Houston Dillons: Christmas

The Christmas season started for us when we went to visit Santa in Amarillo. Mommy LOVES the Santa in Amarillo. We went at a very slow time for Santa, so he was busy working on some of his wooden toys. How awesome is that?!? Despite the wonderful Santa, Kaiden refused to go visit him.

Mailee made it a few seconds before she protested.

But now we have our token Santa picture. If she follows in brother's footsteps, it may be the only one for some time. (Which makes me sad, but I decided it isn't worth it to torture my kids for a Santa picture.)

When we got back from Amarillo, we decorated the house. Kaiden got to put the lights in his tree. He loved playing with his Christmas snow globe from GranSan.

We found our real tree in record time, and it turned out to be a great one. Mailee was very *helpful* as we tried to put lights on, so she got to play in the spaceship box.

Daddy and Kaiden hard at work on tree lights. Tree lights always give me fits. This year I broke down and bought the nice expensive ones (after Daddy and Kaiden's work proved to be futile). I guess time will tell whether or not it was worth it.

Kaiden getting into the spirit at Lichar's work Christmas party.

Since Tante and Uncle would be spending Christmas in Dallas, we decided to open presents early with them. Kaiden took over the job of passing out presents this year. Tante and Mommy were very excited about this. While it is a super fun job when you are little, we've been doing it for a l-o-n-g time and happy to pass the torch.

Mailee was happy to receive her presents.

I love how she was daintily picking at the ribbon here.

Wrapping paper--it can be almost as fun as what is inside!

Mailee got a beautiful new jewelry box for all of her jewelry passed on from Grandmom.

She thought it was great just to open and close it 50 million times!

Kaiden was ready to try out his new Magic board.

Gigi playing with her new iPad.

Kaiden and Uncle playing games on the new iPad.

Sweet kisses from Mailee.

We also got to open some presents early with Christine. She brought some gifts by before she left town. Mailee got a new laptop.

Kaiden got a super cool track and cars.

Chillin with Christine.

Working on her new computer.

Gigi and the kids made some sugar cookies.

Aren't they beautiful?!

Kaiden thought they tasted most excellent.

I tried to get a picture of him taking a bite and I missed, so I told him, "Open your mouth and take a bite." This is what I got...

After baking cookies we thought we'd go see some lights.

Turns out the free lights in Dickinson are pretty awesome!

Proof Mailee was there too! She slept most of the night in the stroller, then moved to the sling with me where it was nice and warm.

Sugar cookies were so much fun, we thought we'd make some gingerbread ones too!

Kaiden cutting the first one.

It was a family affair.

Our little taste-tester.

The finished product.

Christmas Eve

In my family we have a tradition. Christmas Eve we have burritos for dinner and then open a few presents. This year we decided to let the kids open two of their presents.

Kaiden was eager to help out Mailee.

Her very own baby!

Kaiden is now a pro--no help needed!

A spaceship!!!!

Mommy helping Mailee with her other present.

A cute pink car!

She enjoyed "eating" Kaiden's second present, some musical instruments.

The kids playing with their new toys.

Really, these cymbals are fun to eat!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Cookies and apple juice for Santa. (no one at our house likes milk, and Kaiden thought he should have apple juice--so apple juice it is!)

Sure enough, Santa came to visit!

Kaiden's goodies. Kaiden must have been good this year, he got everything on his list: a green train, a black train and chocolate.

Mailee's goodies. Mailee was very good too, she got lots of things to chew on. ;)

The kids loved all their things. Kaiden was SUPER excited about his train. He went running into the living room and literally dove down to play with it.

Mailee was also super excited. She kept making this funny face where she squished up her nose. So cute!

The sea animals were a hit. Kaiden had them all lined up on the floor.

We even got to Skype with Oma (on one computer) and Tante Lilian (on the other computer). What fun!!

Then my *favorite* part of Christmas, trying to put all the toys together. Poppy and Daddy are both working. :)

I love their concentration in this one!

Mailee playing some tunes.

Don't forget the stockings!!

I was always a little disappointed in the apple and orange in my stocking. My kids--they love the apple and the orange! (Although in all fairness, I think Mailee just likes it because she thinks it is a ball!!)

Happy girl!

After Santa and stockings, we chowed down. Yum, yum!

All dressed up for more presents.

Even our four legged friends were dressed up. (no worries, this only lasted long enough for me to snap the picture) Hank was lucky enough to spend the holidays with us while Ark was at a Packer game.