Nephew....

My nephew is cuter than yours.

TX Christmas...

Sometimes one must accomplish great feats to make it to Texas at Christmas time. Like out smarting the fog in Tri-Cities by driving to Spokane instead to fly out...just before a nasty winter storm blows in and shuts everything down. But we are wise, seasoned travelers and that's just what we did.

The girls spent some quality time in the airport to be rewarded by making it to the land of their birth and lots of relatives so happy to see them and shower them with love.

Christmas there was merry and bright...and green! We had great sun shiny weather.

We got to see many of our favorite people in Texas that we left behind and do some of our favorite things again like visit the zoo.

The parrots LOVED Newt...

thought he made a nice resting place...

Audra was not so excited about the idea of a bird on her head.

Traveling with technology is a beautiful thing.

And when in need of a good time during a two hour lay over, riding the walking escalators is always a hit.

We were blessed with adventurous but safe travels there and back. We were reunited as a whole Zanes family unit...what a special thing to be able to all come together.

To get one Christmas is special...two Christmas's...is just down right spoiled!

WA Christmas....

Christmas just lasted, and lasted, and lasted this year...it even crossed two time zones and several states. Things started off with a festive bang in Washington and just kept on going all the way to Texas.

Mr. Gordon, looking oh, so festive. And yes, his tie does sing Christmas carols as you may have suspected.

Baby Finnegan's first Christmas.

The girls ripping into things like the professionals that they have become.

Hand made baby doll clothes for a special dolly friend.

It was a merry festive Christmas with snow on the ground, good food and good people all around.

Christmas program...

Audra's Christmas school program was this last week...

school buddies Orlan and Olivia...

Audra was one of the angels and had a speaking part. Then the kindergarten class rang hand bells for one of the songs. She did so great. This is not a kid who likes to speak in front of people so we were so proud of her for being brave and doing what her teacher asked her to do.

And this is the chaos of 130 kids ages 3-6 on stage together.

So much fun to watch!

Tooth Fairy...

I thought only really big, old kids lost teeth?

What is going on here?

I don't understand.

I'm not sure I approve of this at all.

I've been told I don't have a choice.

She put her tooth under her pillow and in the morning there were 4 dollars where there once was a tooth. She told her dad she wanted her tooth back. Apparently he doesn't look much like a fairy. And her 4 dollars...she told us she is going to take it to school to donate to the Coats for Kids fundraiser they are doing....her idea...I'd forgotten about the note that her teacher had sent home about what the class was doing...man I love that kid.

Evergreen...

We went to get our tree this weekend...

there's just nothing quite like shopping for a tree in the snow....

yes, she has already climbed the tree...

it smells so good and sparkles so bright.