Christmas 2011

I'm just now getting caught up, so here is a look back at Christmas 2011 at Pecan Bluff. So thankful for so much!

Christmas Eve
HA, HW, R, and S

Now, isn't this adorable?
The boys had the idea to build S a little table for her dolls.
They did it all by themselves and painted it pink.
 I am so proud of my little elves!
 And I am very thankful that their Daddy
 takes time to show them how to build things. 

Santa leaves apples and oranges in all the stockings and they are always a favorite.

R made lots of knitted toboggans for gifts. I'm so proud of  her!

"Wonder what's inside?"

"Thanks for the cap, R. I love it!"

The new gown her Big Sissy picked out.

Trying out the new tea party table.

Best buddies, looking forward to a game together later.

My sweet big girl. I still call her my baby, but that's just between you and me.

Christmas Salad

Our freshly picked salad greens from the garden, just in time for Christmas dinner!

I feel like I am learning so much about how we can best use every resource we have here at Pecan Bluff. Gardening year-round lets us have something fresh and wonderful to eat from the earth every single day of the year if we plan and work well. This is so much fun!

Wonderful Holiday Music

Our three eldest are musicians, and we enjoyed lots of great holiday music from them this season. They kicked things off with a concert at the convention center where the kids from their music academy played for shoppers at a beautiful charity fund-raiser. This was HW's very first classical guitar concert, and he did just great! He said he was a little nervous, but we couldn't tell it at all. All three looked like old pros. The music was lovely, as expected. R, HA, and HW, we are proud of your dedication and hard work to make beautiful music! And a big thank you to Gram and DDon for supporting our kids' musical dreams!

HA and HW concentrating

Taking a bow

You sounded great, guys!

R playing her beautiful music

R (center back) and some fellow violinists finishing up their performance

Christmas Trains at the Museum

We had so many wonderful times with family this month. Granny and Grandpa spent some time with us when they came down for a very special event in R's life (more about that in my next post!) and we all enjoyed our time with them. They took the boys and Mike to the children's museum to see the Christmas train display and everyone had a great time. S and I stayed home so she wouldn't miss the all-important nap time, but we heard all about their fun day when the boys got home. Thank you Granny and Grandpa for our museum membership ~one of the best gifts ever!

This smile says it all! HA loves him some trains. 

Grandpa treated everyone to lunch from Subway,
 and R was even able to join them
 during her lunch break from her special event.
 More later about where R spent her very long and productive day :)

Best buddies, with trains as far as the eye can see.

HA, Grandpa, and HW

S is always happy after her good nap

Merry Christmas!

Back row: HA, age 9  and R, age 13

Front row: HW, age 9 and S, age 3

Giving Thanks ~ Family

We are so thankful for all the people who love us and our children. There is a whole lot of love going on in our big ol' family, and we thank the good Lord for the blessing of each and every person.

We really enjoyed celebrating our early Christmas with Granny and Grandpa, Marla, Mandy, and Drew. As always, there was lots of good food (delicious tamales, compliments of Granny!) good fellowship, and good fun.  The house was full of laughter and love. We love you all.

"Thank you for helping me be a cowgirl, Granny!"

HW, S, Grandpa, HA

Since the boys are into Legos, Granny has become an expert.

Isn't this a beautiful Ethiopian doll for my beautiful dolly?

HA

HW and S

I love HA and R's faces ~ they were so excited for S when she opened her gift.

One of R's cute handcrafted gifts for Aunt Marla

HW

"See how cute I am, Grandpa?"

Fun!

More Merriment with Family

 

I managed to get the whole gang!

R's special present to Granny ~ a cozy blanket she made all by herself!

The boys can be found in this position most of the time now.

Some Christmas Fun

One good thing about living in the south ~ the trees keep their red color until Christmastime!

Baby S didn't know what all the excitement was about this season, but she enjoyed every minute!

 The kids had fun helping make these goody baskets to give to special people.