Texas snowman

Last night it snowed again. This is the third time this month, including our white(ish) Christmas. Very impressive for this part of the world.

We spend yesterday afternoon watching the new Chipmunks movie (which we all enjoyed) and doing a bit of post-holiday shopping. By the time we got home it was dinner time, but we sent the kids out back to play in the snow first. As you can see in the first photo (Snowman: the morning after), there wasn't much time to enjoy it.

I was quite impressed with their little snowman. They made a good-sized one, considering the amount of snow they had to work with. There wasn't much snow left on the grass when they were done!

Merry Christmas

All dressed up for Christmas Eve brunch

Feeling the Christmas love
Treats for Santa - homemade goodies from Grandma
White Christmas in Texas!

Santa was here!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Everything is brighter in Texas

'Tis the season for holiday lights. Lots of holiday lights, especially if you live in the Lone Star State.

We have been enjoying some drives through nearby neighborhoods to see the displays. They are quite varied, some with less and some with more.

Some with lots of colors:

And some with lots and lots and lots of just one color:
(Its hard to get a good picture without the flash while still being discreet.)

Santa wears cowboy boots

At least he does when he visits Texas! He also wears a cowboy hat and drinks Dr. Pepper, while relaxing with his feet up, waiting for children to visit.

We went last night for the obligatory Santa visit and photo. Susanna understands that Santa has many helpers, but she doesn't share this insight with her brother. Ben accepts that when he sees Santa, its the real Santa, and doesn't seem to ask as many questions as Susanna did when she was smaller.

They both asked Santa for only one thing, and very reasonable requests they were: Susanna would like a new DS game (she'd also like a DSi, but we've suggested that she save the money for that herself) and Ben just wants a Batman costume. I don't expect that Santa will have any trouble fulfilling these wishes.

New pets

Another weekend has come and gone, and we aren't much closer to being ready for Christmas.

But we did accomplish something this weekend - we got some pets!

Three hermit crabs. One for Susanna, one for Ben, and one for the family.

Susanna has been asking for a dog for a while*, and I don't feel very ready to give into that request. Cats are not an option for us, and at this point I don't particularly want any other type of small pet (hamster, etc.) Hermit crabs seem like a very reasonable "starter" pet.

Susanna has agreed to take charge of their care. She will change the drinking water, bathing water, and food. Her father will be in charge of any actual cage cleaning.

So far it seems to be going well and they survived their first night with us. Susanna has already been pinched once - we told her the crab was still "adjusting" - hopefully it won't happen again!

*In fact, this was the only item on her Christmas list until recently. Now she'd be willing to settle for an iPhone instead.

It DOES snow in Texas!

Today we woke up and saw snow flakes! It was still a bit dark, and they were swirling in the light from the street lights.

I can hardly believe they didn't cancel school at the sight of the first flake, but they didn't. We didn't make the bus (rough night - power went out and things were beeping for what seemed like hours...), so I drove Susanna to school. I almost forgot what it is like to drive in snow - I think I let myself forget about that when I found out I was moving to Texas. Anyway, the drive took a bit longer than expected, and she was just a few minutes late due to all the traffic outside the school. Hopefully the principal won't call : )

I wasn't quick enough with my camera, and now the snow is gone and its cold but dry outside. I told the kids to enjoy it while they could because this could be the last time they see snow for a long time.

The countdown is on...

Happy December everybody!

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. We had a nice one. It was the first time we didn't have one of our moms (or aunts) prepare the meal we would eat. Between the two of us, we put together a nice feast. Brad was very pleased with how his turkey came out, and I most enjoyed the brussel sprouts. The kids' favorite (not counting the "cranberry" jelly) was the plain ol' green beans (no casserole here.)

The kids are back in school after a week off. Its only Tuesday but we are pretty much back in the routine - I even got Susanna on the bus this morning. After today there are 13 days of school left, then a nice long Christmas break.

Decorations are going up all around us, but we're still, uh, working on it. A lot of people pay others to put lights up on their houses - I'm pretty sure I've never heard of that service before I moved here. I guess you can pay for anything. We haven't taken that route, and it shows. Maybe we'll get a few lights outside in places that are easy to reach. I've also noticed lots of trees in front windows, but again, no tree here. With only three weekends left before the big day, I suppose its time to get to work...