New Year's Evie

Look who woke up at the stroke of midnight (Eastern) to celebrate the new year with us!  Honestly, I can't think of a better way to ring in 2012. :)

Santa Makes a Special Trip to Dallas

Most people don't know this, but Santa doesn't just deliver gifts on Christmas day.  If you email him and let him know that Daddy has to work on Christmas, he'll make a special trip down to see you when Daddy gets a day off (assuming the kids have all been good, of course).  We so appreciate Santa's flexibility, and took full advantage of it this year, having our family Christmas on December 30 (personally, I think Santa enjoys extending the holiday a bit :).  Despite having to wait for it a bit, our Christmas was wonderful, and we felt so blessed to have our sweet little ones to share it with.

Santa left a wonderful spread of gifts around the tree on "Christmas" morning.

The basketball hoop was a huge hit--Charlie had to try that out as soon as he came downstairs.

One last attempt to get good Christmas morning photos, but the kids just were not into it.  I think the presents were too enticing. :)

Yay!  Daddy's home!

Charlie loved getting into the stockings.  He couldn't believe what riches were inside.  He even helped Evie with her stocking, but her gifts didn't interest him too much. :)

The garbage truck in Charlie's stocking was the hit of Christmas.  I really think he didn't need anything else.

Pensive little mouse...

Santa brought Charlie a Rody Pony, and it's so much fun.  Charlie was very anxious for Rody to get blown up.  Note to Santa: set gifts up beforehand next year!

"I bounce!  I bounce!"

Charlie loves carrying Rody around the house.  He kneels down, strains hard, says "Biiiiiiig," and picks him up. :)

Charlie loved his Christmas books.  We spent lots of time reading our new books this holiday.  Papa's book--"Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site"--is Charlie's new favorite all-time book.  He is particularly amused by the fact that the cement mixer has a "lovie"--this gets a laugh every time. :)  I highly recommend this book!

Evie got several "mouse" gifts, including "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." :)

Evie had quite the haul for such a little person!

Charlie's worst Christmas gift: a black eye. :(  He got a little excited while playing with his new presents and hit it on the coffee table.  Poor Charlie--he has had WAY too many bumps and bruises this holiday.  We are asking Santa for a helmet next year!

Sweet Evie enjoying our evening festivities with Papa, Ali, Sam, and Auga.

Charlie brought Rody in to join the party.

Papa is always ready to read.  These two love their books!

Charlie's car carrier from Sam and Auga is another new favorite toy.

The mouse bonded with Auga. :)

We saw this "surprise" face every time a gift was opened, immediately followed by an emphatic "out!" (meaning that we should get the toy out of its package as soon as possible).  Charlie was such a gratifying recipient! :)

Charlie got a new tee ball set from Papa and Ali.  We have had a blast with this.  I love how Charlie warns me with "Ready?" before he dribbles the ball off the tee. :)

Best Christmas present: a whole day with Daddy!

Post-Holiday Fun In Seguin

We were pretty busy with Christmas events while we were in Seguin, but we did get a little bit of time to relax and get outside.  My dad took us out to the ranch for a Jeep ride/hike one morning and it was so much fun.  The weather was gorgeous, and Charlie has not stopped talking about driving the Jeep.  It didn't hurt that we found a digger next to one of the oil wells...see below. :)

The happy Jeep riders.  Evie wasn't quite as thrilled with the Jeep ride as Charlie was, but she was a very good sport (she's hiding in Grandma Ali's arms in this pic :).

These two guys are best buds.  Charlie loves Papa so much.  He is so happy when Papa is around, and talks about him constantly when he's not.  When Charlie gets hurt or upset, we often have to call Papa to make it better. :)

Charlie was our little hike leader.  He ran the whole way out (and then got tired and Papa had to carry him the whole way back :).

Me and my babies.  I think they enjoyed their time out at the ranch!

Here's Charlie, doing what he does best: "rifing" (driving).  It is hard to get this boy away from a steering wheel once he gets ahold of it!

After the ranch, we headed home for naps and then met up with cousins out at the park (another "Big Bop").  Charlie had a great time running around with his cousins.  He was especially pleased with the football he found.

Charlie was dying for Jackson to play catch with him.  Luckily, sweet Jackson obliged. :)

Playing defense against Charlotte was not easy.  That girl is tiny, but tough!

Julia was a little monkey on the equipment.

The almost-birthday boy enjoyed his day at the park.

Evie relaxed with the ladies...

Here's Katie taking a quick break from the park.  She played hard!

Charlie was thrilled when Jackson did the slide with him!

We ended with some fun on the swings.  Charlie and Charlotte had so much fun together--I think these two will be great friends!

Loved our time with family over the holiday.  Can't wait to get back!