Christmas Vacation Fun

 

We went on a family hike during Christmas vacation. Some people in the group *cough Clara cough* refused to acknowledge that it had even been a hike since "there weren't any ups and downs" (elevation gains). There were however signs warning you to stay on the path because there were copperheads in the underbrush and the constant sound of gunfire because the hike was across the lake from a gun range. *Cue Deep in the Heart of Texas.* It was nice to be outside and to see a new part of town though. Grandma Cole met us there so that was also fun.

 

We also bought a zoo membership with some money that Gma and Gpa Roueche sent for Christmas and went there. It was nice to be able to walk around the zoo in December and not freeze your face off. They had a lot of fun animal exhibits and a lot of the kids' favorite animals.

 

We spent New Year's Eve over at the Caldwells' house. We played games, ate snacks, and had a "kidnight" countdown around 9:45.

 

Then on New Year's Day we went and visited Great Gma and Gpa Roueche. They live in Crowley with Aunt Tina and Uncle Pedro. The day that we went Aunt Susan and Uncle Chris were visiting from Oklahoma. They were very happy to see us, and we were happy to see them. As always Great Gma Roueche had fun playing with the kids and Great Gpa Roueche checked in with all the kids. Leona and Great Gma Roueche had fun playing keep away and tickle fighting each other.

Another fun thing that the kids got to do during Christmas break was have a mini-sewing class with Gma Cole. They each got some fabric for Christmas and then got to rummage through her stores for more and make a pillowcase with her. It was fun one-on-one time with her and she let them do it almost entirely on their own with her just giving them pointers.

Leona wanted this photo taken of her with all of her new Barbies.

 

Christmas 2020

Some Christmas Eve jammy photos- so cute!!!

Christmas morning, before they went downstairs.

Leona's "Santa" present this year was superhero Barbies.  It was funny because I had bought these a while back when Costco put out the Christmas toys, because I thought Leona would like them.  Then over the month or so leading up to Christmas she started making weirdly specific requests for Christmas gifts that made me think she had maybe seen these hiding in my closet. First it was that she wanted Barbies for Christmas. Then she added that she wanted superhero Barbies. Lastly she said that she wanted multiple Barbies, preferably five. She apparently hadn't seen the dolls though because she was shocked on Christmas morning. Her face said that she truly believed that she had willed this set of five superhero Barbie dolls into existence and into her living room for Christmas.

Grandma and Grandpa Cole came over in the afternoon. One of the gift they gave the kids was a silly book about a donkey. They enjoyed hearing Grandma read it to them.

 

12 Days of Christmas Dinner

We had a definitely not COVID approved family Christmas dinner. The theme was the 12 Days of Christmas. Each family was assigned several days from the song and had to bring something that would go along with that day. For example we had Day 1 and Day 6 so we brought Cinnamon Rolls in the shape of a tree with spiced pear chunks in them and mini quiches. It was a lot of fun and the food was delicious. The dishes were kept secret until we sang that verse and then they were revealed. Afterwards we had a cousin Nativity reenactment.

 

Christmas Ornaments

We invited over the Berhisel family to make Christmas ornaments with us this year. As with the gingerbread houses we set up tables in the garage and wore masks to help mitigate the covid risk. Texas cooperated with us and gave us beautiful weather so our fingers and clay weren't too cold to work properly.

Clockwise: Eliza did Ginny Weasley, not a self-portrait as might be assumed. Clara made Mt. Rainier in honor of our time in Washington. Leona made Washington State, with Seattle marked in green. Mom made Minnie and Mickey in remembrance of our amazingly fun Disneyland Vacation squeaked in ahead of a worldwide pandemic. Dad made an aerial view of our court in Seattle in memorial of all of the wonderful memories made with friends and neighbors in the court. Timothy didn't make one this year. Maybe next year.

 

If Santa Claus got stuck...

"If Santa Claus got stuck in my chimney on Christmas Eve... I would get a rope and would tie it to his belly. I would then get him out. He would be happy. I would go to bed."

 

Gingerbread Houses

Collin's Christmas work party was a virtual gingerbread house and cookie decorating party for the whole family. Only Timothy and Leona ended up wanting to do it, so they had all of the supplies they could ever want.

We had the Chackos and the Stevenses over to decorate gingerbread houses. We did it out in the garage for covid reasons. It was really fun.

 

Small Spies

 

The girls hid tiny spies all over our bedroom. This is just a sampling, they were legion.  It was pretty hilarious.

Thanksgiving and Family Photos

We flauted the covid guidance and had a massive Cole Thanksgiving dinner and party. (To our knowledge nobody got covid from the gathering.) We did do the eating part outside. The weather cooperated and it was in the upper 60's and beautiful- Thank you Texas! Afterwards while playing games inside we did wear masks. It was fun to be back with the big group for Thanksgiving!