The Polar Express

What a great Saturday we had. We got up in the morning and drove to Palestine TX to ride the Polar Express. We went with John, Wendy, Hannah, and Emma Gee and Craig, Darlene, Grandma JoAnn, Claire and Abby Fournier. It is a train that runs from Palestine to Rusk and back. It takes about 1 hour to ride. As we waited in line to board the train some of the chefs come out and took pictures with us. When we got on the train we were greeted by the conductor and the chefs. Once the train began, we were given hot chocolate and rice krispie treats. Sarah and Micah were in heaven. Micah cuz she was on my lap and Sarah was so impressed by the whole train trip. She looked out the window and asked if we would see wolves. I said I wasn't sure and to keep looking out the window. We got to the North Pole and there was Santa. He was outside waving to us. He then boarded the train and came through the cars and gave each of the girls a sleigh bell on a little leather string. Sarah said it was a bell off of Rudolphs sleigh. After that we sang songs and the chefs danced in the aisles. Russ got pictures of the chefs doing 6 Geese a Laying and Lords a Leaping. After a wonderful ride, we got out and went to the gift shop and shopped a little. Then we went back to the hotel and Emma spent the night with Sarah in our room. They stayed up until 10:00 and were up Sunday morning at 6:30.

Micah and Sarah in the same towel

Somewhere in my field of pictures I have a picture of Sarah int he same towel over my shoulder. Today it was Russ' shoulder with Micah after bath. She is so cute I had to share.

Gingerbread House decorating

What a great time we had today. We had the Fourniers, Gees, Gyillings, Navarros, Aguilars, Norris' and the Flemmings came. We had gingerbread houses to decorate, food to eat, gingerbread house mats to make, play time outside and Wii "Just Dance' to do. The girls were all given aprons with their names on them when they started decorating. We made green frosting for trees and white icing for snow on the houses. We had a zillion kids of candy and I had to try almost all of it. I think I liked the sour cherry circles and stars the best. One of the girls made a fire pit of tootsie roils and cut up gummy worms for the fire. One of the girls used a gummy word to make a wreath and used a M&M for the bow. After decorating the houses the girls went outside and played. The adults ate, drank wassail and talked until we were ready to explode. The Fourniers hung around after and we had hot dogs and Wii dancing. I think the girls will sleep well.

Spring Branch FFA Christmas

We had such a great time at the Spring Branch FFA Christmas. We got there and walked into the barn. To the left was a petting zoo. I made Micah pet the rabbit, the goat and a sheep. She didn't like touching the animals but loved walking around and looking at all the animals. After that we went on the hay ride. A tractor drove us around the area with animals placed around for us to see. We got off and went to see about seeing Santa but the line was so long. We went out of the barn and went to the fire pit where they has marshmallows and chocolate graham crackers. The s'mores were good. We also rolled down a small hill. Micah loved walking around and trying to run away from Russ and I. She would scream and giggle the whole time. After that we went back into the barn and had hot chocolate and danced to the Christmas music. It was a wonderful evening and the girls loved it.

Early Christmas with the Brothers

Allison and Homer got Sarah a pirate tent, pirate blanket and pirate fruit chews for Christmas. They allowed Sarah to open her gifts on Thursday when they came over for dinner. Sarah had to sleep in the tent. She laid her blankets inside and put her pillow in also. She made Russ close her in the tent. When I went to check on her before bed, her legs were poking out of the tent. I opened the Velcro door so she could get fresh air. She told me I shouldn't have done that. She also said she was too long for her tent but wants to sleep in it again soon. The Brothers gave Micah a sit and spin. Micah didn't like it and I couldn't get her to sit on it. Sarah plays on it a great deal.

Chasing Micah

Micah loves to be chased soen the hall of our house. SHe thinks it is so funny to run form us and then fall down and pretend to be safe. SHe laughs so hard.

Micah's first Chanukkah

This was Micah's first Chanukkah. We lite the candles every night and Micah watched very closely. Sarah repeated the prayer after me and by the last night she could say it with me. She lite all her candles by herself every night. We don't give a great deal of gifts but talk about "the miracle of the oil". Sarah and Micah got books and 'Just Dance' Wii. It is fun to dance to the songs.