Meeting Papa Noel

The week before Christmas we went to Waterway Square in the Woodlands to see some caroling groups, drink hot chocolate and meet Old St. Nick.  Our friends from the neighboring ward invited lots of people and so it was fun to go with a big group and get into the Christmas Spirit.  Later we went over to our friend's home (the Andersons,) for hot chocolate.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were great and I love this picture of Henri with the jolly old soul!

Christmas Eve

One of the great things about living in Houston is that our friends have become like family.  It is great to share traditions and holidays with people we love even when we can't be with our own family.  This year we had our Christmas Eve dinner with the Andersons and the Benches.  Dominic Anderson is a family friend that we grew up with, and Jen Anderson is actually my 3rd cousin!  Mark Bench went to Hillcrest Highschool and is two years older than I am, so it is fun that we all already had connections!

Jen has an amazing "nativity kit" so the highlight of the night is when the kids did the nativity.  Henri was one of the stars in his role as a shepherd.  After every scripture that was read we would stop and sing a Christmas Hymn and the kids would all climb up on the table to "sing."  It was so cute!

 Here is Mark helping out as a wise man.

 Final curtain call for the cast.  Henri is a shepherd, Iris is Mary, James is baby Jesus, Boston and Jimmy are wisemen and Rosie and Lydia are sweet angels who did a great job holding their arms out.

And, for good measure, here is our Jameser.  We had a great Christmas Eve!  

Exxonmobil Family Christmas Party

This year the Exxonmobil family Christmas Party was so fun!  Well, James didn't have that much fun, at least when he met Santa.  Henri put up with it because he knew he was gonna get some good presents! (Melissa and Doug band in a box!)

The place the party was at had a kind of indoor carnival.  We went bowling, which Henri loved!  It has been fun to have him be old enough to really enjoy these types of activities.

 This was one of the rides he was so excited to go on.  We were laughing so hard because while he was riding it he just looked so serious and not excited at all, but he when he got off he looked really excited again.

We took some pictures in a photobooth too.  Having our family of four in there was so fun and we were just laughing so hard.  We would have stayed longer, but sweet baby James was so tired and having a hard time.  We had a great time at this party!

Chompers

Sweet James

 Trying to get a good picture of his teeth

 There they are!

 He has his two middle bottom teeth and on top he has two on the right.

I love that crooked little grin!

Christmas Ball

This year the Exxonmobil Christmas ball was downtown at the Aquarium

 It was fun to dress up and get out. Even more fun since our friends Jill &Mike Thayer were there too!

Downtown Houston

Hangin out with Dad

At 9 1/2 months our Sweet baby James is getting so big!

Henri's 3rd Birthday

On Henri's actual birthday we drove to Inks Lake and celebrated by eating some leftover pumpkin crumble and opening a few presents.

 He turned 3!

 He got two Mators and a camping chair

 A week later we celebrated again by inviting friends over for a party!  Good thing we live in Houston and could have the party outside on December 1st!  (Notice the shorts and flip flops!!)

We had a pinata... 

 ...and a cake and called it a party!

 Aunt Janie and her boyfriend, Trace were a great help!

 Henri's friends were so nice and brought him some awesome presents.  Here is cute Rosie showing him some features of a monster truck!

I can't believe our baby boy is THREE!  He is such a sweet boy and we are so grateful for him!!! 

 Love you Henri!