Stomp Rocket Fun

We spent a lovely Spring afternoon in the park today (wait it is December!). Lucy and Gracie had to take the new rocket. It was lots of fun. They were the hit of the park.

I finally remembered that Chris has video capability on his camera. So watch out bloggy world, here comes live-action fun from the Varnells!

Christmas Morning...

We spent Christmas morning with my parents and brother. Since Sassy and Justin were in Nebraska for Christmas this year, we are having our Evans Christmas after New Year's. It was a really relaxing, fun, and food-filled day.

After we checked out the rest of Santa's goodies, we had yummy Cinnamon rolls and scrambled eggs, a Christmas tradition. Then we hung out and played with the kid's toys. Lucy got a stomp rocket from Poppy and Granny and Gracie got a really cute dollhouse. They both spent hours playing with their new treasures.

For lunch, we had gumbo. My grandmother used to make it at the holidays, so it was a nice treat!

It was a really great day, but a little sad. My parents were in the midst of packing for their big move. I can't believe that will be my last time to see my childhood home. We made so many happy memories there. I hope the next family is as blessed!

We are looking forward to next weekend, when we have our final Christmas celebration. Gotta love it when you get to stretch out the fun for two whole weeks!!!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve...

We always spend Christmas Eve with Chris' side of the family. Lucy and Gracie love playing with their cousins and we love relaxing. This year was no exception. We had a great Mexican Christmas dinner with enchiladas, tamales, beans, and, of course, margaritas. It was so yummy!

As always, Santa made a stop at the house during his big night. Lucy was so excited and so sweet to Santa. Gracie wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. It is so fun to watch the kids faces when he comes in the door. After Santa left, there were even more presents. Lucy is reading for Nashville with a new guitar and karaoke machine. Gracie got a stroller and ride on car, that are sure to keep her busy for hours.

P.S. Do you notice how much prettier my indoor pictures are? My awesome hubby got me a sweet new external flash for my camera. I LOVE IT and HIM!

Countdown to Christmas

We did so many fun things in the days leading up to Christmas. We had a cookie making party with Sassy, we went to Fairfield for a Christmas party with our friends, checked out the lights and Santa at the new mall, played in the snow (in South Texas!) and opened our family presents. I took tons of pictures, but I am just going to add a few here.

As I posted earlier, I am really behind and have decided on the condensed version instead of the long drawn out version. Hope no one is too disappointed :).

Christmas Vacation

I have really been slacking lately on the blogging... I keep using the same "too busy" excuse, but I think I just need to face it. I am just having a hard time finding things to write about.

I am in a bit of a blogging slump. I am way behind in getting my pictures uploaded and edited. I can't seem to find the time or energy to get it down on the blog. I just don't feel like my blogging self.

So, I am declaring myself on vacation. I will be back and better than ever (and with a million pictures) after Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you all. May it be the best one yet!

Lucy's Christmas Program

These are just a few of the pictures from Lucy's school program yesterday. The had a musical program in the sanctuary with all the 3, 4, and 5 year olds. She sang several songs. The picture quality is horrible. It is next to impossible to get a picture from the very back without red eyes. There were at least 200 camera flashes going off at the same time. And the blur is the small little boy that refused to sit down in front of me and decided to try and look down my camera for much of the program.

Then her class had their only little play in a smaller chapel. Lucy was a shepherd and even had to recite a line. I wish I could figure out how to get the video off my camera, cause it is priceless. I have never seen a kid with so much raw talent for the stage (maybe I am a bit biased!). She was so cute. We watched it several times at dinner tonight! She couldn't get enough of herself on the big screen. Even Gracie was very entertained by her cameo at the end.

Then, we all went back to her classroom for the class party. There was lots of food, people, crafts, sugar, people, and people. There were about 25 people in a 15X15 room. It was a little cozy.

V-town Christmas

We had our annual Christmas get together this weekend with all my girlfriends from Victoria that now live in Houston. We had a bigger group this year than last. As always, it was so fun to see everyone and catch up on our day to day lives. It is definitely one of the highlights of the holiday season! Thanks to Kara and Frank for hosting!

Christmas Card Rejects...

It is that time again in our house... The annual Christmas card photo op! Every year, I go crazy trying to get the perfect pictures for our Christmas cards. It is one of my favorite holiday traditions. I love getting cards and letters in the mail and love having the perfect card to send out.

The girls did great during their individual pictures, but when it came time to get one of them together... it was like all heck was breaking loose. I tried every trick in the book, but could never get them to cooperate. I finally had to pretend to cry and that finally got them laughing. Mommy's misery is more entertaining than candy, movies, or gifts...

These are the pics that didn't make the cut, but are still pretty cute!

Christmas Overload

Now that we have all the painting done, I have to say I was really excited about the holiday decorating. It is so fun for me every year, but a new house has kicked it up a notch. Lucy helped me this year and I think she enjoyed it almost as much as I did. She would put something out and then move it six times until it was perfect... Just like me. Here are just a few of the items on display...