Caleb's letter to Santa - 2009

Dear Santa-
I was still a little guy last year at Christmas time so I don't remember much, but my brother and sister have been telling me about you and the toys you bring. I can't wait to get some toys that are for just me. I always have to share with my brother and sister. I have been a good boy this year. I try to be nice to my sister even when she pushes me around in the stroller and runs me into the wall. My brother doesn't like to share his toys with me, but we are working on that. For Christmas I would like:
1) tractor
2) new Crocs - I wear mine ALLLL the time, even to bed
3) Elmo bandaids
4) sleeping bag
5) tent - like my brothers
6) new step stool - it will help me get in and out of my bed now that daddy made my crib into a big boy bed!
7) puppy
8) animal book
9) longhorn jersey
10) train
I hope to see you coming down the chimney, though I don't know if I will be able to stay up that late. Daddy and I are going to leave the reindeer some food as well. I bet they get hungry too!
Love,
Caleb

Avery's letter to Santa - 2009

Dear Santa-
I have been a good princess this year. I help mommy set the table for supper and when we get home from school I go through all the backpacks and take out everything mommy needs to see. I try to be nice to my brothers. Sometimes it makes me mad when they don't do what I tell them to do. I just wish they would listen to me. For Christmas this year, I would like:
1) baby doll
2) doll house
3) princess clothes
4) Tinkerbell bandaids
5) baby doll
6) new puzzles
7) Tinkerbell movie
8) baby doll
9) shoes - any kind
10) markers
Merry Christmas. Love,
Avery

Austin's letter to Santa - 2009

Dear Santa-
I have been a very good boy this year. It can be very hard sometimes especially when my sister bosses me around and my brother takes me toys away from me. I am a good boy at school and I help mommy and daddy at home. I help daddy check gopher traps and feed the ducks.
This year for Christmas I would like:
1) tow truck
2) train
3) Diego movie
4) gun like daddy's
5) Superman bandaids
6) new belt
7) computer like mommy's
8) fire truck to add to my collection
9) longhorn jersey
10) tractor with trailer
Mommy said you are going to be here at Christmas and will be coming down the chimney. I promise not to eat to many of the cookies we make for you.
Love,
Austin

Christmas parade

We braved the cold weather Saturday night for the annual lighted Christmas parade downtown. The kid's school had a float so we threw on a few layers of clothes and bundled up. Avery and Austin's class float was "Gum Drop Lane" - in spirit of the Candyland theme. Fortunately, their float was towards the beginning of the parade so once they made the downtown loop, we high tailed it home for the kick off of the UT/Nebraska game. What a game!!!! HOOK 'EM!

Santa - 1 for 3

We went for our annual Santa pictures at Hermann Furniture this past week. I didn't really know what to expect. I knew the chances of all three kids sitting with Santa were slim to none, but I really didn't know who would like Santa and who wouldn't. When they called our name, Austin went right up and sat on Santa's lap. Caleb got close, but started fussing when we started to sit him down with Santa, and Avery wanted nothing to do with him. By the time we got Avery close enough to be in the vicinity of Santa, Caleb started really crying so we moved Santa out of the chair and had the kids sit together. At the last minute Santa snuck in the picture behind them. After a few attempts at a picture of all 3 looking at the camera, Avery looked up and saw Santa and then our session was over... she was out of the chair and clinging to us. I saw a few previews of the picture and I think we may have got at least one decent picture. Maybe next year....

Family pics - OctoberDawn Photography

You probably noticed our new pic at the top of the blog. I have a college friend who is starting up her own photography business and we got to be one of her guinea pigs. October Smith is her name and her blog is listed so you can check out her work(and see a few other of our pics). She has always been soooo creative and she is super patient with kids - good thing for us! I was so excited to get family pics taken out at our house and she did a marvelous job considering her subjects. Of the 160 pics we took, I am not sure if there is more than 1 where we are all looking and smiling. But then again, that's why I love them, they are so candid and show just how chaotic things can be for us. The best thing about this is that Christmas card pics are taken care of. Now I just have to decide which one to send out.
Thanks, Tob. We will be calling again.

Happy Birthday Uncle Steve!

Hope you have a great day. Have a safe trip to Seattle.