Why bother...

Why do we even bother buying you Christmas gifts?

All you really want to do is jump on the bubble wrap.

I know what your getting next year little girlie.

Country girls...

Those there girlies lives in the country now.

What they got there is a John Deere.

Their daddy is so jealous!

Entertainment....

This evening Newt and I were profoundly honored to be entertained by a private, invitation only dance recital choreographed and performed by the highly esteemed and talented Audra DeLaine and her trusty side kick Elliot Marie. This evenings dance recital was inspired by one of Audra's Christmas gift, the ballerina jewelry box that plays music and has a ballerina inside that pops up and dances. Poor Newt, we don't have cable hooked up at our house yet, so this is as good as it gets around here in the evenings now days!

girl+chocolate= love

Elliot...proudly following in great grandma Betty's foot steps consuming delicious chocolates.

Getting to know you...

So we've been baking at our house these past few days. The oven has been pumping out pies, cookies and delicious cinnamon rolls. These same yummy treats I ate as a kiddo growing up too. There is no recipe written down for grandma's cinnamon rolls, we just "know" how to make them. My grandma's cookies taste like nothing else I have ever eaten. My daughters did not get to meet my grandma, but today they knew her through the cookies we baked and the cinnamon rolls we ate for breakfast. When we lived in Texas and had holidays there it seemed natural that my grandma would not be with us, we were not home. But being here, living in the town I grew up in with my grandma just around the corner, it feels wrong not having her here still so many years after she has left us. Gram, I am thinking about you, loving you still and missing you so much it hurts. My sweet Grandma, I cannot wait to introduce to Audra and Elliot, I think you will like them very much.

Merry Christmas...

From our family to your, may your day be merry and bright.

All our love,

Newt, Vicki, Audra and Elliot

Christmas Concert...

Audra's school had their anual Christmas program this past week. All the kids in the school were on stage at one time. There was 100 plus kids ages 3-5 years old belting out "We wish you a merry Christmas" all at one time....be still my heart. It was great, Audra had a huge cheering section. Afterward we had cookies and punch promptly followed by a HUGE melt down in the school gym. Good times. This last Friday was Audra's last day of school so we are now on Christmas break. We have play dates planned, projects to make, gifts to wrap and they are so excited to be able to offically say, "Christmas is THIS week mommy!!!!"

Questions from a five year old...

Here are a few of Audra's questions for me so far today:

1). Momma, do trees drink mud?

2). Do hippos get cold?

3). Does glue taste the same as frosting?

4). Will you make hot dogs for breakfast?

All that in about 30 minutes of being awake. How we got from one topic to the next I have no idea. It's going to be a very inquisitive day, I can tell already.

Winter Night Parade...

We do apparently love a good parade in this here sleepy little town. A couple of weekends ago was the Winter Night Parade. Everything was twinkling and bright...and a little chilly too! My brother Erik, who is a teacher at Lincoln High School , put together a float with his students again this year. The kids rocked out while riding on the coolest float of the evening. Erik did a great job of designing and putting the float together. The girls had a great time. They were bundled in their snow gear and tucked into the wagon. What a cheery way to start the Christmas season.