Sunday, December 20, 2009

A Gingerman House

That's what Ella calls a gingerbread house. We made one with Grambi. I applied the icing, and Grace decorated it with candies and marshmallows. She liked making patterns with the Christmas lights and was so meticulous. I thought Ella would assist with the decorating, but she just ate all the goodies. She didn't put a single candy on our gingerman house and instead took them off as quickly as Gracie put them on. She got her fill of sugar, and then she was done. Ahh, good times.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

ICE

We had another fun Christmas outing on Friday, as we ventured out to the Gaylord Texan to see ICE. This year's them was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. We've watched the movie at least a hundred times in the last two weeks, so we were pretty confident that the girls would like it. I think Travis and I were the most impressed. It's just incredible that all of it was actually carved out of ice in 30 days! I couldn't make those things out of Play-Doh in a year.

Grace thought it was neat, but complained about the cold. It was a chilly 9 degrees in there! Ella didn't have much fun and clung to my hip the whole time. Sweet Sutton was the only one who didn't complain.

The girls' favorite part? Cruffles a/k/a cake truffles and watching the "old one Grinch movie." They also enjoyed the big penguins and the giant gingerbread house. So fun and definitely good for the Christmas spirit!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

A Long Weekend Wrap Up

We had another fun weekend filled with Christmas fun. On Friday, we traveled outside the "loop" to see the giant snow globe and Santa at Willow Bend. The girls were very excited before we got to the train station part. Surprisingly, I was able to keep Ella out of the fountain.
Once inside, Ella insisted that I hold her, but Grace had fun pulling the lever and the rope on the train whistle.
Next stop was the enormous snow globe, where it was actually snowing inside! Too fun, even if it was super messy and stuck to everything.
Sutton was unimpressed. I think Travis felt the same way.
The final stop was Santa, but they wouldn't let me take pictures. I knew better than to pay for pictures, and I'm glad I didn't sign up for that, because neither Grace nor Ella wanted to sit on his lap. We just had a little visit, and Grace again explained that she wants a "pink real guitar." Ella didn't have much to say to him, but kept telling me, "I no want Santa Cwause. Let's go home!"

So, we didn't stay there long, but instead had ice cream sundaes at Sonic.
Sutton was clapping he was so excited to be out of the stroller.
On Saturday, we made Christmas angels with their little hand prints.
Sutton was napping during craft time, but was in such a playful mood afterward. My caption for this photo is: "Dear Santa, can you please bring me a ball that isn't decorated with Disney Princesses? Seriously, my sisters have at least five of them."
Grace has been practicing dribbling a basketball and insisted that I take this picture. Notice her tongue--this is a classic Grace sign of concentration.
Here's a picture to show that things aren't always smooth sailing around here. Ella was throwing a fit because I wouldn't let her chew on the golf set flag. Oh, poor baby.
She cuddled up in Sutton's lap, which was just too sweet. He must have made her feel better because her tears dried up quickly after that.
On Saturday evening, we headed to a Blizzard Beach Bash for our friend, Presley's, 2nd birthday. Yes, we went swimming in December in 40 degree weather! Thankfully, it was an indoor heated pool, and everyone had a blast. Grace was a little fish. Ella seems to have forgotten everything she learned in swimming lessons. And, Sutton wore himself out splashing around. This was the only picture I got.
After the party, we drove around looking at Christmas lights and listening to Christmas music. I really need to post a video of Ella saying, "Ho! Ho! Mewy Cwismiss!" We heard it at least a hundred times, and then it turned into, "I no want Mewy Cwismiss. Go home!"

We had a wonderful morning at church singing carols and visiting Baby Jesus. After brunch, Sutton went down for a nap, but the girls were itching to get outside and enjoy the first sunshine we've seen in several days. Ella paraded around in some high heels first.
After naps, we headed to the park to enjoy more of the nicer weather. It wasn't nearly as warm as the forecast predicted, but we still had fun sliding,
swinging,
playing hopscotch,
Grace yelling at Ella to "hey, get off of me!",
and Ella having the best time.
On our way back, Ella stopped to visit Santa and "Fwosty Snowman." She gave Santa and big kiss and said, "Santa Cwause. I wuv you." Too sweet. She told Frosty, "Hey snowman. I push your buttons!"
Grace wanted her turn, so we made a second visit and Santa and Frosty got more love from these sweet girls.
Sutton was perfectly happy just riding in the jogging stroller.
He waited until we got home to be mischievous. First stop? The Christmas tree. That little smirk on his face cracks me up.
Don't these two just look like they're up to no good?
It was a great weekend, even though the Cowboys lost :(