Christmas/New Year in PA

We got back from Texas on Sunday night (Dec 28th) around 9:00. We told the kids it was too late to open our presents (and the Santa presents) and they would have to wait until after school on Monday. They were a little disappointed, but hey - that bought us one more day of them being good and listening to us. :)

Grace loves Peppa Pig 

Tommy is into Octonauts

Santa brought them a new Wii console (and games for each of them)

On New Years Eve, we went over to Christine & Eddie's house to celebrate Christmas with Tom's family. We had a nice dinner and then opened presents.

Grace received Frozen stuff , stickers/stamps & puzzles

Tommy received some dinosaurs and a cool skateboard

James just wanted some beer

On January 2nd, the four of us went to the Penguins game. Tom got a deal on tickets through the JCU Alumni program. The kids enjoyed it - possibly because they each got to pick out one thing at the game.

Grace picked out a cute teddy bear

Tommy chose a Fleury lego guy - he wants to get the collection (he already has Crosby).

Family Photos in Texas

The day after Christmas, we went to Texarkana to take the first "Hawkins" family photos since our wedding over 7 years ago.

Despite the crappy weather all day, the rain broke long enough for us to get our session in.

Here are some of my favorites:

Christmas in Texas

This year we traveled to Texas to celebrate Christmas with my family.

We left Pittsburgh on Christmas Eve around 3:30 and landed in Dallas (after 1 connection) around 8:30. The kids were really good during the flights. After picking up the rental car, we made it to my parents house around midnight.

We were up pretty early on Christmas morning - considering the late night before. We continued our tradition of mimosas in the morning (before opening presents).

My parents even had a sip..

Once Kimmy, Adam and Kylee came over - the presents were passed out and the kids tore into theirs. Grace actually opened all of mine too. :)

Grace takes her time opening presents..

While Tommy rips into his and wonders why he has less than everyone else (he didn't - haha)

Tom being bad on Christmas

The boys were happy.

After all the present opening, we headed to my Aunt Patty's house for our Chili Christmas dinner.

Kimmy doing a taste test - a few of us had to vote for the best chili

Tommy playing with the Zoomer Dino he received from Grandma & Grandpa

Handsome!

Beautiful (even if she is pouting)

Tommy made me watch the Dino while he played outside.

Grace, Olaf & Kylee hanging out

My other handsome guy. :)

I loved hanging out in the kitchen catching up with everyone.

Tommy liked hanging out with Adam.

The aftermath

I had Bob's name this year - he was very excited about the license plate (since he always puts old license plates on his list and never gets one). 

Bob took a photo of me taking a photo of something - he cracks me up.

Overall, we had a great Christmas day. Once we left Patty,s house, we went back home and watched Christmas Vacation and had a pretty lazy night.

Children's Christmas Party

We met Christine & Eddie at the club on December 21st for the Children's Christmas Party. We had a nice lunch there and the kids had fun doing some Christmas activities.

Tommy even surprised us this year by sitting with Santa. He had been adamant that he wasn't going to "visit" Santa this year. Grace and Evelyn just waved to Santa from the side (and that was so they could get the treat bag - haha). Grace also enjoyed eating working on the Gingerbread House.

Tommy with the Elf on the Shelf

Grace working on her house

I helped her out with it. :)

She decided she would taste test the candy.

My big boy with Santa (you can tell he was a little nervous)

Tom has horns growing...

My little baby.

Overly's Country Christmas

On December 17th, we all met Christine & Evelyn at Overly's Country Christmas to look at the lights and walk around in the cold. It wasn't too crowded and we didn't have to wait that long to get in.

The kids warming up in the train display area

It was a little windy...

Tim bought tickets for us to ride around looking at everything in a covered wagon - it was nice and toasty inside too.

The kids enjoyed playing in dirt - Tommy even found one of his friends from school to play with.

One last picture with Evelyn before we left..