Cashion's Firetruck Birthday Party (turning 3)

Cashion loves firefighters and fire trucks, but what 3 year old boy doesn't?  Capt. John Lenz and the firefighters of Station 19, which is directly across from Cashion's school, were sweet enough to bring the truck by the party.  It was a treat for the kids AND adults.  Everyone had a great time and the pace was slow and relaxing, which is pretty rare at a kid's birthday party.  It helped that we had gorgeous weather, which is always a toss up in February in Texas.  We had firetruck cake (thank you YouTube), red velvet cupcakes, "drop" (gumdrops), "roll" (Tootsie Rolls), "fire truck wheels" (Oreos), "Fireman's hoses" (red licorice wheels) and "extinguishers" (water bottles).  How is my baby 3 already?  I feel like we have turned a corner and we have two big kids now.  Although, Cashion still wants to snuggle, so that is a bonus.

Snow in Santa Fe

Snow Angels

It snowed overnight as soon as we arrived

Bundled up in the Square

Snow ball fights

Happy New Years!

Adobe Gingerbread Houses

Making Snowmen

Catching snowflakes

We had such a fun and relaxing trip to Santa Fe.  The kids loved playing in the snow, which was our main objective for the trip.  Jamie and Courtney's home was adorable and the perfect size for us.  We made a fire in the fireplace, cooked dinner to celebrate New Year's Eve, and played in the snow in the courtyard.  When we ventured out, we enjoyed shopping around the Square, eating delicious green chilies, tasting delicious hot chocolate, visiting the Georgia O'Keefe museum, and "sledding" on plastic storage bins.  Thanks to Bebe's help, Matt and I enjoyed a New Year's cocktail downtown and the Japanese spa, Ten Thousand Waves.  Our first road trip was a huge success and gives us confidence to try it again.

Christmas Morning

 Christmas morning breakfast with Santa's presents at our house will ALL the grandparents and great-grandmother.  Then, to Bebe and Papa's house for lunch with the extended Tingley clan.  The cousins really enjoyed playing with each other.

Christmas Eve

As is our family tradition, we ate tamales at Bebe and Papa's house and attended the Christmas Eve service at church.  Then, we headed home to put on our Christmas Jammies and read "The Night Before Christmas" by the tree.  I love this time of year.

Trail of Lights

The Trail of Lights was back this year and we enjoyed a beautiful (though crowded) walk through the park.

North Pole Flyer

We rode the North Pole Flyer, a historic steam train turned Christmas event in Cedar Park, this year.  Cashion loves trains so we thought it would be a hit.  It was, though he wouldn't sit in Santa's lap, but it was a little long (3 hours).  They do a good job with keeping it interesting, Mrs. Claus passing out cookies, hot cocoa, and a story about the train.

Our little choir angel

Sadie is loving being in the Children's Choir at church.  Her favorite part...the performance of course.  Bebe made the beautiful angel costume for their Christmas musical.  Cashion loved it too, can't you tell?

Cutting down the tree

We headed out to Elgin Christmas Tree Farm again this year after another yummy BBQ lunch.  The weather was beautiful, if not a little bit windy.  Daddy was the hero and cut it down with a few short saw passes.  Here is the finished product after the kids helped us decorate.

Breakfast with Santa

Bebe and I took Cashion to Breakfast with Santa at A Christmas Affiar.  The line to have his picture taken with Santa was too long, so we enjoyed some waffles, cookie decorating and music.

Mother-Daughter Christmas Tea

We visited the Caswell house to have tea while it was decorated for Christmas.  Sadie loved getting dressed up and acting "fancy."

Christmas Lights

We took a LONG road trip to see some Christmas Lights in Belton while Dana and Ian were visiting.  Ian got to see a real small town Texas Christmas.