New Year's Eve 2016

We spent another New Years Eve at the JW Marriott with Ben performing.  Chad and Rochelle, Stephanie Henson and her husband Jimmy, Tina and Corey and the Zettel family joined us.  We decided to bring Cash, Pistol and Ashley this year.  Pistol and Ashley went to the kids party the hotel was having while Cash stayed with Jake.  He enjoyed hanging out with Jake as he is a sophomore in high school so he got to watch Jake checking out the girls at the party.  Eek! Emma stayed with my parents and they had their own party.  Surprisingly or not E stayed up until the NY ball dropped.  She wasn't as tired as she normally would have been because she had a nap earlier in the evening.

Christmas 2016

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"  We started off the season very early by going to the Junior League's Ole.  I bought tickets for the Breakfast with Santa at Ole which left quite a bit to the imagination.  Not enough food ...actually we got no food.  That said the Santa picture was ADORABLE!  We met up Sheri afterward for some fun Ole shopping!

Cash already has a love for cars...like his daddy!

The kids begged me to put the Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving so I did.  It didn't take much convincing as I love when the tree is up!!

The morning after Thanksgiving I went for my annual Black Friday shopping trip with Arianna.  So while I was gone Ben made sure he captured a few pics of what the Elves (Josey and Joseph) left behind!

Family pics for me were somewhat dreaded but I am proud to say I picked our outfits in about 15 minutes...which was the part I dreaded.  That and hoping we get at least a few good shots.  The posing thing really trips me up.  That said these are great of my precious family!  Cash gets more and more handsome by the day and our girl is just absolutely beautiful!  Its such an honor to watch them grow!  

Ben and I took the kids and my mom to Dickens On Main in Boerne.  I haven't been to this fun event in years!  I love Boerne and Dickens on Main is just so fun.  Tons of food vendors, "snow" flurries as you walk up and down Main Street which is all blocked off for the festivities.  The old building I worked in (Benefit Planners) is transformed into Santa's workshop complete with pictures with the jolly man himself.  

Even Hobbs is enjoying the beauty of the tree!

Ben and Cash stopped at a gas station taking the RV back and decided to get these fun hats...and I couldn't resist including Ben on the silly pics!

Emma had her Christmas program again with Concordia Lutheran Tiny Tots.  This was the dress she picked out and yes she was the brightest of the kiddos..and the cutest!  She did so good and practiced a lot prior.  

We had our girls annual Christmas lunch and exchanged our Secret Santa gifts.  My Secret Santa was Norma which I was over the moon about!  She gifted me the coziest blanket, a cute basket, yummy smelling candle, fun/warm socks and a GREAT bottle of wine!  I said immediately that I would be partaking in all of my gifts that evening.  So I did and caught the moment in a pic!  I thoroughly enjoyed this very quiet moment after the kids were asleep.  I don't know why I didn't take more pics during our lunch.  Note to self for next year!!

Emma's letter to Santa.

We joined the Club at Dominion and took my parents to their Christmas brunch with Santa.  It was really nice!  The food was SO good!  

The Garcia Family managed to still have their annual Christmas party even though they sold their home and are in a rental at the moment.  We all met at Bigz and had a great time!  Yvonne hired a magician.  He was a little odd but all in all fun!!

My dad and I went to pick up the go kart we ordered for Cash for Christmas.  I don't know what I was expecting but this was even more.  I knew Cash would be over the moon.  

Christmas Eve is here and the Christmas Eve surprise boxes were ready to be opened.  Every year the kids get snacks including popcorn and candy, pj's, and a movie.  

The tree prior to opening gifts with my parents.

Cash is so very giving and always wants to buy gifts for us with his own money.  So I take him shopping for Ben and Emma while Ben takes him shopping for me.  We of course we tell him it is absolutely not necessary he simply loves to do it.  He is just like Ben.  He loves receiving because he is a kid but I think he likes giving even more!  He went to Build A Bear and picked out a kitty cat for Emma, had it stuffed and bought it a sweater with some little shoes.  He couldn't wait to give it to her.  She was very excited to open it and it stays on her bed everyday!  So special!  

The kids are in bed, the cookies and milk have been left for Santa and the toys have arrived!  As you can see Cash's loot is less....only in the number of items!!!!  Geez...the older they get the more expensive it seems the gifts are.  Doesn't that seem the case...the older we get the more our tastes change and in this family the more expensive they get.  Yikes!  There is a separate post on Christmas for Cash this year.  

The gumbo preparation is underway and couldn't have smelled any better.  I LOVE the smell of roux cooking!

My parents came over mid afternoon with the gifts that Santa left at their house for the kids.  

I love that my dad would ride with Cash!

Couldn't leave Hobbs out of the Christmas fun.  He got a new bed and some toys from Santa!

Just us girls being silly after the Christmas festivities were over!

Even I conceded to a ride with my boy!  It was actually pretty fun!!  He is very careful and cautious...hopefully a glimpse into his driving habits.

Merry Christmas!!