Grandpa

My Dad flew into Dallas yesterday on a business trip so the kids and I drove up to see him. First we went to the Dallas World Aquarium, which if you Texans haven't been you should go because it's really cool! After the aquarium we went and picked my Dad up from the airport. As we were driving in circles waiting for him there was a man standing on the curb that looked a little like him. Mason kept yelling out "There he is!" every time we passed him and I would tell him that no, that wasn't him. I pointed out that this guy had a mustache, and Grandpa didn't. He was getting frustrated... and we kept circling. Finally on the 4th or 5th time around Mason yelled out

"GO AWAY MUSTACHE MAN!!! I'M TRYING TO FIND MY GRANDPA!!!"

We took Grandpa to his hotel and had a blast breaking in the bed for him by jumping on it! Then we drove around for about and hour with 3 starving, crying and complaining kids looking for a place to eat. The hotel person had given us directions to the headquarters of a restaurant, not the actual restaurant. So we ended up in the middle of nowhere! We did finally find some good eats, and then everyone was happy.

We dropped Grandpa off at the hotel and headed back home. We got home at 12:30 am.

3 1/2 hour drive up, 3 hours with Grandpa, 3 1/2 hour drive back.

It was worth it!

Too bad I forgot my camera...

Trampoline

You have probably heard of the "family bed". As parents we strictly go against this practice. We feel it uncomfortable and and non sleep inducing!

However,

the family trampoline is a different story! We spent about an hour on the tramp as a family, and had a great time! Of course when I realized this was a good picture opp I ran to get the camera and when I got back the moment had passed, mostly because Daddy felt sick from swinging the kids in circles. I was able to catch a few last ones anyway.

Doggie pile on Daddy!
Crazy Tori

This isn't the best picture of Mason, but I thought the sky looked really cool!

All our poor kids have major face abrasions right now. Poor Mason had a picture frame fall off the mantle and gouge his cheek. Poor Tori fell flat on her face on the driveway cutting up her nose the next day. And the day after that Poor Aryah fell down 2 stairs also scratching her nose.

Maybe we should keep a better eye on the kids...

Purple princess

Christmas Eve

We have a tradition of inviting other "loner" families over for Christmas Eve. We decided that even though we would have our family here to celebrate this year that we would still throw our annual party. The crowd is different each year depending on who is in town. This year, besides us and our family, it was the Andersen's and the Barksdales.

Getting ready for the party!

Victoria and Jessica

Mason



Grandma, Aryah and Victoria

Grandma and Aryah

Caleb Barksdale, Jack, Sophie and Sam Andersen

Andrew and Rachel Andersen

Jule, Hazel and Hyrum Barksdale

Jack and Sophie Andersen

Grandma, Don, Shalynn, Juli and Eliza

Tori

Mommy Mason and Daddy

If only I was a little taller!

Hyrum, Hazel, Juli, Jessica and sophie

Hyrum opening his gift at the used toy exchange

Mason got a Mr. Potato head set at the used toy exchange.

Once everyone left we did our own family traditions. First the kids opened a gift from Mom and Dad.

Then it was the Pajama Race! Victoria won this year!

And then it was picture by the tree time! What cute kids!

After all the pictures we set out our cookies and milk for Santa and put the kids to bed. The fell asleep pretty fast, which was good because Santa was just down the street!

Merry Christmas!

Aryah, 14 months

Grandma Kathy and Victoria, 2 1/2 years