It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...well, almost!

This is our first Christmas in Texas and it is a little bit different. We have had some fairly cold days but for the most part it's been very sunny and warmer. It's odd to be outside in a long-sleeved t-shirt with my windows rolled down some days. Then other days, I'm freezing and feel like I'm back in Ohio. I'm definitely enjoying the sunshine though, even if it's chilly. We've had a lot of fun driving around and looking at all the lights and touring they "Christmassy" things to do around here.

We also had a lot of fun taking the kids to see Santa. It was particularly fun this year because it is Blake's first Christmas and because Alexa really "gets it" this year. Of course, everything she sees a toy or candy she says "I want this for Christmas Mommy" but she has been very consistent on the one thing she asks for over and over. She says "I want my 'owm' makeup for Christmas" (that is how she pronounces "own"). It was funny though because when she saw Santa she said "I'm having my own makeup for Christmas" instead of asking him...I guess she's pretty confident! Every time we drive to look at Christmas lights Alexa yells "Christmas Lights" at every house. She asks me almost every day if Santa is coming yet.

The other day Alexa found my hiding spot for the presents and came running out with her Tinker Bell toothpaste and some candy I got for Nic for Christmas. She was so excited that she found something and she has asked for her Tinker Bell toothpaste every day since then. I didn't really know how to explain why it was in the closet.

My little Blake seems to be growing up so fast! I can't believe he's almost one! He has four teeth now which are so cute! Especially since there is a big gap in between the top two and he just grins so cute with them:-) He is getting around really good walking with his walk toy but no steps on his own yet. He will stand on his own for a long time and I ask him to walk to me and he just slowly sits down and then crawls over. Right now we are working on getting rid of the bottle and exclusively using a sippy cup. It's been quite the challenge and very frustrating since he drinks water out of it great but he knows his milk is supposed to be in his bottle so he throws it down. He is finally drinking his milk out of it for the first morning cup but won't touch it the rest of the day. I keep reminding myself I went through the same thing with Alexa but it seems like he's a bit more stubborn than she was...I wonder where he gets that from? :-)

Here are a few random pictures from December. I have many more to post but I have to get them organized first. I at least finally got Blake's birth photobook done (now that he is going to be one in 2 weeks!) and Alexa's 2 year book...can you tell I'm a little behind?

(On the hayride for the "Live Nativity")

(Petting the baby Camel. He was only 6 weeks old...so cute!)

(Alexa petting the small cow at the petting zoo)

(Eating his puffs...he stuffs his face so fast!)

(I turn my back for one second...That's a toy knife by the way:-)

(My cutie in a pair of his Christmas PJ's trying to pull the garland down off the banister)

(Blake's beautiful curls...definitely red but there's some blond in there too)

(My beautiful Angel)

(Alexa was being silly and buckled herself in Blake's carseat so Nic carried her around in it)