Babes in Toyland, Christmas Parties, and Hookah

 Going through my cell phone pictures, I forgot our Girl Scout outing to see the ballet performance of Babes in Toyland. It was really a great production and Victoria's troop even got a back stage pass to meet the dancers and see what goes on behind the curtain. The kids had a really great time, which I was surprised, since it was their first ballet that was over two hours long.

 Little sisters Bella and Kate even got to tag along.

 Finally the ice melted and the sun came out in December! Victoria and Bella love to climb this one tree in our front yard, even if they occasionally get war wounds from branches poking them. I dyed laughing when Bella came out of the house with a bandaid smack center on her forehead (with a small cross draw in red marker on it).

 The girls sporting Dave and Denise's outfits from Christmas.

 Being room mom for Bella's class, I made a small tree for her teacher Mrs. Benne, complete with reindeer ornaments of all the kids fingerprints and gift cards from their parents.

 Bella said the best part of her school Christmas party was decorating the gingerbread men.

 I think Victoria enjoyed the "unwrapping game" with her class. Girls versus guys- who can unwrap the gift first with socks on their hands and a present with 10 layers of paper.

 Victoria's teacher Mrs. Botkin (math/science)

Victoria's other teacher Mrs. Wilson (reading/writing)

 Bella's teacher and class

After their class parties, Braelyn invited the girls, along with Kate and Abby for a slumber party at her house.

 

 While the girls enjoyed their slumber party, the adults enjoyed their time at the Turkish Café. This is my all time favorite new place. It's different and exotic. And you get to smoke a hookah- flavored vapor water only! (non addictive!) The grape and mint combo was amazing.

 

 

 The entire patio of the restaurant is covered in these romantic lights. There was a belly dancer, unusual food (humus and watermelon/feta cheese dish), dancing, and a laser light show. Just a different type place. I loved making memories with my family and friends at such a unique place.

Ice Storm, Elves, Christmas Party, Christmas Lights, Dave and Denise

 On Thursday, December 5th, we had an unseasonable very cold front blow in that mixed with another front bringing the Dallas metropolis a couple inches of ICE (not snow.) The kids enjoyed it, but it was miserable for anyone that had to drive in it. I was trapped at home for 5 days! But we made the best of it with lots of sledding on the driveway (that had 3 inches of ice), drinking hot chocolate, and playing dolls and dress up.

Note: Bella's scar under her nose caused from falling ice. Her and the neighbor kid had an ice ball fight. (I kept thinking of the movie The Christmas Story- "You'll shot your eye out!") Initially Bella was telling me threw sobbing tears of how it happened- "Ice fell down... and it hit me... and... it hurt... and (cry, cry, cry)." The next morning her story changed to- "Austin and I were throwing ice balls at each other. His were small little ones. (giggle, giggle, giggle)I got a giant foot one (laugh, laugh, laugh) and tried to toss it over the trampoline and it came down and hit me on the mouth." I think she learned her lesson.

Our elves have been very busy at night.

 

 

 On Friday the 13th, Jer and I attended his firms Christmas party at the Bent Tree Country Club. It was so much fun- lots of dancing and good food.

 

 The next night we went over to the Potts' new house in Little Elm- it's gorgeous and has way more room for their growing family.

 This is the Lunn/Potts family tradition of loading into one vehicle and going out to look at Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate and singing Christmas carols. This year we were a little cramped with the addition of baby Grayson and Julie had to sit on the floor (shhh.) But hey, the more, the merrier.

 

 We celebrated Christmas and Denise's birthday by going out for sushi at Kotta, then exchanging gifts at our house. Bella has turned into a ham.

 Beautiful Ladies!



 

A busy December so far, and more to come...

Thanksgiving

I was super blessed to have both my brothers and their families come stay with us for Thanksgiving.

Here are some of the pictures courtesy of Paul who is the true photographer of the family.

 Who's teaching who to crawl?

 

 The mashed potato testers hard at work.

 

 Victoria was in charge of the veggie tray.

 

 

 

 

I also ran a 10k (6 miles) Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day with my neighbor and friend Julie. The first 3 miles we ran with her daughter Casey. We ran it in 1 hour 5 minutes. And it was 32 degrees out!!! Brrr.