December

This Christmas time we decided to try something new. Instead of buying things for ourselves, we decided to focus our efforts on giving to others. We of course mailed gifts to grandparents, our constant support throughout the year! We also took part of some neat activities during Christmas time. We went Christmas caroling one night with some friends from church and left people with a nice fruit basket (thank you Linda!) and a warm visit. Another time, some families got together from two different wards and bought Christmas gifts to families in need in our ward and these gifts were distributed to families. We also ding-dong-ditched friends from school. The spirit of giving really helped to make this Christmas times super special... and in the end the children learned to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas and they really appreciated the gifts they did receive, both the ones money can buy and the ones money cannot.

Merry Christmas!

At church we had a Western-themed Christmas Party. Danny shared his wonderful talent for music by participating in a very nicely done quartet singing "We Three Kings of Orient Are". The children shared their talents in singing and acting as well... Jonathan was the wise man that presented baby Jesus with Gold, and Gabby and Anna were angels. All very fitting. :)

Ring around the Rosey with Hayley and Jakie!

Children with Santa.

Danny dancing at a Baylor Christmas Party... we had a lot of fun there too... break from kiddos, great date night! :)

Setting up the train... Choo Choo!

Relaxing with Paola

Gabby helped make this yummy Christmas time dessert. Mmm! Pomegrante seeds, oranges, and chocolate covered pretzels.

Only in Houston is it hot enough to paint outside without a sweater during the winter months. Anna and Paola are 'one' with the paint... you can just see the gray-matter of their cerebral cortex growing denser... the interconnection of neurons growing stronger and more complex! Real learning!
I'm grateful to have a hose and a bathtub! :)