Baby its FREEZING outside...

We headed to Waco for the weekend and were met with seriously freezing weather! The proof? It SNOWED?!?! 

See....

What? You don't see anything?

Look closer...

(What do you mean, I added snow? Weird.)

It really was snowing. And it really was COLD! But we loved it and we had the best opportunity to warm up at a sweet friend's baby shower!

Lyndee is expecting baby boy #2 in January so we had a simple "sprinkle" to celebrate Reed. Emmy was especially excited about all the cake. 

And Mason was excited that he got some Big Brother gifts, too!

The rest of Saturday was spent laying around in front of a fire, haphazardly watching movies, and being all around lazy. Then we headed to dinner with friends while Gigi and Pops watched the littles. 

And by Sunday morning we were so stir crazy that the whole crew got dressed and we headed to the Waco Mall. For 3.5 hours. 

:)

We are kind of a retail family though, the mall is like a second home since Dad spent 30 years working there. And, we had an actual excuse since we were letting the kids have their first Build-A-Bear moment. This place was actually much more fun than I thought it would be AND much less expensive! 

Winning.

(These may be the softest stuffed animals ever - totally give this experience a big thumbs up!)

They all picked Christmas characters to adopt. 

First up was Radley with his "Big Red" Rudolph. 

He made sure to get him nice and fluffy. 

Then it was Emmy's turn with "Jolly" the Snowman. 

She was most excited about placing his heart inside. 

Landry wasn't so sure about the "stuffing" machine. 

She was content to stand next to me while "Molly" was brought to life. 

Then the rest of the day we ate some lunch, watched some TV, looked at Lyndees new house and then headed home with our new friends! 

Tis the Season Y'all!

InstaKings...the extended version

So I have been a HORRIBLE blogger lately. 

I just can't keep up. I can take lots of pictures on my phone but then uploading them seems to difficult. I know that you are so upset about this as a loyal reader. So to make up for it, I will overload you with pictures from my phone. 

One of their favorite games to play is "school". Emmy is getting pretty good at writing her letters and Radley loves to help her on the ones that she has trouble with. It's pretty darn cute.

We got to enjoy a Turkey Day lunch with this kid at his school. Complete with cafeteria food. Ryan LOVES it. He ate all of his, mine and most of Radleys. 

Oh, and Landry turned 12. 

SERIOUSLY.

Quit trying to be a big kid, Landry. Sheesh.

We have had legitimate cold spells this year. Like super cold. So I surprised Radley with an after school treat of hot chocolate and donuts to keep us warm. 

Have I mentioned how much I love my new hours?

We went to Lights On! in Bryan during this cold/rainy spell. Landry was not impressed. 

At all. 

Sunday Sweetness. 

And the beginning of CHRISTMAS DRESSES!!!

(Emmy. Seriously I can't take her cuteness)

(Landry - she didn't feel like two shoes were necessary)

The Merry Mommas got to help with the ULTIMATE Christmas Card shoot a few weeks ago and had so much fun! Make sure to follow Your Merry Mailbox to keep up with everything!

The MSC boot crew. 

You should join our club.

We are fun.

And trendy.

And never loud or obnoxious at all.

We styled a friend's shoot for her Christmas card and Radley got to hang out while they took pictures. He was so patient and all around amazing to hang out with, so I treated him to sushi for lunch. Y'all - this kid is crazy about a San Antonio roll.

Full house.

Full heart. 

And then this happened.

Both of them were delivering to my house.

I may shop online a little. 

Every year we set our table with Fely's china so that she remains part of our celebration. My list this year included:

Healthy parents

Happy kids

Hot husband

Home

This is how we were required to dress while cooking lunch. 

Emmy insisted that we all look "pitty".

Our heart personified!

And then as soon as the left over were demolished, we began to Christmas-fy everything. 

SEND US YOUR CARDS!!!

Tis the season!!!

#youfightyouholdhands

(I learned that one from my momma)

(Jeremy and I held hands a lot)

After a full Friday of fun we surprised the kids with a trip to see Frozen. This was L's first movie experience and she did great! Frozen was really good! Super cute and funny and the music was amazing! Go see it!

The next night, this guy arrived. 

If you don't remember, this is how I feel about him. 

We have TONS of Christmas books and I love each of them. The kids love picking new ones to read and this year, Radley reads for us. They love this book - we scored it at Half Priced Books. You should definitely get it - so amazing!

Is it just me or do Christmas trees tell pretty magical stories? Mine does - and we love what she has to say!

And then off to Santa's Wonderland we went!

The girls spent most of last week at Gigi and Pops' house -- see how sad they were to leave me?

And although Radley really did miss his sisters - he was happy to get the alone time, too.

 Yes, Radley, Emmy and Landry - Alfie is so magical. Santa picked him out just for you. Wait, what? There are 100s lined up in B&N and Target? Weird. 

This jacket "fit" me in 1993. When I was in the 7th grade. Why did I ever need to own anything that large???

Yep. They missed us. 

Clearly.

He FINALLY got a loose tooth.

So what if a kid at school knocked him down to get it that way.

Shopping with Pops is a lot different than I remember. My kids get all the fun!

And then this happened.

And Alfie moved even lower on the list.

Our best gifts!

Tiny Tales Thursday...

We all have our best-friends. I am a lucky one in that I've had my best-friends since I was a child. And I'm even luckier that I have made new best-friends throughout life.

Well, Emersyn has decided that I am her best-friend.

And it's the most adorable thing you could ever think to hear or see.

I am greeted with "hi, best-friend." Lots.

She also uses it against me as a tactic and threat when she is being disciplined.

And I try not to laugh.

Me: Emersyn. Keep your hands to yourself. If you can't do that then you can go to your room.
Emmy: ::stomping to room:: Fine. But you not my best-friend anymore!!!
Me: Ok.

Me: Emmy - please quit playing at the table.
Emmy: ::continuing to play at table::
Me: Emmy - would you like to eat dinner in your room?
Emmy: No. You no my best-friend anymore!!
Me: Ok.

She takes this role very seriously.

The other night we were getting ready to leave Santa's Wonderland and Cindy and I wanted to take a picture. We let Radley and Caroline stay with us while Josh and Ryan took the littles to the car. When I got back to our car Emmy was in full on pout mode.

::Emmy with hands folded in car::

Me: Emmy, what's wrong?
Emmy: But. But. But. I-i-i your best buddy. Not Radley. Why he get to stay with you?

And then my heart melted.