Today CHH and I took the girls to a birthday party at Pump It Up. It was lots of fun. CHH took this picture of the girls and me getting ready to go down the slide. Our girls love this place.
For the past several years, we have taken the girls (Jordan only at first before Katelyn was born) to get their pictures taken with this Santa. He is complimentary and located at the Preston Center Shopping area. We were driving to a Christmas party after the Pump It Up birthday party and drove by Preston Center. CHH said we needed to stop and get the picture with Santa; it is tradition. We did stop and get the picture(s); I was glad.
CHH was a trouper. Birthday party, Target for gifts for two more birthday parties on Sunday, Christmas party at his colleague's house, and then I suggested we go look at Christmas lights. I had heard on the radio about this area in Plano (Deerfield Estates) that was featured on Good Morning America this past week. At Jordan's plea of "Pllllleeassse Daddy", we went to view the lights.I had told Jordan previously that before she was born, Daddy and I had a tradition of where we would get hot chocolate and then drive around looking at Christmas lights. She remembered this. We had to stop by Starbucks for hot chocolate so, she could have it to look at lights. I was pretty sure Katelyn would spill her drink in the car so her "hot chocolate" was a half of cup of water in a Starbucks cup. I was correct! She took the lid off and dumped it in her lap. Oh well. At least she had her Starbucks as well.
Once we reached the neighborhood and saw all the lights, Jordan insisted we park the car and walk around. Many other people were doing so and, she once again begged her father. The weather was beautiful and actually somewhat warm. I'm glad Jordan wanted to walk around because it really was fun to do so. So many other people were doing the same thing which made it feel more like Christmas. Everyone was so happy walking around. Nice.
Jordan is standing in front of the house with all the lights that was featured on Good Morning America.
The house was great. They even have Santa on the weekends. I think this is the girls' fourth picture with Santa. I don't know why I bother with Mall Santa photos! Santa sure does get around! I, of course, had to let Santa know that Katelyn was wet because of pouring water on her pants. He wanted her on his lap anyways - good Santa. Jordan continues to tell Santa that she wants a Julie doll (the American Girl doll), Julie's bed, shoes for Julie, and an outfit for Julie. She's consistent!
One house in the neighborhood had reindeer hooked up to a sleigh. Rudolph, of course, was in front. I had to get a picture with Rudolph in the background. Do you see Katelyn with no shoes?! She takes them off all the time. Only in Texas can you get away with something like that. It was nice out thank goodness.
Jordan enjoying the lights and display in front of another house.
We love the various cute cut outs on the different lawns. I want to get some but have no idea where I can do so. Let me know someone! I still need help on figuring out what happened to our light sockets in the front of our house and on our front balcony. When we plug in the lights, nothing happens. We even flipped the breaker but still nothing. This sounds like a phone call to poor Uncle Marty for advice :) I just have not had time. Perhaps on Sunday because the display of lights we saw tonight has re-inspired me.
Katelyn and Mommy. Jordan would not get in the picture. She was having a blast playing in this neighborhood gazebo also lit up with lights. It must have seemed magical to her because, she was dancing and singing. She did not want to leave and kept insisting we sit down inside.
Jordan and her Daddy inside the gazebo.
The girls running around and dancing in the gazebo. Yes -- that is Katelyn with no shoes!! It really was nice out. Needless to say between no shoes and multiple candy canes from Santa, she was filthy and needed a bath when we got home. I bathed both girls and then CHH read Katelyn a book before putting her to bed. He said he was only able to read her one story tonight because her eyelids were closing while he was reading. We had been going since 12:30 PM and never came home until after the Christmas lights. When he laid her down, he said she was out before he walked out of the room! It was a nice day. I love my family.
