Thanksgiving Eve we had a wonderful dinner with my family at my mom's house. We all celebrated early because Thanksgiving morning we flew out to El Paso for an extended holiday weekend. The kids were excited to see Grandma and Grandpa Vara (and Uncle Michael too!). We had a great time visiting with family and catching up with friends.
Jackson enjoyed his sink baths...
and munching on pears...
and getting hugs from Grandpa
We also met up with Zeke who is 5 weeks younger then Jackson at one of our favorite restaurants, Cattleman's Steakhouse. Zeke is a cutie and so laidback, opposite of Jackson! Haley really liked playing with Zeke too.
Jackson was playing so hard he decided he couldn't hold up his bottle anymore.
And Haley loved playing peak-a-boo with Zeke
Matt's good friend Eric and his daughter, Matt's Goddaughter, Elysia also joined us. We can't believe how big she is getting and how beautiful she is. She was the precious flower girl at our wedding!
Haley has lots of fun in her fort Grandpa built her. Grandma was hanging out inside and wait, who is that coming through the window?
Dusty! What are you doing? Dusty is old and very sick with cancer but really enjoyed the kids. I'm glad he got to experience some fun in his final days...
Hey, if Dusty can climb in through the window, I can come out of it. Haley had a blast.
A few hours before we left we had a BBQ at the house and Zeke came over again. I think Jackson is showing him how to get in trouble...
We had a great visit to El Paso and can't wait to see Grandma and Grandpa in a few weeks when they come visit us for Christmas.
And now....the Christmas card. Every year at Christmas we have taken the kids to get Christmas pictures. 2 of the last 4 years they have been good, but I've never used it for the Christmas card. So this year we saved us the frustration of pictures at the mall and decided to take our own Christmas pictures of the kids. It was...well....fun and adventurous at the same time. We took over 200 photos and managed to get a few good one.
We started off in the house which was a great idea until Haley gave Jackson a hug, pulled him backwards and BAM...right on his head. Our picture taking was almost over before it started...
Then we moved out to the front porch and managed one with both kids looking
Then off to the park near our house.
We managed a good one of Jackson! One of my favorites to date of him. And yes, this made the card.
And a solo of Haley. She was being silly but this also made the card
Flying in the trees with Dad
Oh and look at that precious smile!!!
Most of the time the kids were not listening. I love Matt's face in the background as the kids ran off.
So I tried to coral the kids. Same problem. We could only manage to get 1 kid looking at a time :)
Sometimes we just let them play. I love their smiles.
And then we would make them pose. This one made the card too...love it!
After the park we headed to the golf course across the street. We got a great picture with Daddy. This is one of my favorites too.
By now the kids were done. Haley was more interested in "hugging" Jackson then taking pictures. Jackson was not impressed.
But he began to fight back...
Jackson's getting the upper hand...
And he's free!!!
Payback time. Jackson almost out weighs Haley so it's just a matter of time when he figures out he can sit on her. I do love this picture. They both had the biggest smiles taking these.
Then off to the park near our house.
We managed a good one of Jackson! One of my favorites to date of him. And yes, this made the card.
And a solo of Haley. She was being silly but this also made the card
Flying in the trees with Dad
Oh and look at that precious smile!!!
Most of the time the kids were not listening. I love Matt's face in the background as the kids ran off.
So I tried to coral the kids. Same problem. We could only manage to get 1 kid looking at a time :)
Sometimes we just let them play. I love their smiles.
And then we would make them pose. This one made the card too...love it!
After the park we headed to the golf course across the street. We got a great picture with Daddy. This is one of my favorites too.
By now the kids were done. Haley was more interested in "hugging" Jackson then taking pictures. Jackson was not impressed.
But he began to fight back...
Jackson's getting the upper hand...
And he's free!!!
Payback time. Jackson almost out weighs Haley so it's just a matter of time when he figures out he can sit on her. I do love this picture. They both had the biggest smiles taking these.
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OK Mom and Dad, we are DONE
OK Mom and Dad, we are DONE
I couldn't pick just one photo so I did a collage photo card this year. It was lots of fun taking pictures of the kids but I don't think we'll be doing it again anytime soon. Whew, what hard work!
The kids are getting ready for the Christmas program at school this Friday. It will be the first official party of the Christmas season. We are excited and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!
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