Christmas 2019

We were able to go our friend's parents house for their Christmas Open House this year.  We were traveling last year.  They have had this party on the 23rd for more than 20 years.  

 We actually got dressed up to go somewhere, so Mason documented it for us. 

Katy had told me there would be a putting green set up in the backyard that all the boys would probably play with....it was a bit bigger than I had anticipated.  It was awesome and the boys never moved all night!

Santa was there!

There were so many people there.  Such a fun idea and I think it gets bigger and bigger every year.  They invite everyone they know!  We know where we will be next year on the 23rd!

Kids must've slept really hard that night because they didn't even wake up when their elves took selfies of themselves and left them on my phone!

The next day was Christmas Eve.  We decided to change up on menu this year.  

We did the traditional Texas tamales on Christmas Eve.  I made this posole soup in the crokpot, we had tons of tamales, and sides.  It was delicious!  

While that was cooking, I met my neighborhood friends on the corner for a cosmo before life got crazy Christmas Eve!  Such a fun tradition. 

Christmas Eve celebration. 

 We even had some carollers right before dinner!

Then it was time to open up our Christmas Eve jammies from Mickey Mouse and Pops. 

And they opened their gifts to each other. 

Then it was off to bed, but not before cookies for Santa. 

Santa came!

Brody's big ticket items were the Nintendo Switch and a Nakona glove. 

Mason got AirPods, a Boombah bag, and a new bat.  

(Brody is getting his bat bag with his team....he just doesn't know it yet!)

My favorite view.

Mason woke up first a few minutes before 6!

Fortnite robe for the win.  

We may have been the first family in America to have everything picked up so soon!

They both got football receiver gloves and haven't stopped playing in the backyard. 

John stated popping bottles of cheap champagne.

We were able to lay around and do a whole bunch of nothing for a little while, then we got dressed for dinner. We made our traditional beef tenderloin dinner.  We were so excited that Amy, Al, Lily, and Jack were able to come!  

 Love spending so much time with him. 

We made such a nice meal but I took zero pictures.  We had a great night eating and mingling with family though.  I did get this picture of the charcuterie board but thats it. 

It was a great Christmas!
We have sooooo much to be thankful for!

Last Weekend Before Christmas

I waited to get the boys' wellness checkups until they had both turned a year older (or I forgot to get Brody's done).  Either way, we went a couple of weeks ago and I forgot to jot down their height and weight:

Mason (10)   67.6 lbs - 4'7 tall

Brody (7)   51 lbs (after possibly having the Flu for a week)   4 1/2 ft

I am one of the room Mom's in Brody's class this year.  I said I could do either Mason or Brody's but not both.  We always have three room Moms per class so it isn't too bad!  We did a Candyland theme and it was so cute!

Lots of sweating and running around but it was fun. 

Mason's class party was the hour before Brody's which was the same time we were decorating the room.  I ran down there to try and catch a bit of it, but they ended early.  They decided to do the entire 4th Grade in the cafeteria since they are the oldest in the school.  I do think they had a blast playing games and then got to play outside the rest of the afternoon.

He did get to run down to Brody's room while we cleaned up and I did snap this picture. 

We have had some warm days and some cold days!  I love when they can play outside.  This was all the neighborhood kids burning off the sugar they ate from their Christmas parties!

We decided to celebrate my birthday the night before since I only worked a half day.  I was working a full day on my birthday and knew it was going to be INSANE at work.  And boy was it ever.

We had heard about a good Chinese restaurant in Southlake that I have been dying to try.  And it was absolutely delicious.  

They even had Dim Sum.  We just ordered a ton of random things and everybody shared (although John literally does not know how to do that.....he only wants to eat what he wanted to order.  Ha.).
Mason and Brody both loved the Dim Sum and each had two. 

This kid is the worst at eating at home but for some reason he loves Chinese food. 

 It makes us laugh.  

Friday was the first fun day off of school so the boys and I had a date at Kindred Coffee.  

Its our fav. 

We tried to do our 3rd annual Gaylord before Christmas trip.  It was definitely a bad idea.  Everyone in the state of TX was there.  We couldn't get a table at our favorite brunch place and the snow tubing line was extremely long BUT the kids had fun.

And weren't silly at all while waiting in line...

Mason was kind enough to hold his brother's tube for him.

 Pure joy.

 They took a few slides down and then we were out of there to grab some food.  We finally got to try Pappadeaux Seafood (had only had the Mexican) and it was yummy.  Mason was in heaven.

 Sunday, we went to the Christmas church service.  We decided to go Sunday morning instead of Christmas Eve this year.

This is an awful picture but the background is gorgeous.

Kids in big church for this service always.

Silent Night.
John was panicked they were going to burn the house down.

Christmas at Keystone is the best.

It was pretty chilly and overcast so s'mores it was.

We ended the night looking at Christmas lights in the most popular neighborhood.  There was an incredibly long wait to get in but it was worth it!