win win for everyone

A little blurry, but Santa was making sure the kids always listened to their Mommy and Daddy.

and as usual, the kids do their 'fist bump with flying reindeer' handshake with Santa.

We love going to Crown Center during the week, as there is usually little-to-no lines and the Christmas displays are so fun to look at.

Next up: decorating our Gingerbread house!

Dudley Thanksgiving day

So I realize it's practically Christmas, but I do have some pictures to post from our  Dudley Thanksgiving celebration.  We had a separate Teson Thanksgiving the day before, but for some reason, didn't have my phone out taking pictures.  It was full of hustle and bustle, and as always, Grammie and Granddad know how to have a wonderful gathering!  The Texas Teson's were here and the cousins had so much fun playing together.

Random picture - Brian got some of the backsplash done just before Thanksgiving (and the rest was done the week after), but I snapped this picture to show our freshly painted kitchen cabinets (white uppers, gray lowers), with our backsplash and granite.

We think it looks fantastic...

Now on to Thanksgiving...

Brian and Chad did the turkey fryer - it tasted delicious and was a nice alternative to the usual oven turkey.  So much fun!

Eli loves crawling in and out of Moose's kennel (covered in dog hair, of course!)

Colin and Gordon had a blast playing, they were gone for quite some time just playing together in the basement.

Meemaw had a great idea to do kid-decorated cupcakes instead of the traditional pies and such.  They had so much fun being creative with their toppings and they turned out great!

A quick taste-test

I love how Gordy is grinning at the two of them - so sweet!

The finished products!

Eli napped for the majority of the time we were eating (he was fighting off a cold!), but he got some fried turkey, too!!!

our newest sweet little niece

Okay, so I am dreadfully behind on this post, but am so excited to announce the arrival of our sweet, cutie patootie niece named Arleigh Jean!

She arrived in whirlwind fashion on November 1st (just one day past her due date, one that I never thought Tiff would make it to!)

So cute, and to this day, prefers to have her hands right up next to her face when she's resting

Proud parents!!

Love this adorable picture of Gordy and his baby sister

Meemaw's newest love

My whole family was able to make it down to Belton to meet Arleigh that next weekend.  We timed our visits between soccer games, but it was so nice to see her and hold squishy Arleigh.

Maggie especially loved holding her

Girl talk, you know.

So comfy in Meemaw's arms

Meanwhile, the boys were being boys...

and I was awkwardly snuggling the babe...

Love this cute picture Tiff sent me a couple weeks ago...

We love you Arleigh Jean, welcome to the family!

Maggie's first dance recital

Maggie had her first dance recital last weekend, it was so much fun!

She had rehearsal on Thursday night and did fantastic, I was so proud of her.  I asked if she was nervous to get on the big stage, and she said, NOPE!

 The smallest one up there, of course :)

All dressed up and ready to go.

This girl and her makeup - she was more excited to get to wear red lipstick than anything else I think.

Backstage- waiting for the show to start

 And after the show was over, they brought everyone out to take a bow.

We got lucky and were able to sit in the 4th row, so she could see us really well.

 We gave her some flowers and balloons!

 Even her cousins made it to cheer her on!

 We were so proud of her!

 Gordy and Maggie were checking out the swimming pool outside of the theatre, dreaming of warmer days!

 She loves her cousin Gordy!

The boys watching the show (they HAD to share a seat!)

And for those of you that would like to see about 1 minute and 25 seconds of some cute dancing...