Fort Worth Zoo

We all loved the Zoo

Giraffes!

and Elephants

I think they were actually looking at Grandma- but I still love it.

I thought these kids were awfully cute on that little elephant.

and I don't know why a carousel ride makes these people so happy!

My two favorite Texans

How much do we weigh?  How many chickens, goats or cows would we make?

Ben and Jilly kicking back on some good chairs and pretending they are old.  (LOVE the faces...)

Apparently, some of these people are NOT Gator fans.

We had a marvelous time at the Fort Worth Zoo! 

Texas Family Fun

It was Christmas all over again!  We had so much fun celebrating in Texas.  We were able to spend some time with people that we don't get to see very often.

Dawn and Kailey are ready

Ben- one of our all time favorites

What a handsome boy...

Grandpa Ross, Grandma Jacque and Grandpa Carrell

Aunt Shannon and Grandma (Can you tell that they are sisters?)

Madi is thrilled to get to open more presents

Dad and Claire are blowing up balloons

The kids- after playing the ultimate balloon and nylon game ever...

AND

we got to celebrate with Grandpa Ross on his birthday!

The Texas Trek

On Christmas day, we headed to Texas to see Aunt Jill and Uncle Ben plus Grandma and Grandpa Carrell and lots of other family members.  It was a LONG trip- we are talking 19+ hours one direction.  Actually the kids did really well and Stella was the best traveling puppy ever.  Our first night was spent in Atlanta, Georgia.  Night two was somewhere in Louisiana.  Then we were in Texas.  On the way back we stopped in Memphis, Tennessee (sadly I saw nothing of Memphis but I have been enjoying listening to "Walking in Memphis" quite frequently ever since.  Looooove that song!).  Some of the highlights of the trip?

Spending time with my all time favorite person.  What can I say?  I love him.

Fat goo... An app used by my children.  Sweet Madi is the recipient of this one.  She is cute even when made to look fat.

Bald Goo... Similar app to the fat goo.  For some reason, this picture provided much entertainment to Danny and I for quite some time.  

Madi got a baby bottle pop for her treat and somehow opened the powder and it spilled all over her and her seat.  We decided that this was the easiest way to clean everything up.

We know that this is a very safe carseat and it was fun for all of us, too!  (Madi actually was smiling here.)

We survived the trip and could actually do it again!  The stars at night are big and bright... (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of TEXAS!

The Opening of the Presents

Santa found us!  It was a great day. 

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

One of my favorite traditions is our annual re-enactment of the Nativity.  We read it directly out of Luke and Matthew.  There are always a few moments that are pure Carrell.  (Like when Mary whips the baby doll out from under her shirt.) Here are the characters from 2010. (again- Danny used his iphone to take the pixs- sorry about the quality)

 

The Narrator

 The Shepherd (and little lamb)

Joseph

Mary

The Donkey

The Angel

The Wee Wise Woman

The other Wise Woman

We three queens of orient are...

After we have our play and sing a few songs we always finish off the evening watching "The Nativity."  It is a 5 minute long video of the nativity that it totally accurate.  I always appreciate Mary more when I see her face as she walks into the stable.  (And looks up at Joseph with a look that says, "You're joking...right?")  And I always, always get a bit weepy when I see the wise man who is discouraged because he has been waiting for so long ... and then he looks up and sees THE STAR and his lip starts to quiver.  

I am so very thankful for Jesus Christ and all he has done for me.  I love to remember Him at Christmastime.

Gingerbread Houses

We had to make our annual graham cracker gingerbread houses.  The girls decided it is way more fun with friends.  So I headed to the grocery store and bought loads of candy and the fun began!

  

Shelby and Annagrace are ready with the glue gun!

 

Emery and Abigail are using the frosting to glue on their candy.

 

Madi ate more candy than she put on her house- and loved it!

 

Claire actually is surprised that I'm taking a picture?

The finished products

 

Emery and Abby

Juliet and Claire

 

Annagrace and Shelby with their mansions!

Nativity Celebration

Our Church has a Nativity Celebration every year.  They open up the church for three days and display all of these beautiful nativities.  This year there were over 600.  It was amazing.

This was our contribution.

They also had a Messiah Sing a long and the place was packed!  (Really well done..)

There was so much hard work that went into this!

They had a great kids room where the kids could "be" in Bethlehem.  (Too bad it couldn't help Jake to be kind.)

We had a great time.  We're looking forward to next year!