Great Start to 2012

We could not think of a better way to start our new year than with friends in Austin. We had a great visit that included an adult only night on the town as well as ice skating the next morning.

I had just planned on Grace skating because the smallest size skate was 2 sizes bigger than Claire. Plus Steve wasn't skating for fear for falling and breaking something. But Claire was fit to be tied. She kept going to the area we had rented the skates wanting some. Steve couldn't stand it any longer and got her some too. Both girls LOVED it.

So Many Posts All Wrapped Up

Our Christmas adventures began with the school performances for the girls. Each girl's class performed as well as their ballet class. Claire had been sick most of the week leading up to the performance. Grace managed to get her out there, but it didn't last.

She was in Steve's arms before we knew it and we never could coax her back out.

Grace did awesome! We were so proud at how far she has come. She participated in each song and unfortunately my videos are too long to post.

The girls and I left after school and headed to Dallas to spend some time up there before Christmas. Grace was fine when we left Corpus Friday, but by Saturday wasn't feeling well. We ended up in the emergency room Sunday night for several rounds of breathing treatments. Because of that, I didn't get to do what I had hoped. That being visiting with friends in Dallas as well as exposing the girls to all that Dallas has to offer during the holidays.

We did get to go to the Safety Town holiday party before Grace got so bad. She got her face painted and sat in Santa's lap again.


Claire was not interested in these things, but did want to wear the fireman's coat.

We had a great Christmas with our Dallas family. The girls enjoyed grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.






Next stop, San Antonio where we celebrated with all Steve's family. We were all together to enjoy a great meal and time together.


(all the Vela cousins)

One of the highlights is the gag gifts. This year both the girls participated. Claire was so cute waiting for her turn literally on the edge of her chair.


Grace got to play elf and help Taylor pass out gifts.

And finally, home sweet home. We made it to town early on Christmas Eve to get Grace to the doctor before they were closed for the holiday. That night the girls opened up their new Christmas pajamas, made cookies for Santa, spread the reindeer food in the yard, and got the cheese out for Santa Mouse.




Christmas morning was awesome. Every year gets better and better. Grace's favorite toy that Santa brought was her scooter. She is all over the house and the lake behind our house on that thing. She calls herself "Rescue Girl" and will go on it to retrieve things for me around the house. It has been her preferred method of transportation going from room to room.







WHEW!!

Christmas Card Outtakes 2011 Edition

One of our most favorite (and STRESSFUL) days of the year is the day we take Christmas card pictures.

My anxiety is high hoping to capture the best shot with perfect clothes, hair, smiles, etc. Steve is hoping to just get it over with.


The girls always have something else in mind including fake smiles, laying on the ground, some mumblings and grumblings, and of course bribery.

The Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever

Our church held the annual Christmas pageant today. It is an event performed by all the kids in the church ages 3 through high school. Each age group holds a certain role in the pageant and the 3 year old role is that of the sheep.

During their part, they crawl down the center aisle to the front, sit up there during some of the speaking parts, then crawl back down the aisle.


I was a little nervous about Grace because the day started off with her not wanting to wear the black shirt and pants that she needed to wear under her sheep costume.

After a little bribery, she consented and off we went.

During the part of the pageant before hers, I still had my doubts about her carrying through. But surprisingly, she did it! And looked like she had fun doing it as well. We were all so proud of her!!

We enjoyed the pageant so much more with her in it. The girls enjoyed the candle they got to hold (and blow out!).

My Girls are Exhausted! And Here is Why.....

We have been going nonstop. The girls sat on Santa's lap last weekend at a birthday party. Claire wanted nothing to do with him, obviously.

Claire did enjoy riding the train over and over again. This was a Polar Express theme party ( that is why the girls have on pajamas).

At another party, we explored nature at the local Botanical Gardens. The highlight was a butterfly release. Claire kept thinking they were going to bite her so she was skittish. But one loved Grace so much, it decided to hang out with her a bit.


And there were plenty of opportunities for candy with the pinatas.