Matt, Ashley and Lennon: December 2009

This year we went to Texas for Christmas. Matt's sister, Nikki, usually comes out to CA for Christmas with her husband and their 3 kids, but this year we all made the trip out there. Papa(Matt's dad), Grammy(Matt's mom), Matt, Lennon and I left a week before Christmas, luckily we had a direct flight from Sacramento to Dallas. Lennon did O.K. on the flight there. She was a little fussy the last hour or so, and fell asleep about a half hour before we landed. The first weekend we were there Matt, his dad, and Brent(his brother in law) went to a hunting ranch. Both Matt and his dad caught a deer. Luckily the hunting ranch butchered it and mounted the antlers, so we didn't have to figure out a way to get it home. So, we should have a box arriving soon full of deer stuff. While the guys were away hunting, we took all the kids to go see Santa at the Fire Department. Lennon was not a fan of Santa. Unfortunately, Matt had my camera, Robin(Matt's Mom) had left hers in Sacramento, and Nikki's was having memory card problems, so I don't have the Santa picture to post, but they did take a picture there and said they would email it to me...but I am still waiting, so I will post it when it comes! We did a lot of shopping while we were there. Robin, Nikki and I took Matt's niece, Karlee, to the American Girl Store and Bistro for a surprise lunch. She had no idea, and was so excited when we got in the parking lot and realized what we were doing there. She was even more excited when Nikki pulled out her doll. So, we all had lunch at the Bistro there, American Girl Doll in her high chair and all! We also went to Fort Worth one day. Nikki and I took all 4 kids to the Fort Worth Stockyard to see the cattle drive. Nikki and the kids rode the mechanical bull, and we all did a maze that was on the show The Amazing Race 4. We didn't finish, we gave up to see the end of the cattle drive and we were all hungry. We had lunch there at a BBQ place, and made our way back to the car. There was a store called Leddy Boots there, so I had Nikki take a picture of Lennon and I before we left. Christmas Eve was eventful. We went to Fort Worth the previous day, and it was nearly 80 degrees. We woke up on Christmas Eve to snow. It is the strangest thing. Nikki said that if you don't like the weather in Texas, give it an hour and it will be different. She was right. So, Matt, Karlee, Nikki and I made a snow man in their front yard. We were quite the sight. It was freezing and we were trying to use cookie sheets to collect snow...I am sure their neighbors that we were crazy, but all that matters is that we made a snow man! We had a huge dinner with some family and some of their friends and TONS of kids. After dinner, we tracked Santa and then it was off to bed. Christmas morning, Lennon was the first one up, which surprised me being in a house with a 9 year old, a 6 year old and a 2 year old. When I was their age, I would have already been through my stocking! We all opened presents and then it was on to breakfast. Nikki wanted me to make Cinnamon Rolls and Orange Rolls for breakfast, which I had never made before. She made the cinnamon and I made the orange roll, and they actually turned out really good! I might make it a tradition in our house...Orange Cinnamon Rolls Christmas Morning! We flew out that night, and Lennon was out the entire flight...which seemed to take twice as long as the flight there! The next day we went to my parents house for more presents and dinner with my mom's side of the family. All in all, we had an amazing Christmas...and as much as I can't wait to see Lennon's face next year, when she actually understand Santa and all the presents a little better, my wallet is dreading it! But I am sure it will all be worth it. I know I am a few days late but,

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night!