Thank you!

We asked our guests to bring either a toy and/or a coat to donate to kids who may not otherwise get any presents for Christmas this year.  It's one of my favorite traditions about the Santa party and I really think it hits home with our kids about how others may not be so fortunate.

This year we donated them to the Garland Fire Department and they were so excited when we opened our trunk.  This picture doesn't really do it justice since all the toys are in the minivan with the never ending trunk space, but I assure you there were a lot! 

Thank you so much to all of our friends and family who donated. 
You helped make Christmas for lots of little kids this year.

Santa Came to Town!

Santa came to town a week early last night and stopped at our house!  We had our annual Santa Claus party and I really feel like I enjoy it more and more each year.

This year we had some new kids attend the party--Maria brought her nephew and neice and we were so glad.  Jackson and Shane had a blast together and wrestled each other all night! 

Big thanks to this crew for all of their help before the party started.  The four grandparents also were a big help--I think at this point they were probably wrangling the kids:)

This year we set up some crafts in the Reindeer Gameroom (aka our study).  The kids enjoyed coloring a Santa pic, writing letters to Santa and making cute Christmas tree crafts.  I wasn't sure how this idea would go over, but the craft room filled up very quickly! 

We were very thankful that our cousins from Houston were able to come in for the party.  Madison loved playing with the Michetti girls so much.

After most of the families had arrived and it was dark outside, it was time to go find Santa Claus.  Maddie eagerly led the way!

I gave the kids jingle bell necklaces...

and they wore them around their necks while singing "Jingle Bells" as we walked down the street. 

Just as we had finished singing look who appeared down the street!  It really was like a scene straight out of a movie.  All the kids stopped dead in their tracks and just took in the moment.  Then they gained their composure and ran up to meet him.

"Hi Santa!!"

After Santa had greeted everyone, we headed inside for story time.  Just as he had sat down to read Twas the Night Before Christmas, he asked "where's Jackson?"  My shy guy reluctantly raised his hand and Santa asked him to come over to him.  Then Santa told him that he knew Johnny the Elf (our Elf on the Shelf)!  He said that Johnny had been reporting good things to him about Jackson and the girls just the night before.  His eyes were as big as saucers!

While Jackson was trying to wrap his head around the fact that Johnny was in tight with Santa, the kids all enjoyed the story.  After it was over, Santa talked to the kids for a few minutes and reminded them that he loves chocolate chip cookies and milk.  You could just see all of them making a mental note of that little fact.

 

Then it was time for the kids to hop on Santa's lap and tell him what they would like for Christmas.  This sweet girl asked for an American Doll (her cousins brought theirs so that's where she got it, I guess!)

I'm pretty sure this was the biggest hug Santa got all night:)

Love this so much--too bad sweet Lila was seriously scared of Santa this year.

Thank goodness she agreed to at least let me hold her near Santa!  It was a big step considering that the minute we encountered him outside she began saying "No! No!" 
She did make sure to be on the far side, though.

I'm so glad my family could all be at the party this year...

...and Jackson is thankful for the animal crackers that he got from Mrs. Claus.

Uncle Andrew declared it a "christmas miracle!" whenever Lila ran all the way across the dining room and into his arms:)

Daddy and I mingled separately most of the night, but we did get one sweet picture together with our youngest.

When it was time for our family pic with all of the Hays's, Lila reverted back to her "no!" phase.  He asked if she wanted to touch his hat.  Her answer?  "No!"  He asked if she wanted to feel his beard.  Her answer?  "No!"  Oh well, can't say he didn't try!

I'm so glad all 11 of us were able to come--we had the newlyweds on the left and one of the cutest couples I've seen in a long time on the right:)

After everyone had a chance to visit with Santa, it was time for him to get on back to the North Pole. 



With Santa gone we were able to visit with our friends a little bit more.  Many of our high school friends were here, which I think is so fun.  



Lila got to hang out with her buddy Sawyer...

and I got to hang out with my sister and cousins. 

By the end of the night Lila had really attached herself to Hannah's American Doll.  Oh my. 
Thank goodness a doll from Target will suffice for her right now. 

Thanks so much to all of our friends and family who came last night!  We loved getting to see all of you and hope you have a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas Carols

Today was a very big day in the life of J and M.  It was their much anticipated Christmas program! 

They both got to perform in it this year and were so excited all week about it.

Jackson's class went first, followed by Maddie's.  Both of them did great--too bad the music director was completely blocking Madison the entire time!  I finally moved to the aisle and got some video footage.  C'mon, music lady, can't you direct while standing on your knees?!

All four of the grandparents were in attendance today.  These are seriously lucky kids:)  After their performance, they had class parties.  Boom Pa visited with Maddie...

while Memaw made crafts with Jackson.  I floated back and forth. 

They both came home with lots of candy and treats, including this cute little Marshmallow Man! 
He's almost too cute to eat. 

Manicures with Maddie

Last weekend the hubby and I had two Christmas parties to attend.  I haven't had my nails painted in forever and Maddie has never been to a nail salon, so I thought, "why not?"

When I told her that we were going to get our nails painted she was so excited!

She paid very close attention to the nail tech and loved, loved, loved her light pink polish with silver glitter. Gotta love a fun girls afternoon:)

Getting up there!

This past weekend we celebrated Jared's birthday with the fam.  Yesterday was his actual birthday, so he is now officially 32 years of age.  Wow.  That is starting to sound old! 

Good thing we had lots of family there to keep the old man smiling!

Last night, the kids and I made lasagna and chocolate cake...there were smiles all around!  Lila literally had marinara sauce from ear to ear.  The girl loves her some meatsauce!



Happy Birthday, Dad!  Hope your day was great--we sure love you.

Lila told her daddy "Happy!" about 22 times last night.   (Sometimes she would make an attempt at "birthday") After that cake was served, though, she was the happy one!  She would say, "cake!," take a bite and say, "mmmm!"  She is loving her daddy these days--just don't ask her to choose between him and some cake:)

Smores and more

Tonight we went over to our friends house, The Brooks, for some good old family fun.  The kids loved playing on the swingset...

all three loved this swing...

 but only Maddie took me up on trying a smore.  She loved it!  And really, what's not to love?  Chocolate, graham crackers and a toasty, warm marshmallow holding it all together.  Yum!

After we enjoyed the smores and the kids ran around like rascals, it was time to head over to this awesome neighborhood train. 

J and I went last year and loved it, so we were excited to take the girls this year.  Maddie grinned from ear to ear the whole time and Lila just had a look of pure awe on her face.  Too cute.

We are taking family pictures tomorrow.  You think they're going to smile this nicely for them?  I sure hope so:)

Lila, on the other hand, is a total wild card.  If the mood does not strike her right, there's no hope for a sweet smile.  In this case, she could not be bothered to smile or even look at me.  Let's hope tomorrow morning she is feeling a little more generous!



Murphy Christmas Festival

Last night was the Murphy Christmas Festival.  Since it was nice weather and we love any fun community get together, we decided to go. 

The first attraction was the reindeer.  Two really cool reindeer.

I'm pretty sure that this was Prancer.



Then we thought we'd see what we look like as snowmen. 



Then we wrote a letter to Santa Claus.  It was the very last one they had, though, so Jackson and Maddie had to share.  We're pretty sure that Santa won't mind!  They both asked for new bicycles this year--Maddie wants a Princess one and Jackson wants a Batman one.  Let's hope that Santa can come through!

We asked Gigi to come along with us and she agreed, even though it was last minute.  We're so glad she did, though.

After we wrote our letter to Santa, it was almost time for the fireworks show to begin.  We found us a good spot on the lawn and got ready.

While we were talking about the fireworks, Maddie told Jackson that she might be scared.  He put his arm around her and said, "I'll take care of you, Maddie."  He's still sweet when he wants to be.

Afew seconds later the show began with a bang!  Since this tree was in our way, though, we quickly found another spot.

The show was great!  And very loud!  It was the closest that I have ever been to a fireworks show and I was afraid that Lila was going to be scared.  She loved watching it, though, and so did the rest of us.  What a fun way to kick off the holiday season!