New Years Eve

We had the Callaways over for New Year's Eve, and had so much fun ringing in the new year together.  I tried to get Ella to take a nap during the day so she'd be able to make it until midnight, but she just couldn't fall asleep. I finally gave up, and here is the explanation she gave me: "Mommy, I just can't sleep in the daylight. It's like bats. You can't ask a bat to sleep at night, and you can't ask Ella to sleep during the daylight." Alright then, no nap for this little one on New Year's Eve!

 

Her New Years poster

All dressed up for the big occasion

The kids got tired a few hours after dinner, so we put them in their jammies so they could rest a bit before it was time for the big countdown.

 

 The ball drop on TV here is still the NY ball, so you can watch it live at 11pm instead of midnight. We decided the kids were going to celebrate East Coast New Year!

 

Getting close!

 

Ella and James were just so excited, it was awesome. Here's a video of our final countdown!

We put the kids down a few minutes after their New Years toast of shirley temples, and then the adults stayed up a few more hours playing Taboo. We slept in a little bit the next day and had a play date with friends in the afternoon. Such a perfect start to 2014!

Post-Christmas Fun

Working on her new Rainbow Loom

Proud of her first bracelets!

We went downtown to Discovery Green so that we could ice skate at the outdoor rink. Steve and Mom opted for some off-ice bonding, and Glenn, Ella and I hit the ice!

It was really fun. There is obviously no real ice here so ice skating is not a common activity like it was growing up in NJ, so I like the chance to still get to do it once in a while. Ella is funny, she gets so mad at herself for not being good at it, but she really did well for being her 3rd time ever skating. Our last lap was very good and that's the one she has talked about the most since, so that's a good thing.

Running through the fountains

Texas' largest mistletoe

The exhibit in the greenway







That night we had some 'girl talk' with Grammy while Ella got ready for bed. She was very excited and said "let's go upstairs and chat, just my girls" -- I don't know where she comes up with this stuff!

With Grammy on Friday

Mom left for Charlotte, and Glenn watched Ella for me that afternoon so that I could work. 

Checking out corvettes!

After breakfast with Grampy the next morning

Christmas

Ella was so excited for Christmas morning that we had no idea how long she'd sleep in the morning. She woke up at 3am but luckily just wanted to be tucked back in. At 6:45, Steve and I woke up and we were wondering when we'd hear from her, and it was about 5 minutes later that she called for me. I went over to her room and she said "Mommy, I haven't been able to sleep all night. I keep telling myself to go back to bed but I'm too excited."

It was still dark out so I think she figured I would say she had to go back to bed, so she was thrilled to find out she was good to head downstairs and see what Santa had brought her!

Mom and Glenn came over around 7:30 am and soon we moved  into the family room to open presents from each other.  

It was a great Christmas, with lots of fun and family time together!  

Christmas Eve

Mom had arrived here the Thursday before Christmas, but unfortunately was sick and so we didn't get to spend time with her the first several days she was here. Glenn arrived late Monday night after a much-delayed flight. But by the time Christmas Eve rolled around, everyone was present and accounted for and ready to join in the festivities.

Making a gingerbread house (this was a pre-made kit from the store, about 1000% easier than our homemade gingerman adventure)

Our finished product

Cory's grooming appointment

Ready to go to church

 In some ways I like Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day - all the pre-Christmas excitement but without any chaos, a special day and night with family, beautiful church service, and the time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and be grateful for all that God has given us.  

We let Ella open one present on Christmas Eve and she picked out this gift from Mom - it's a barbie car that she loves playing with

After a big day, we got Ella to bed at a reasonable time so that Santa could come do his work!

Zoo Lights

We went to Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo the Sunday before Christmas. We are having a true winter this year and the night was cold and clear - a perfect night for walking around outside looking at the lights and drinking hot chocolate!

This guy was Ella's favorite - the komodo dragon

And my favorite - the giraffes

In the fish tunnel

The trees on this walkway were lit and synchronized to christmas carols, it was so neat to listen/watch them light up with the music.