Santa Came to Longview!

We have decided that it is more important to be with family than to be home on Christmas morning; at least for now.  In order to do this, we had to come up with a "Santa Plan". Meaning, how will Santa visit our kiddos?  Will we leave him a map?  Will his reindeer be able to find us?  Etc, etc...  We decided that Santa will visit our house on Christmas Eve, just like he does every other family.  We just aren't there Christmas morning to see what he left for us--we see it a couple of days later.  We sprinkle reindeer food in our yard before we leave for Lake Charles so that they know to stop even though we aren't home.

This is the second year we have done it this way, and it seems to work well.  It even helps the munchkins to want to come home after our stay with family.  They are never quite ready to leave (I can't say I blame them), so this gives them something to look forward to upon arriving at home.  Plus, it makes Christmas last just a little bit longer :)

This is what we had waiting for us when we got home:

Do you think they were excited??

Here is their first glimpse

Gannon is so over taking pictures.  I have a ton of them, it's just that none are usable.  Little turkey. 

Austyn, on the other hand, is a total cheese ball!

She was so excited that she got a guitar just like Daddy and Gannon!

The best gift of all, I couldn't get photos of....They didn't quite know what it was when they opened it, so I will have to take more photos of them using it.

Those will have to wait for another post, so stay tuned ;)



A Big Christmas Post

Time spent with family is time well spent.

Bryan and I are firm believers in this, and Christmas is no different.  Oh, how I would love to wake up in our own beds on Christmas morning, run into the living room, and see the kids' faces when they see what Santa left them.  But I cannot, for a single second, imagine missing out on all the family get-togethers in Lake Charles!  Maybe one day, but not now.

Christmas weekend kicked off with a Duffy Christmas at Uncle Geno and Aunt Penny's house.  Here are a couple shots of Austyn in the shirt that I made for her.

Not too bad for my first attempt at an applique!

Here she is again, posing with her new "paying toy"

We may have missed soccer registration this year (bad, bad, Mommy!), but G can still play, thanks to Nonnie!  That is a full-size goal in the bag!!

Baby M even got in on the action!  Thanks, Nanny Shawn!

Every year, Mom gives the best photo gifts, and this year was no different.  This is our first Christmas without Pawpaw, and Mom had beautiful photo books made for everyone.  Here is Nonnie opening hers.

And here are Aunt Penny and Nanny looking at another.

I love this picture of Austyn and Shawnee!!

Christmas morning PJ party at Mimi and Pappy's!!

Austyn just loves these nightgowns with the robes.  She calls them her princess jammies.

Whoever though of Angry Birds sure is sitting fat, now!

My little space man!

Of course, more piggy stuff!

I hope that yall had a great Christmas as well!



Just Hanging Around

Disaster struck here yesterday.  Okay, so it wasn't a disaster, but it's my blog, and I can exaggerate, right??

It never fails...When we come to Lake Charles, I always, always forget something.  Usually, it isn't a big deal.  What did I forget this time?  The charger and spare battery for my CAMERA!!!

Ugh.

So I am making do with a point-and-shoot for now, and hopefully I can find a charger, soon.

Now, onto our mischievous elves!

This was Monday morning/
I know, I know.  I am slacking.  But we are very, very busy running the roads to see everyone we love!

....and there went the camera!

Hopefully, we will be back up and running soon.

Christmas with the Manuels

Sunday, we celebrated Christmas with Bryan's parents, brother, and our nephews.  It was such a beautiful day, so the boys decided to play football outside.  Here are a few photos from the fun.

I just love watching them play together!

He was so proud of himself for hanging with the "big boys".

Pa'pa even got in on the action! 

This is how a princess plays football :)

My silly girl!

She actually played for a few minutes...

Okay, so aren't they just the cutest!  I love when they play together!

Of course, what the kiddos were ready for was presents!  Who isn't ready for presents when they go to their grandparents house for Christmas, right?

These are four of the silliest, sweetest, cutest munchkins I know!  Love them so big :)

And this one, here...Haha!  He was hilarious!  He was so excited about everything!  It was really sweet to watch his face just light up with excitement over and over again.

Ma'Ma got them a Melissa and Doug art easel and supply kit!  So fun!!

Stay tuned for more Christmas festivities of 2011!