Christmas is here!!!

Kylie, Nikki, Alexis, and cousin Katie having fun together! The family gets together for a big yummy meal and then we have the telling of the Christmas story by Paco as the kids act it out. Baby Taylor was asleep, so Nikki filled in as baby Jesus.

Alexis is Mary and Dylan is Joseph, but we have a hard time keeping him interested when he knows that there are race cars in the other room.

The girls and Duke

I went ouside to check on the girls and this what I saw. The only one who knew I was taking a picture was Duke.

Santa's Village

We took the kid's to Santa's village. They went from one little cottage to the next. In one cottage they got to write letters to Santa, in the next they got to pet all of Santa's animals, and they gave out cookies in another, etc.....

We had a dinner party to celebrate Kylie turning 7!!!!!

Kylie decided this year that she wanted to have a cooking party, so I quickly had to get a sewing machine and learn how to make aprons. It was worth the stress. The kids made their own dinner, set the table, and then had dinner together. It was a fun time!!!

As our tradition is in our family, the birthday kid gets a date with Mom and Dad and gets to chose wherever they want to eat. The kids have always wanted to eat at McDonald's and Chick Fil A, but this year we were able to convince Kylie to go to Chili's. The waiters all came out and sang her happy birthday. I wish I had a picture of it. She was horrified to have so much attention drawn to her, but then after it was all over thought it wasn't so bad because they gave her a chocolate shake.

All ABOARD THE POLAR EXPRESS!

We took the Kids to ride the Polar Express. Below is the train conductor coming to punch holes in our tickets. Beforehand they had fun in the bounce houses, making ornaments, looking at the fun exhibits, and caroling. They even got a visit from Santa Claus.

I TOOK THE GIRLS ON A DATE NIGHT TO THE NUTCRACKER!

They had so much fun, as did I.

Thanksgiving in the country!!!

Dylan LOOOOOVES this tractor. He spent a lot of his time admiring it, and tring to find the keys to take of in it. After all the kids took a turn driving it, Dylan wanted to have antoher turn, so there he his with his Dad. I think Matt is having as much fun as Dylan.

And there Dylan goes for another turn with Dr. DeMoss.

The kids spent a lot of time driving in the golf cart with their friends.

We meet an Olympian

Today we met Jonathon Horton the silver and bronze medalist in men's gymnastics at the Bejing Olympics. Pictured as well is his fiance who's father owns the gym where Kylie takes gymnastics. Also notice how little they are. I felt like a giant next to them.

DYLAN AND DUKE- BEST FRIENDS!!

Nikki wanted to be a kitty cat, ballerina, princess, fairy for Halloween. Hmmmm. I wasn't sure how we were going to do that one, so she settled on being a kitty one night and then the next day for a Halloween party she was a fairy.

My mom threw a Halloween party for the kids and then we went trick or treating in her neighborhood. The weather was AWESOME. We wore short sleeve shirts. AHHHH- it was great!!!

Kylie is a 60's girl.

Alexis wanted to dress up as a witch this year.

Dylan dressed up as a firefighter.

Emily I put this one in for you. This is my dad, who got left behind to pass out candy. What a guy! We sure love Paco!!!

Alexis celebrates her birthday at the iceskating rink. Matt, Kylie, and Alexis.

We went camping in Oklahoma and had to cross this natural rock bridge which was covered in water. I thought we were going to die.

We take grandma and papa to Southfork. Nikki and Dylan have fun horsing around.

Alexis was baptized in September. We are so proud of her! We had my parents there and well as Matt's parents. We also had wonderful friends and neighbors who were able to attend. Wow, I can't believe my baby is 8!

Dylan, my little man!!!

We had a great Halloween dinner with great friends.

Yes, we got a new dog and we named him Duke. I was completely out numbered and finally gave in. He acts a lot like my 2 year old.

DALLAS ZOO

WE RODE THE TRAIN (WHICH THE KIDS THOUGHT WAS THE FUNNEST PART) TO THE ZOO. WE SPENT THE DAY THERE AND THEN WE LET THE KIDS "GET THEIR FEET WET" IN THE LAZY RIVER. NEEDLESS TO SAY- THEY WERE SOAKED FOR THE TRAIN RIDE HOME.

FLYING HIGH IN THE SKY!

THE WHOLE FAMILY ENJOYED AN EVENING FLYING OVER TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA.

MATT EVEN GETS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE OVER THE WHEEL FOR A LITTLE WHILE. (KIND OF SCARY - J/K)

DYLAN IS OBSESSED WITH BALLS, BATS, CARS, AND TRAINS!!!!! HE ALSO LOVES MUSIC. HE COMES INTO MY ROOM AND TURNS ON THE RADIO AND JUST STARTS DANCING. WHEN HE'S DONE DANCING HE TURNS OFF THE RADIO AND WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM. HE ALSO GETS OUT HIS "ELECTRIC GUITAR" AND JAMS.