A final Christmas post

The tree and trimmings came down today.  I called Caroline away from her movie before I got started disassembling thinking she may want to say goodbye to it all.  I wanted to.  I spent a couple minutes in the middle of our living room taking it all in.  I love our home decorated at Christmas time.  It's cozy and festive and now that we've been in this house for 3 Christmases, I have warm memories that come along with our home this way.  But, alas it was time for them to come down - Jan 4th is later than usual for me.

Now, as I empty my memory cards and prepare to clean them up, I've found some pictures that have not been shared.

This first batch goes back to the first of December.  We went, again, to the annual Christmas parade downtown.  It was pretty much the same as last year and some of our favorites made an appearance again - the cloggers, the square dancers that sit, the shriners in their little cars, the hot air balloons without the balloons, the high school bands.  Chad was able to come with us this year and we sprung for some cotton candy - yay!!

The photos below are from this past weekend.  Oma came to visit and brought with her more gifts from our loved ones in Wichita Falls.

These 2 made out like bandits this year. 

Jackson is now a lego expert and Caroline can fight crime alongside her brother while sporting her very own cape.  We loved having Oma here and I'm just realizing I don't have any pictures with her in them.  Sorry about that, Oma!

And as promised - the Peter Pan pictures.  I only had my iPhone to capture the awesomeness that was that evening.  My camera was sitting all alone in it's bag in my house.  Oh well.  You can still feel the awesomeness from these iPhone pictures.

Before the ballet

Mesmerized Caroline

Peter Pan

(This guy is AMAZING!!)

Captain Hook - and the hook hand Jackson refused to touch.

my pirate

Tinkerbell

Disbelief on Grandpa's face

Still holding on to the pirate theme.

And one final -
this is from the last day of school before break.  Caroline and I attended Jackson's class party.  Here they both are with Mrs. Baker.

I don't think I have any pictures from Christmas day.  That makes me a little sad, but it was such a rush seeing that we had church as well to get ready for.  I'll just have to tell you it was magical.  The children loved their gifts from Santa and their reactions to the gifts from each other brought tears to their proud parent's eyes.  

Well, folks.  I do believe this does it for my Christmas posts.  That is, until I uncover more photos I need to share.

Until then, Happy New Year!!