All this Christmas-ing really does a number on a growing boy!

Christmas Eve began with a trip to church. We were lucky to attend a children's service at our church that had puppets for the kids during the story of Jesus' birth, and glow sticks (instead of candles) for the kids to hold during Silent Night at the end of the service. It was the best service we could have gone to with these two boys. They had a great time, and we didn't have to worry about them disturbing anyone else.

Afterwards we went to Grandma and Grandpa Giffhorn's house for dinner and opening gifts. Aunt Jennifer was in town (we haven't seen her since last Christmas), so that was a special treat. Here is a picture of Aunt Lisa, Braeden, Aunt Jennifer, and Austin.

Grandpas are so much fun. Especially if they are really tall like ours is!

Christmas morning began with Austin coming out of his room and looking downstairs then yelling, "Look Mommy, Jesus is here!!" Baby Jesus was born on Christmas eve while the boys slept, and he appeared in our nativity on Christmas morning. Austin was so excited. Then he noticed that Santa had been there. He ran over to the plate of cookies and milk we left for Santa, then polished off the leftover cookies. Looked at the carrots that we left for Rudolph and noticed they had been munched on too. We got Braeden out of bed, then they opened presents like experts. They were so excited, and Andy and I loved watching every minute of their joy. But we have a serious problem with the toy companies and their overuse of twist ties in the packaging. I mean seriously, how many twist ties do you need on a toy to hold it in place? And why must they be tied so short that we get injuries from untying them? The people at NASA could probably come up with something better in a manner of minutes, and I think I speak for all the parents out there when I say we would pay a couple of extra bucks to buy a toy that was easy to remove from the package.

Uncle Ben, Daddy, Braeden, Austin, Mommy, Mimi, and Pops

So, the other night, while we were eating dinner, we noticed there was some white stuff on the fence. It was sleet (or at least that's what mom thought). Mom, wanting us to experience it, but not to go out in the "rain" went out and scooped up as much as she could off the fence to make a snowball for each of us to play with inside. As normal, we went up to get a bath and put on our pjs after that.

After we read our book and were about to go to bed, we went to close the shutters, and what did we see outside???

SNOW!!! Not just a little bit. Big, fluffy, white snowflakes. The grass, the trees, the plants, everything covered with snow! No way is this Houston, Texas thought mom. Knowing this was a miracle, and not going to happen again soon, more than likely, mom put our boots, jackets, and hats on over our pjs, and we went out to play in the snow.

Austin kept catching snowflakes in his mouth, and then telling me they needed sugar!

Finally, Braeden let go of Mommy's leg long enough to latch on to Daddy for a couple of days. Aren't they a couple of cute guys?

Howdy partners. I am an authentic, real-live, serious, rope-wranglin', horse-ridin', gold-seekin', C-O-W-B-O-Y! Thanks Hope and Hardt for a great gift, Austin LOVES to be a cowboy, and this outfit comes with everything a cowboy needs but the horse!

Austin turned three this week, and it is hard to believe he is so big already! He started the day with his three-shaped pancake, a tradition in our house. Then later that afternoon, we had his party at Chuck E Cheese. He loves this place, and despite the craziness (there were so many birthday kids there!), he had so much fun. He got to play games, eat pizza, dance with Chuck E, have cake, and open presents. After blowing out the candle, as Mommy was passing out the cake, Austin grabbed a second cupcake all by himself. He was so proud of the fact that he helped himself to more....and the fact that he got two cupcakes! He opened presents like a pro, with paper and tissue paper flying around everywhere. It was a fun time. Thanks to all our family and friends who were able to make it.

Squeezable!

We had a wonderful Turkey Day in Bryan at Daddy's Cousin Kristen's house on the farm. The boys were thrilled to be able to get on a real horse and see the cows. Evelyn and Claire even took Austin fishing in the pond. What a wonderful place to live. We are so thankful for our family, our friends, our home, and many many blessings God has given us!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi everyone, it's me Austin. I got to go to Chic-Fil-A to see two of my very favorite people (well veggies), Bob and Larry. I love the Veggie Tales (I call them Meggie Tales). If you have never heard "The Hairbrush Song" by Larry, you simply MUST listen to it right now!!! Not a day goes by that we don't sing this song in my house. Even Braeden sings it with us. He came with us to see Bob and Larry, but he would not get anywhere near them. It was a fun time.

The day after Halloween, Austin and Daddy (Mommy couldn't go because she was with Braeden who was sick) got to go to Austin's first Aggie football game. He started the game like any good Aggie would by tailgating.

Austin LOVED the marching band. He keeps asking to sing the Aggie War Hymn, and he knew to sway when they sang, "Saw Varsity's horns off, saw Varsity's horns off...."

After leaving the game (which the Aggies did actually win!!), Austin stopped by to pay respects to past Miss Revilles. Notice the form he has when doing the Gig 'Em. I think I see a future Aggie there!!

This football game stuff is exhausting. Good thing I have this hat to shade myself from the sun so I can sleep the whole way home. Gig 'Em Aggies!!!!

Halloween this year had a whole new feel about it since Austin was so excited to go trick or treating for candy. He has started to love to pretend to be different characters, so dressing in his Spiderman costume was a hit! Honestly, I didn't think he would wear the mask, but he didn't want to take it off! Here we are at Jackson's house for a pre-trick or treating play party. Getting these kids to sit still for the camera was just not happening.

You would be so happy to see this sweet Batman save your city wouldn't you? Even Braeden wore the mask....which is surprising, because he won't wear hats!

Notice the super hero stance. Every time I told Austin to look at me, I was going to take a picture, he struck this pose.

Daddy made a special trip home from work the night before Halloween to eat dinner with us then carve our jack-o-lantern. Austin and Braeden were so excited. Here is Daddy "encouraging" Austin's hand to touch the inside of the pumpkin. See, it's not so bad?!

And here is Austin's ever-so-unhappy reaction to Daddy's gentle nudging. Maybe next year he'll help scoop the gunk out. Braeden didn't mind touching the stuff, but he wanted to eat it. That kid will eat anything!

Owen and Avery came over to play with us. They are superfun!!

These two guys have a lot in common.

Braeden watching football. It looks like he is about to throw his arms up and yell, "Touchdown!"

Austin saving the world before bed in his superman pj's. Thanks Aunt Kelly! He loves them, and wants to wear them to bed every night since they light up!

We went for our annual trip to the pumpkin patch, which is also a Christmas tree farm. Austin remembered the train ride before we even got there. It was a blast, as always.

Our little pumpkins!