Saturday, March 8, 2014

Dallas in December

We headed to Dallas for Christmas and had all kinds of fun.
The boys and I went a few days earlier than Jay and our first stop was Amanda’s house.  Paddy, Amanda’s mother had asked months prior if Jackson could have a slumber party at their house over Christmas.  He was thrilled!  She actually invited both of the bigs but I figured it would be much more manageable with just Jackson and would give Bear some alone time with Gaga since I had a party to attend that evening.

The guys were so excited to see their favorite babysitter EVER!  She was so sweet and had Christmas gifts for all 3 boys.  We all ate dinner (Paddy was so thoughtful and made a fabulous meal) together and then I dropped the littles at Gaga’s house and headed to my party.

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Attending the MOMS connection table party was just what I needed.  Seeing the ladies was so much fun and really refreshing to be back with my old church group.

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Jackson likes to play on my ipad (no surprise there!) and loves this app.  He was very proud of the message he typed for me.  Pretty sweet little man.

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The next day we headed to North Park to see Scrooge and the trains with Grandmommy and Gaga.  I think we’ve done this every year for the last 4 years, such a fun tradition.

The boys excitedly waiting for the show.

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Jackson dressed like a ninja for the day.

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As usual, Scrooge chose Jackson to talk to.

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Next, Grandmommy took us to see the trains.

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They boys were mesmerized by all of the scenes, it was really cool.

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They even had ET.

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The next day we went to have the kids pictures taken.  As soon as we left I realized that I should have gotten some pictures with Gaga and the boys but had forgotten (dang that sleep deprivation).  So, we headed to a park to take more pictures.  The boys were less than thrilled and did not cooperate.  It was super windy and pretty disastrous.  However, we got some great blooper shots!  And, I am again reminded how little talent I have in photography.  Don’t worry, I’ll still take TONS of pictures for the rest of my life. . .

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Gotta love the blooper shots.  Bear was crying, Jackson said the sun was in his eyes and Lincoln did not want to sit still.

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At least she got him so smile in one.

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These are a little better.  Jackson sure does love his Gaga!

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Making pouty faces.

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There’s a smile!

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My beautiful mom! 

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I actually like these two pictures.

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Gaga’s house is always full of Christmas fun.  She uses the same advent calendar that she had when we were little.  In each little pouch there is either money or a coupon for a fun date with her.  The boys love this so much!

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And Dufus surprised us by showing up in Dallas.

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Ninja warriors!

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While in Dallas we went to the dentist.  I’ve seen the same dentist since I was born.  I happened to glance at my records while I was there an thought that it was so funny that I could see every dental visit I’d ever had on a few short pages.  I’ve always known that Dr. B didn’t let the digital age deter him and his paper files but this was too funny.  There were multiple pages but this was the first.  All of my visit since 1982 were listed on the front and back sides of 4 different cards.

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This is just here because it is SO very true.

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One day in Dallas the Hirst kids came to Gaga’s house to bake cookies. 

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Sweet faces.

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Adrienne helping Keanan roll his cookie dough.

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Charlie makes the best funny faces.

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Jack and Ellie “playing” chess.  I’m not sure how much they actually played but they had fun regardless.

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Adrienne and her sister-in-law, Georgina.

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Playing the Santa Claus game.

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As I’ve said before it’s pretty impossible to get 6 kids to look at the camera. . .

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On another night while I was home some of my girlfriends got together for a Christmas party.  It was, of course, lots of fun but we missed Adrienne, who was with her kids and Jackson at a play.

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It’s always such a treat to get to spend so much time with Grandmommy when we are in town.  Jackson adores his Grandmommy. . .as do the rest of us!

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Lincoln loves to explore Gaga’s house.

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Daddy playing the guitar for the boys.

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Lincoln telling Gaga to get off of the computer.

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Bear was excited to see a Longhorn’s hat.

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Enjoying the huge chess board.

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Adrienne invited Jackson to go with them to a play of “The Night Before Christmas.”  He was so excited and loved being with Ellie and Charlie (Keanan was home with Damian who was sick).

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Auntie G with the kids.

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Ready for the show!

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One day Gaga surprised the boys with chocolate covered strawberries decorated to look like reindeer.

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The bigs approved!

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Jackson was so excited when we got to Papa and Nana’s and he learned that Nana loves chess as well.  Jackson loves playing games with Nana!

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The fan provided hours of entertainment for Lincoln.

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For a special surprise the bigs got to sleep on the floor in Nana and Papa’s room while we were there!  They were thrilled!

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They also loved all of the bedtime stories that Nana read to them.

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And of course, no day at Gaga’s would be complete without climbing the tree in her backyard!

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