Christmas Eve

Where has December gone??? It has been quite a busy month and it's hard to believe it's already Christmas Eve. One of our family traditions we do is to decorate a gingerbread house together. Since I had a ton of baking still to do, Brian took charge of the project.

I don't really know who's running the show....

I asked for a smile and this is what I got: "CHEESE!"

Oohhh lala...fancy little gingerbread house.

We also baked sugar cookies and set them out for Santa. Bella is really hoping he brings her a pink Barbie. Nothing else. Seriously, just a PINK Barbie.

Before bedtime, we read the "Elf on the Shelf" one last time and said goodbye to Buddy because he has to return to Santa until next year. She really has enjoyed this book and she's so excited in the mornings to find him in his new hiding places.

So, with the stockings hung by the chimney with care....

We can't wait for St. Nicholas to soon be here!!! Merry Christmas!

December Cookies & Trains

Since I have been slacking the last few weeks, this post will include a few different activities. It's been a busy...but VERY fun!....month for us. Bella and I hosted a book & cookie exchange for our toddler playgroup. The kids exchanged books while the moms exchanged cookies. YUM! (I didn't get many pictures because I must have been enjoying the cookies!)



We headed to Alvin for the 10th Annual Christmas Train presented by Victory Camp & Living Stones Church. http://www.victorycamp.com/ChristmasTrain.html



Bella & Brian really enjoyed looking at the village and trains set up.

We didn't wait the 2+ hrs to ride the train, but we still enjoyed all the lights & decorations.

Very cute gingerbread train...

Gingerbread house & decorations

Cake Boss and Santa in the House!

Last Friday (12/4), Brian entered his work's Christmas dessert decorating contest. He made red-velvet minicupcakes, mixed up green & brown icing, and piped (yes- he did it himself!) the swirl on each cupcake. He did have a little help- Bella was in charge of the green spinkles. Then he put on the finishing touches...red licorice, Hersey kisses, and cinnamon red-hots.

I was very excited to hear how he did....he got 2nd place! Yay! For those unfamiliar with the TLC show Cake Boss, you should definitely watch it. We are hooked....love that show!!!

Shelly (Brayden's mom) hosted a playdate with a visit from Santa! (It was her older son, Grayson, dressed up but Brayden was the only kid to catch on to that). And Bella was just like she was with the Easter bunny, she wasn't going near Santa!

She's hiding behind Brayden and Aiden....

"Hmmm....whatcha got in your bag, Santa?"

Dewberry Farm

We went to Dewberry Farm (www.dewberryfarm.com) for the first time and we had a GREAT time! It is a great place to enjoy the fall activities, and we took advantage of the beautiful weather. Oma & Opa also joined us for some fun on the farm....country style.




Bella & Daddy lost in the corn maze

Opa & Oma in the corn maze

Bella playing in the 'corn crib'....it was about 2 feet deep!

She didn't like the corn getting in between her toes, but was fine to play once I put her socks back on.

Feeding the goat- she wasn't too sure about this.

After checking out the barn animals, it was time for a short break.

Bella on her first pony ride

Mommy & Bella

Daddy & Bella climbing in Fort DewHickey

Bella sliding down from Fort Dew Hickey

We had a little wait for the hayride to take us out to the pumpkin patch, so Bella decided to pop a squat on a pumpkin.

Opa & Bella on the hayride

Bella running through the pumpkin patch

Brian in the pumpkin patch

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween! Bella was dressed up as Abby Cadabby (Elmo's fairy friend) and loved it! The weather was gorgeous and slightly cool, which made for a perfect night of trick-or-treating. We celebrated with a potluck smash in our cul-de-sac, now known as the Annual Ravenna Rave.



Bella claiming her seat on the hayride....



A few friends celebrated with us too....Louise (Ms Weazy), Charley & Carson, plus Lauren, Nathan & Aiden joined us for the potluck and trick-or-treating. Aiden was a dragon and Carson was Wuzzby.



Bella LOVES Aiden (Idee), can you tell???




They held hands and were quite happy to see each other.


Off treking around together....

At 6pm, we headed to the lake area of our neighborhood for the Trail of Treats event and more trick-or-treating. Bella got the hang of opening her bag for candy deposits, but she wasn't too sure about talking to anyone at the door. It was her first time actually trick-or-treating and I know she loved it because she kept saying "No home, no home....CANDY!".

Her pile of candy is stashed away for future potty training rewards. Oh darn, she'll have to earn them all over again!

Halloween Playdate & Craft

Bella and I hosted a playdate today for our friends to celebrate Halloween! We made (4) different little craft projects...spooky house, ghost, spider web, and a pumpkin photo frame (not pictured).

Louise, Heather & Jenn working hard....

More playdate friends...Salma, Jen & Jennifer

And of course, sweet Bella....

Pumpkin Patch- Pearland

We are REALLY enjoying the cool, fall weather...so, of course we headed to another pumpkin patch. We met up with our playgroup and most of the kids wore their Halloween costumes. This year Bella is dressing up as Sesame Street's Abby Cadabby (Elmo's fairy friend).

In the next picture her eyes are shut because she's trying to show her blue eye shadow. Yes- this is the first, and probably only time, my 2 year old will wear makeup. She absolutely loved, loved, LOVED me using makeup on her!

Another favorite attraction at the pumpkin patch was the tractor. She was very afraid of it last year, but this year was a whole, different story....she didn't want to get off. Ever.

Pumpkin Patch- League City

The weather was so nice and cool that it was clearly time to head to the pumpkin patch! The local church (Bay Harbour Methodist) does an annual fundraiser that helps their youth program and also helps the Navajos in northwestern NM, so we try to buy our pumpkins from them.


The pumpkin patch was empty...so Bella had the run of the place! She ran from one area to the next in search of the perfect pumpkin.



She had to take a little break from all the running around...

She preferred the "bumpy" pumpkins

This pumpkin picking is hard work!

Yay- she finally found the little pumpkin she wanted!