Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas. We woke up to Tyler screaming "Mom, Dad, Santa was here!!! Hurry fast! You've got to see this." We rushed over to the tree to see all of the wonderful presents from Santa and our family. The kids loved opening all of their presents. Thank you to everyone for such wonderful gifts. Our kids are so lucky, as are we!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Holiday Fun

We went to see ICE at the Gaylord Hotel just before Christmas. It's an indoor exhibit with ice sculptures, ice slides, and lots of snow. The room is kept at 9 degrees! Brrrrrr it was cold. Luckily the hotel loans you a parka to help keep you warm.

Emma touching a sheep made of ice.

Tyler trying out the ice slide. He LOVED it!

We also took a ride on the North Pole Express over the holidays. It was no Polar Express (which we had done in Sacramento the past 2 years) but the kids still had fun riding the train and getting to see Santa.

Let it Snow!!!!!!

Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve. It snowed for hours and the kids had a blast!

Scriven Family Chatter

I had to share these . . .

Guess How Much I Love You

Emma: "Tyler guess how much I love you?"

Tyler: "How much?"

Emma: "I love you all the way to Disneyland."

Tyler: "Wow, that's a lot Emma. Are you sure you love me that much?"

Emma: "Yes!"

Tyler: "Guess how much I love you?"

Emma: "How much?"

Tyler: "I love you all the way to heaven."

Emma: "I love you too Tyler."

An Update for Santa

Grandpa Steve was chatting with us that we'd better write Santa another letter to make sure he has our new address. So Tyler and I sat down today to write a new letter. But just as we did he said "Mom, we don't need to write another letter. Great-grandpa will tell Santa when he flies by on Christmas Eve."

Plans for the New House

Tyler told us today that the first thing he wants to do when we move into the new house is play baseball out in the back yard. Then he wants to buy a Christmas tree and decorate it right away, but he's not sure where we should put it yet. I think this plan sounds perfect.

Santa

We went to visit Santa today. Emma whispered quietly into Santa's ear that she wanted a pink teddy bear and a kitty cat. Tyler gave a detailed description of the pirate ship and Bakugan on his Christmas list. Tyler then asked Santa if he would like some hot chocolate and marshmallows on Christmas eve. He said of course, along with a few chocolate chip cookies. He also told us that his reindeer would love some carrots. It was an absolutely precious Santa visit!

A New Hairdo

I walked in the bathroom yesterday to find this . . . .

All I Want for Christmas

The kids sat down to write their Santa letters today. Here is Tyler's letter that he HAD to do all by himself. He is asking for a big pirate ship and an oval silver Bakugan.

Here's Emma's letter. She is asking for a pink teddy bear and a kitty.

Ice Skating

Here are a few pictures of our ice skating adventure while we were out in California. Grandma Carol and Logan joined us for a fun night of ice skating in downtown Sacramento. Tyler said it was his favorite part of this trip to California.

Great-Grandpa is Watching

Tonight as we were coming into Grandma and Grandpa's house Tyler shouts out "Good night great-grandpa." and then proceeds to tell me that "Great-grandpa is watching us." I asked him how he knew and he said "Look at the the moon mom. See how it's extra bright, great-grandpa is thinking of us."

An Angel Above

As many of you know my grandfather passed away today. I miss him already but know he is in a better place and will always be watching over us. I have been struggling with the words to tell the kids, especially Tyler. Since we are headed up to Chico for Thanksgiving tomorrow I thought I'd better tell them tonight. Tyler was full of questions . . .

"How did he get to heaven?"
"Where is heaven?"
"Can I talk to him?"
"Who will take care of great-grandma now?"
"Won't great-grandma be lonely? I think we'd better go keep her company!"

We talked about how the moon was extra bright tonight because great-grandpa was letting us know he had made his way up to heaven. Tyler looked up at the sky and said "Goodnight great-grandpa." He then told us that "Great-grandpa is going to have a great view of Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve."

Ready for a Thanksgiving Feast

Tyler's been busy at school getting ready for his Thanksgiving Feast. How do you like his Chicago Bear's themed Thanksgiving placemat?

Turkey Cookies

We made turkey cookies today. They didn't turn out quite like the picture I'd seen, but the kids thought they looked great and we had fun making them! The first one is Emma's cookie and the second one is Tyler's cookie. Tyler gobbled up all of his cookie the moment he finished his creation. Emma ate all of the candy and then licked the frosting off, but didn't touch the cookie! How quickly she has learned to love "junk food."

Yes That's a Chinchilla!!!!!

We went to an amazing birthday party over the weekend. A traveling zoo came to teach the kids about 6 different exotic animals. Tyler's favorite animal was the Desert Fox. Emma had to watch from a distance since she wasn't 3 yet . . . but she still enjoyed the show and loved the birthday party. I think her favorite part was cupcake time!

It's the Small Things in Life

Emma had her first lemonade tonight. She was so excited to try it. When I handed the lemonade to her she said "You mean I get to drink this?" She took her first few sips and wasn't sure if she liked it or not . . . but after a few more sips she said "I love it." Tyler's response was "Emma I'm so happy for you that you get to have lemonade now!"

Home Sweet Home

Here's what the house looks like as of today. The brick and stone are finally done. Next up is to stain the garage doors and beams on the front porch. The inside is awaiting appliances, carpet, and crown molding. They also still have to scrape and stain the hardwood floors. We hope to find out our move-in date on Monday!!!!!

Dance Class

Emma had dance today. It was absolutely adorable and she had an amazing time. Here are 2 pictures from class. In the first one she's up on her tippy toes and in the second one she's tying to do the splits.

Our Little Dancer

We enrolled Emma in a dance class last week. She went for a trial class and LOVED every minute of it. Her class consists of both tap and ballet. Over the weekend we went out and bought tap shoes, ballet shoes, tights, and a leotard. She loves to wear her tap shoes around the house and "make music" with her feet. Tonight she wanted to try on the whole outfit. In the first picture she is practicing her ballet moves and in the second picture (which is a little blurry but I just loved it) she is tapping away.

Happy Halloween

We had a great Halloween. We headed up to Lantana to walk the Monster Mile. It's a mile long trail of different characters handing out candy. The kids were in heaven. Emma especially loved hugging all of the characters. Tyler loved getting all of the candy. After the Monster Mile we went trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood. We met a couple of our soon-to-be neighbors and walked through the house. We are counting the days and can hardly wait to move!!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A Day Off with Dad

Dave took the day off today and we enjoyed every moment of it. We took Tyler to school and then headed to the bookstore.

Here's a picture of Dave reading a book to Emma.

Then we headed over to check out the house.

This evening we took the kids to a high school football game in Southlake. We watched the Carroll Dragons play and the kids were mesmerized.

Pumpkin Time

Here are some pictures from our trip to the pumpkin patch. The kids had a great time riding the train, running through mazes, climbing haystacks, hurdling pumpkins, and finding the biggest pumpkin they could to take home.

The finished product!!!!!!