Holley Colley

Mom, the kids, and I went to Coleyville's Christmas festival, Holley Colley.  I asked Mom if she wanted to come just for something fun to do with the kids, not expecting to need help.  I had every intention of going it alone with them if she didn't come.  Oh My!  Thank God she came because it was CRAZY!

Tatum saw the horses right as we walked up so we HAD to right those first.

Then we headed on over to watch Aslynn sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer...it was her solo debut at just 3 1/2!  She did awesome!  Tatum threw a fit (literally) because she couldn't get up on stage and sing with her.

Back to the horses again and this time she HAD to ride the pink haired horse.

The best possible place for Druz....thank goodness Liz brought her stroller!

The beginning of chaos...once out of the stroller it was an all out race.  After the jump houses Tatum saw Frosty...that was the end of all fun to be had.  I had to hold her the ENTIRE time.  She would scream like she was being severely tortured if I put her done.  She is absolutely terrified of anything in a large costume, i.e. Frosty, Reindeer, cartoon characters, school mascots, you name it.

Petting zoo, she finally let me put her down for a split second to pet the bunny

I was in one corner holding Tatum and my Mom was chasing Druz around the petting zoo.  He was so excited he didn't know what to do or where to start.

There were food trucks there but after standing in line for 20 minutes we decided to just leave and eat somewhere else.  The kids were GREAT at dinner.  Once again, thank God for my Mom being there!  I'm usually pretty calm with the kids even when things get crazy (at least I tell myself I am) but with Tatum being scared and Druz acting like he has never been let out of a cage...it was a little crazy even for me!  But we all had a fun time, which is what matters!

 

Chef Tatum

Tatum spent the morning with Grandma, while I had some QT with my little boy.  They baked Christmas cookies and made ornaments. 

To be loved by so many!

Playa's Christmas Cut

Playa got her Christmas cut today.  She cleans up well.  ;o)

Reindeer Lights

Papa and Barbara sent these reindeer lights for the kids.  Tatum loves them.  So does Druz but he broke one within the first 5 seconds of holding it so I decided it was best if he just looked (from very far away) and didn't touch.

Don't worry though, a little bit of super glue fixes everything. ;o)

She sleeps with them and wakes up wanting to take them everywhere. 

Our friend Zulu

I started Elf on the Shelf this year.  I didn't think she would really get it before now.  So far it's worked like a charm.  One little mention of this guys name and she straightens right up! 

Thanksgiving Weekend

We hosted Thanksgiving this year.  It was nice having everyone over.  Dylan's parents and youngest sister, Maddie, came in town and then my sister, her boyfriend, the boys, and Mom came over too.  Everybody brought something so I didn't even have to cook it all!

I had every intention of doing the Turkey Trot but didn't sign up so I did my own little 5k early in the morning.  I don't think I mentioned this, especially to Ron, but there was a pit bull following me on Pool Road!  Can you believe that?!?!?!?!

Heading to the park for a little pre-thanksgiving activity

I guess it just proves the food was good!

 Ron, Liza, and Maddie hung out with us for a few more days...

Clapping with Druzy boy

We took a little trip to Southlake Town Center and enjoyed the beautiful weather!

Went to the "big" park...a.k.a. Parr Park

Me and my honey having a moment.  ;o)

My little adventurer.

Maddie pushing Tatum and G-Pop swinging with Druz 

Maddie, chasing Druz around the playground

Still going strong

Christmas Kickoff!

After the gym this morning we took the kids to Downtown Grapevine for their Christmas Kick-Off.  Santa and Mrs. Claus was there as well as all kinds of other Christmasy stuff.

Tatum has always been TERRIFIED of Santa.  They had reindeer, elves, sharks, wolves, and all kinds of other characters dressed up.  She was begging to see Santa after she saw them.  I guess she decided to choose the better of the two evils.  She kept wanting to give Santa a high five.  Maybe I'll get a good Christmas picture with Santa this year after all!

 I wonder what the reindeer said that was so funny???

Watching Santa sleep

All the big kids with Mrs. and Mr. Claus

Tatum loved Mrs. Claus

 Love the group shots.  Always priceless!

Too sweet.

Two of my favorite people napping together.

Proof!

This NEVER happens...these two are usually arguing over something.  Tatum is yelling and Druz is shouting his caveman talk.  Comical yet irritating, especially when the biting and hitting come into play.  No, not my kids...Yes, my kids!

They always say if they are quiet, you should probably check on them.  Glad I did  I needed proof that my precious babies really do like each other.  Tatum was quietly reading (or reciting) her book to Druz and he was listening so excitedly.

Love these two more than life.

This is what I was working on while my kids were being perfect.  Felt Christmas trees, ornaments, and packages...anything to buy a few minutes of time, right?

So many things to be thankful for

I mean, seriously, does it get any cuter than this???  Unless, of course, it's your own kids, but still.  These performances make my heart melt!  

Tatum's school had an adorable performace.  I'm never sure if she will get shy or just sing out.  Today she was loud and proud!  They sang a Turkey song and a song about being thankful with sign language.  So stinkin' cute!

Someone (seriously not me) must have taught her about the Ms. America wave because this girl has it down!  As she is walking into Chapel with her class she is just smiling and waving at everyone.  I love it!!!  She's a natural ;o)

Each student at her school filled out a turkey feather to say what they were thankful for.

Tatum was thankful for Mommy and Daddy...ahhhh, love that girl.  On the flip side...Giraffes are a close second.  I love this age!  So sweet and honest!

Uncle Matt

Uncle Matt came to town.  You would think it was Santa as excited as Tatum was.

Dylan and Matt golfed Saturday morning so the kids and I had a little breakfast party of our own.

We went to the TCU/Kansas State game later that night.  I'm pretty sure we all had a good time, even if most of us can't quite remember.

Matt and Keith after the game...

My sweet boys

 Daddy and Tatum resting up before our big softball game...that Matt had to bare witness to. 

We enjoyed the visit and hope he did as well!

Druz first hair cut

My sweet boy had his first hair cut today.  He had to sit in my lap because he is one crazy kid so no pictures of the task being carried out.  These will have to do.

This is his "smile".

Big sister patiently waiting for her little brother to get all hansomed up. 

A little weekend getaway

Dylan and I headed off to Fredericksburg for a couple days this weekend.  Ron and Liza flew in to help out with the kids.  We are so fortunate to have so much help!

On our way there we stopped in Salado to get our trip started on the right foot.  We had a fun wine tasting at Salado Creek Winery. 

We stopped in Austin to have dinner and say hi to Dylan's friend Jonathon.  We ate at Hula Hut, good time.

We stayed in this little two bedroom cottage just off Main Street.  It was so cute.  We got up on Friday and went for a run then had breakfast at Mahaley's Cafe, which was DELICIOUS.  I'm a sucker for breakfast tacos and theirs were great!  Then we decided to get cleaned up and head out for a day of wine tasting!

First stop was Grape Creek Winery.  Beautiful views and great wine!

We took a quick detour to Luckenbach, Texas because "Everyone's Somebody in Luckenbach."  

Our next stop was Becker Vineyards but I lost all those pictures so you will just have to use your imagination.

You can't go to Fredericksburg without eating some authentic German food so we had a nice dinner at Rathskeller's.  

The next morning we did some shopping on Main (Dylan was a total trooper!) and then toured the Pacific War Museum.  Dylan could have stayed there all day!  After that we headed off to Enchanted Rock.  I'm sad that I lost ALL my pictures from Enchanted Rock and the museum.  

We hiked up and then headed back down just in time to miss some rain showers and get back on the road home to see our munchkins.

Thanks Mom, Liza, and Ron for keeping our little ones safe while we got to enjoy some time away!

We had so many great recommendations and couldn't get to all of them so we will definitely make a trip back!

Ron and Liza stuck around for another day so we got to hang out with them, which was nice.  Tatum can't have them visit often enough.  It doesn't hurt that she gets specials treats while they are here either. ;o)

November 1st!

It was 88 degrees today... Just another reason I love the Lone Star State!