Cookies for Santa

Decorating sugar cookies for Santa was a Christmas tradition we had in our family that my sister and I have both carried on with our boys. One thing I love about it, besides the obvious task of eating them, is watching the boys with their creativity and seeing how it changes from year to year.

Camden chose to put 'Joy to the World' on some of his cookies

I have no doubt that Santa will be pleased with their cookie decorating!

School Christmas Festivities

Yesterday the boys had their Christmas parties at school. I fondly remember when, as a kid, I had holiday parties at school. It is fun being able to experience this fun time with the boys. This year is the first time I have had to divide my time between two parties since Casen is now at Camden's school. I started with Camden in his class and then made my way to Casen's class. Once there, Shane showed up and we were able to divide and conquer!!!!

In Camden's class they had goodies to eat and cookies to decorate.
































In Casen's class they also had goodies to eat and they decorated cupcakes. Casen had quite the masterpiece!

Looks like trouble!

Playing Bingo

Today was Polar Express day at school! The boys were able to wear pajamas to schools as well as  bring a blanket and stuffed animal to enjoy the movie. Luckily, as he does each year, Cooper brought them pajamas night before last to wear. Camden chose to wear different pajamas then the ones Cooper brought since it was hot outside and the thought he would get to hot wearing flannel pajama bottoms.

Now we are all out for Christmas break and are ready to enjoy our two weeks off. The boys are definitely looking forward to Santa coming!

Grandma Key's 100th Birthday Celebration

Today we had the privilege of celebrating my Grandma Key's 100th birthday.  Her actual birth date is Christmas day, however today we celebrated her. All of her children, along with 4 of her 9 grandchildren all gathered to celebrate. When I visited her around Thanksgiving, she told me that my dad had told her that we were having a party and she wanted no part of it. She has always told me she did not want to live to be 100, but personally, I couldn't imagine life without her here. I am glad she has made it to see 100 and pray that we will be able to celebrate many more birthdays!

So what do you get someone for their 100th birthday???? Honestly, there is nothing my grandmother wanted or needed. However, when I am with her and we look at pictures on my phone of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, she always comments that she doesn't feel like she knows her own family. Honestly, she has not met a lot of her great grandchildren and hasn't seen some of her grandchildren in quite a few years. I wanted to somehow make a pictorial family tree to hang in her room to help her keep everyone straight. I sent an email to each of her children as well as all my cousins requesting a family picture. With the help of Melissa, we finally ended up with something for her to hang on her wall.

We held her birthday celebration at the Buckhorn Club House (where mom and dad live). Mom made a scrumptious dinner of ham, gourmet potatoes, green beans, corn, salad and rolls. Mom made a chocolate sheet cake (one of grandma's favorites) and then we had a birthday cake for her that was Italian creme cake. It was fun visiting with everyone and listening to grandma talk about the past. She truly is an amazing woman! How fortunate we are to have Alice Key in our lives - so glad she is MY grandma!!!!

Grandma had just arrived and was
so surprised to see everyone

Grandma with 5 of her great grandchildren

Melissa's family with Grandma

Grandma and her kids.

Our family and Grandma Key

The boys had fun with her '100' ballots

Uncle John and JK

Chris holding Melissa and my gift to Grandma 

Cousins

Grandma with four of her grandchildren

Letters to Santa and Cooper

Camden has always been my thinker. He analyzes things and is always looking for the how or the why. So it was no surprise when he sent letters to both Santa and Cooper this year looking for answers to some questions he had.

Camden's first concern was that Mollie was going to touch Cooper and take away his magic. So, he composed a letter that Cooper was to take to Santa to answer. My favorite part was that Santa was supposed to write his answer "in your neatest hand writing". LOL. Luckily Camden felt that Santa did use neat handwriting.

His second concern was that some of his friends claim they play with their elves and he wanted to know if this was true since the book says you can't touch them. He drew Cooper a picture and luckily, Cooper answered.

And has he does each year, Cooper brought the boys chocolate calendars to help them count down the days to Christmas.

Camden did not want to take a picture
so early in the morning.

Pictures with Santa

As he does every year, Santa visited our neighborhood today. He arrived on a firetruck with sirens a blazing. We headed up to the club house where he was for the boys to sit with him and tell him exactly what they wanted. This year, Camden asked for a lava lamp, a remote control truck that can go in the grass, sand or where ever he wants it to go and a desk. Casen asked for a lava lamp, Battle Bots and also a remote control truck. I hope they have been good this year so Santa can bring them exactly what they wished for.

Camden telling Santa his list.

Casen had been practicing exactly what he
needed to tell Santa.

Casen in the firetruck that brought
Santa to our neighborhood. 

Snow in the Hood

Last night while I was at Bunco, the snow started falling. The prediction was that it could snow, but honestly I don't think many took it seriously. I know I really didn't because let's be honest, how often does it snow in Houston, Texas??? It really was beautiful as it fell in the night. I had a huge dilemma upon my arrival home - do I wake the kids and let them see the snow for fear it won't be there in the morning? I opted for no and prayed it would still be there.

I woke up at 1:22am and took this picture.

Luckily, upon their awakening, they both looked out their windows and saw snow. They were sooooo excited and couldn't wait to get outside and play in it. This time of year it is dark when we leave home for school but since this hardly ever happens, we all left later than we normally do so we played in the dark and in the dusk.

Snow ball fight!!!!

Casen loved eating the snow.

Dad joined in on the snow ball fight.

Let's get the neighbors!!!

Pure joy!

Leaving our neighborhood for work

The perfect shirt for today!

I am so glad the boys were able to experience snow today. They used up most of the snow in our yard making snow balls so we weren't able to build a snowman, but that didn't bother them one bit. It was an unexpected and fun morning!