Christmas Part One and Part Two

We had an incredible week of celebrating Christmas with our families. It was a very relaxing and fun time. Clara is such a fun age to celebrate with that it was fun to experience everything with her this year. We actually celebrated four different times this year - with my family, with Adam's brother, with Adam's parents and with just the three of us. Each time was wonderful. I was not very good this year with taking pictures because I was too busy enjoying it all but I wanted to share the few pictures that I took.

The weekend before Christmas we drove up to my parents house to celebrate with them, my sister's family, and my brother's family. My parents surprised Clara with her first dollhouse complete with all the furniture and a family that includes a Mommy, Daddy, a Clara, and a baby brother. Too cute! We had a great time playing with the kids and eating a yummy dinner, too. My Dad actually was a little better at taking pictures - check them out.

On Christmas Eve, we met Adam's brother Derek, Jenn, and their sweet baby Harper (who is almost 4 months old!) for a yummy Mexican lunch. It was wonderful to see them and catch up. It was especially fun to cuddle little Harper for a while. While I forgot to pull out the camera to take pictures while we were with them, I did remember to take a few afterwards while we were waiting for Adam to bring the car around. While we were eating, it began to snow. It was gorgeous (well, with the exception of the 50 mile an hour sustained winds.) Clara was super excited so we played for a mere three minutes because it was so cold!

Christmas Part Three

Our third Christmas celebration actually started on Christmas Eve when Clara and I made cookies for Santa. Can I just tell you, they were delicious! Santa loved them so much, he only left crumbs!

We all know that Santa is a huge Texas Tech fan so we are always sure that we leave out a Tech plate with some yummy goodies for him and the reindeer...

Since we don't have a chimney, we left out an extra key for him on the porch so he could get in...

We woke up to a very white Christmas (Adam and I couldn't remember when the last time that happpened!) Clara was so excited that Santa came and brought her so many fun things! She went straight for the stockings (well, not until after she ran to her room to find a Christmas book with pictures of stockings that Santa had filled).

Santa brought Clara a very special baby doll with a cradle, along with clothes, diapers, food and a bottle for the baby...

She got a very special tea party set that we have enjoyed on daily basis...

And, most exciting of all, the one and only thing she wanted for Christmas - a Lollipop...

as big as her face!

After presents and breakfast, we ventured out into the snow for lots of playing. We got almost three inches and it was super powdery - fun for playing, but not the best for making a snowman. We made the most of it and had a blast with making angels, snowball fights and making the tiniest little snowman. Adam made Clara a sled out of a cardboard box and rope and it proved to be the greatest way to enjoy snow. Enjoy the slideshow below!

Christmas Part Four

This past weekend, we drove out to Hideaway to celebrate and spend time with Adam's parents and Grandma. It was very relaxing and we had a great time. Granny and Papa surprised Clara with several things but the highlight was a robe and a pair of rainboots (things that have literally not left her body since she got them.)

Future Red Hat Society Member:

Playing Papa's new Wii...

Ready to look at Christmas Lights

While I have no actual shots of looking at Christmas lights or of the friends we went with, I have a couple of pictures of Clara before. Clara was so excited to go that she was jumping up and down. We had a great time and the weather was gorgeous, about 65 degrees. We drove around with the windows down a majority of the night. And, yes, I know you are wondering, those are her slippers over her footies.

Santa's Village

We visited Santa's Village last night. It was the last weekend that it was open and we were so excited we didn't miss it this year. It is essentially a little village at our local library with little activities in each house. We got there early so we could see Santa arrive on a fire truck.

Waiting for Santa...

He arrived!

Dancing to Christmas music:

Enjoying Hot Chocolate:

Getting a red Rudolph nose:

Sitting on a saddle in Rudolph's barn (notice the hot chocolate goatee):

Clara didn't waste another opportunity to remind Santa of her one request for Christmas, a Lollipop:

Microbrew the Second at 31 weeks

I had an appointment that was just supposed to be a belly and heartbeat check. It wasn't a typical visit. Between a measly half-pound weight gain, elevated blood pressure, elevated heart rate, anemia issues and a few other things, they decided to take a look at little man a little closer. Thank goodness he was perfect as could be, weighing a tiny 3 pounds. He has already dropped although we are still 7 weeks from delivery date - he is literally right on my cervix. Hopefully (although I am quite uncomfortable) he will hold on and stay snug to be as strong as possible.

SANTA CLAUS!!!!

We set out to visit Santa Claus a few days ago. Clara was super excited. We have been talking about it for weeks and she was more than ready to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas. On the way there, she was talking non-stop about his reindeer and carrots and cookies and the old jolly man himself.

We arrived a little early and the anticipation was killing her. When he made his entrance, her jaw literally dropped. He came right up to her and gave her a high-five. That was it she was sold.

When it was our turn, she walked right up to him and he picked her up and all she could do was stare. He talked to her for a long time and finally asked her what she wanted for Christmas. Her reply: A Lollipop. He was a little surprised and said that should be an easy one. He then went on and said that she deserved a few more things because he knew that she was a good little girl. (This is where I freaked out a little bit internally) He said the thing she needed most was a baby doll and a cradle. (What? - this must be the real Santa because he knew EXACTLY what he had already gotten her and it was already wrapped and ready to go. He was GOOD and he had a REAL beard. I had a tear in my eye as we said good-bye to him. Maybe I should have sat on his lap so he could tell me what he was bringing me!

Curious George Live!

So, this happened about a month ago but I just discovered the kooky folder I saved the pictures in and thought I would post it anyway for memories sake.


Clara is IN LOVE with Curious George and has been for quite a long time. Barney, Dora, you name it - it has come and gone, but George is her main man. I am actually surprised he is still such a big deal. Yes, he is awesome and one of the lesser annoying of the kid cartoons. And he is very educational. Which means I don't feel so guilty when I turn it on and go shower or something.


When I heard Curious George Live was coming to town I knew we had to be there. (Kinda like when I heard Bon Jovi was coming to town about seven years ago and I didn't bat an eyelash as I bought the tickets.) I got these tickets for us back in April and said a prayer that she would still be interested - thank goodness she was!

Bed Head

I honestly have not seen this kind of bed head ever on this kid. This is truly a work of art.

Micro-brew's Crib

Well, Microbrew the Second will not be sleeping on the floor. Clara's crib broke last spring and I was determined to find a crib that I liked without the drop-down side. We finally got around to ordering his crib. It arrived and we brought it home and it became a family affair putting it together. Of course, Adam did all the work with Clara and me handing him screws from time to time. I especially love the drawer on the bottom - how cool is that to store sheets and blankets? Our fabric also arrived today so hopefully we will have curtains and a bedskirt soon too!

Quick Trip to Hideaway

We made a quick trip to Hideaway to visit Adam's Parents a couple weeks ago. We had a great time. I was,once again,terrible at remembering to take pictures but I did take these, which are too sweet. Clara and Papa hanging out watching cartoons. Check out how they are sitting. Two peas in a pod - too cute!