meeting santa.

Like last year, we visited Santa at Waco Wonderland.

Its free. There are almost no lines. He is the most legit Santa I have ever seen.

Last year did not go well but she knows Santa and knew we were going to see him.

We weren't sure how she would react but she didn't cry so ... WINNER!

 

She got close enough to talk and give high fives.

 

 

 We went with her bestie and it was ADORABLE!

They held hands and ran all around.

 Danced to Christmas music at the BIG tree.

 

petted the animals (mostly the back ends. lol )

and posed for silly pictures together.

it was windy and cold but they didn't seem to mind.

We love our Waco Wonderland. We'll be back next year!

5th Street Tradition.

Christmas on 5th street is easily one of my favorite Christmas traditions.
Baylor hosts this free event every year. Last year we spent too much time in line to see Santa and didn't get to do much else.
This year, we saw it all!

We got there very early and had no lines for the live nativity, petting zoo, pony rides, or tree farm.
We had a special guest take Papa's place this year.

 

We did have to wait in line for the carriage rides but it was a good time.

as you can see, she was really interested in the horses!

This girl loves her animals. She had almost no issue being put in a pen with 50 people and 30 animals. even when they were jumping up to get her food. She just kept on petting and feeding and hugging!

 

 We got to see some sleighs.

Look how she loves Grandma!

 

This was one of many decorated trees at the tree farm.

She loves her Baylor Bears!

 

All around it was a good time. She was a trooper and said, "this is the best day ever!"

 

Thanksgiving.

This year we were excited to host Thanksgiving in our new home with family.
We had a house filled with 7 adults, 6 kids, 2 dogs, 20 pounds of turkey, 16 pounds of ham, and a bowl of lemons of Uncle Daniel's tree.

Oh, when I mean I "hosted" what I really mean is I opened my door and let people in.
 They did all the rest. They went grocery shopping, stocked the fridge, cleaned out the fridge, made room in the fridge, cooked 75% of the food and helped make sure I didn't mess up the other 25%.

 

 

The weather was perfect for some park adventures and our home was filled with love and laughter.
This is exactly what we envisioned when we bought the B&B ;)

Dining Room Makeover.

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, we (by we, I mean I) set a goal of completing the dining room just in time for Thanksgiving. And boy did we go down to the last minute. The table and chairs were delivered two days before Thanksgiving!

We started the project about a month ago by painting the walls.

Where it went from this.

to this;

 

It really lightened up the space and make it look bigger. Because of the length and color, I had to make the curtains but I'm glad I did! I love them and they only cost $22

(lots of coupon stacking happened).

 

The most obvious issue - besides the mess, was the red chairs.

The color was off. But more than that, the table only allowed for 4 people. We have had up to 11 people at staying at the house at one time so we knew we needed more.

I shopped around for new sofas (another story for another day) and the table and chairs at one time.

They are in the same space so they really needed to match.

 

We ended up with this table from Home Zone

I really, really love the chairs too! BUT we have a 2 year old!

I went back and forth on these. Ultimately I decided that since these are the chairs we would use EVERYDAY, they probably would not stay white very long. So... we passed on those.

And got these.

They are a bronze color and very durable. It looks like something off of Fixer Upper, huh?

We put them together and voila!

 

Here is a close-up of the colors.

 The most recent addition is the butcher paper roll.

I just put a piece of twine through the roll and hung it on a nail (for now). I think it would look cute on an interesting hook or knob.

I've always like the idea because it satisfies my need for seasonal change ;)

 

I love my new space!

Neil loves that its done, I'm sure.

Lots of new posts coming soon!

 

Our Curious George goes Trick-or-Treating.

This year Reyna requested going as Curious George for Halloween.

We had two trick or treating events. The first was at the University dorms. This was a perfect experience. I borrowed Papa's costume for the day and was the MOM with the Yellow Hat.

 

 She kept that mask on most of the time but she looked like a little monkey without, too!

She was so excited.

"Ooh Ooh Ahh Ahh"

 Showing off her tail!

On Halloween night we went to the famous Colcord event.

Our friends live on the street. They block off a few blocks and they get thousands of people coming through. They start at 6pm which is GREAT for littles.

This time, she got her Man with the Yellow Hat. And they were adorable!

 What a good sport that Papa is!

Probably her favorite part was handing out candy.

Josh "let" us pass out candy at his house and it was intense!

this is a snapshot of the continuous line at his house!

 The best part was getting to see our little friends.

Penny the ghost.

 That little fisherman, Wendel!!

Our Curious George family - Professor Wiseman, George, Man with the Yellow Hat

 

 

Can't wait for next year!

2.5

We celebrate half birthdays around here and I'm so glad we do.

Yesterday our little pumpkin turned 2.5

we have made it a tradition to go to the pumpkin patch and eat a cupcake on her half birthdays and boy was she excited about it!

 

We started by visiting the pumpkin patch at Magnolia.

I don't know when this started, but her little grin melts my heart!

Kind of mischievous with a mix of cuteness.

We picked up cupcakes

 and headed home for a play date with her "little sister" Ellie.

Reminder to self: she has AMAZING big sister qualities!

 

Then we headed to her favorite place - the library.

Yes, this was a lot for one day but the books were due and it was her (half) birthday so....

She literally spends hours there. now, she looks at pictures and makes up her own stories. its adorable and entertaining.

 

We waited for Papa to get home and had dinner and our cupcake celebration!

She was totally into it and even requested that we sing to her AND requested candles!!

 no candles but she was happy to pretend!

at 2.5 five she is very mature and intelligent - loves Curious George and Paw Patrol - she is fully potty trained, even at night (though I'm not brave enough to let her) - she love pickles - she is kind - she likes feeding the dogs and helping me cook - she can ride her tricycle and scooter - she loves hiking - she gives the best hugs

 

three sounds too big and so far away so we will relish this stage!