Lets start with a BANG

Recap of our holiday whereabouts!  Highlights of Christmas:  My grandma flew into Texas two weeks before the 24th and I was all done with my Christmas shopping weeks before the 25!!!  It was a relief because I had other things to worry about, like, what will we eat on Christmas eve.  We just couldn't eat another turkey or ham- we were done with the Thanksgiving feast!  I was thinking of seafood, my grandma was ok with a lasagna, my parents were probably thinking of popusas and Gabe was like whatever!  Then on the 23rd, I see Gabe digging through recipe books, in the seafood section and asks me what do I think about Cioppino (It's an Italian fish stew)?  My face brightened up and I said, "I would love Cioppino, but where are you gonna get big crabs."   Next morning, I called my mom super worried and completely not trusting my husband's capabilities to cook a good meal.  I was so close asking her to make the Cioppino, but I held back and just asked her where Gabe can get all the seafood and to help with the cost.  To sum up our evening on the 24th-  we had a FaBuLoUs Christmas meal!  Gabe is awesome- why did I doubt, he always cooks a good meal!  

After our dinner, we prayed, read Luke 2:10 and Hannah placed Jesus in the manager (a tradition my sister and I did when we were kids.  My mom still has this beautiful porcelain baby Jesus).  And of course, we all opened our presents!!!!

Hannah is sporting her new nightgown and Gabe's new rain boots

Lulu's first rocking horse



The girls with their papa on Christmas day.



A few days after Christmas, we set off for a road trip to Louisiana!!  My sister-in law lives in Shreveport and we always have a good time visiting her.  I just love my sister in law and both our kids are close in age- so it's all fun and games.....and some fighting to, lol!  The night before we headed home the guys and Hannah had a blast with the firecrackers. For the first time Hannah wasn't scared and was right there with the guys setting them off.  Mila (my 3 yr old niece) was scared of the noise and watched from inside.  The babies don't have a clue whats going on, but they weren't scared of the noise!  It was fun!!!!     

Hannah & Mila at Bass Pro Shop.  Love the tree!!!

Gabe, his sister and the girls

Love this picture of my Lulu

Cute photo of the babies.

Smile!  On the trolley!

Gabe walked while we took the trolley to other side of the boardwalk

Let the fun begin! Look at all those firecrackers!

Gabe's & Hannah's first one

Loud, but still fun

Yup, I'm still having fun ;)

Look at them- so intent on getting them open & making some noise!

Christian!!!!! He is so cute and not even scared- he wanted to be in the middle of it.



What a show

Love these two!  Christian was always taking food away from Lulu so that he can feed her.

Now, she's holding onto her cookie

She still has her cookie on one hand, but is gladly letting her cousin feed her!