As always, Christmas in the Self family starts early and is filled with traditions. The first of many is going to see Santa. This year there were 2 more babies than last year! Charlotte was born the day 
after we saw Santa last year and Claire's new too. We went to Discover Mills and we had a little bit of a wait, so Sarah Grace and Payton wrote letters to 
Santa while we waited. Mom and Dad, and Nani and Pawpaw went with us so there were plenty of distractions to keep the girls happy until it was our turn. When it was time for us to go, the Gadd girls went first. Santa was very sweet and we got some great pictures with Claire. When Payton joined them she was very unsure. All it took to get her warmed up (but not totally) was a lollipop and then she was ready for pics. After they were done it was Charlotte's turn. When I first tried to hand her to Santa, he stopped me. He said he had seen "that look" before and just wanted to talk to her for a second before I left her. So, he talked to her for second and then I sat her on his lap. She thought about crying but before she could Santa pulled out big gold pocket watch and popped it open. She was in aw. He was a great Santa - so sweet! Then it was time for the old pro to talk to Santa. Sarah Grace climbed right up with Charlotte and told Santa everything on her list.
The next family night was cookie night - one of my favorites!! Every year since before we were married Adam and I have made and decorated sugar cookies...and the tradition has continued with Sarah Grace. She actually was much better at this year than prior years. She did great with the cookie cutters and was quite thoughtful when it came to icing and decoration the cookies. But all she really wanted was the finished product. I can't blame her!
After cookie night, it was Sarah Grace's school pageant. She had been running around the house practicing for weeks and we were anxious to see the the program. She was so excited and told us 
she was going to be the tinsel on the tree, but we weren't quite sure what she meant. When she came out she (and all the kids in her class) were wearing green shirts and they were individually decorated like parts
of the tree...and she was the gold tinsel. There were ornaments, lights, gifts and a star. Their class song was "O Christmas Tree". She sang great, when she was singing and not visiting with other kids. She was quite the social butterfly. She'd sing a little and then talk to a friend, and then sing and wave and yell at us in the audience. At one point she saw my dad standing to take a picture and she yelled out, "Pawpaw sit on your bottom!"...and it was loud enough for us to hear. She also had a bit of a cold, so she improvised and used her tinsel as a tissue, several times. We got it all on video! 
she was going to be the tinsel on the tree, but we weren't quite sure what she meant. When she came out she (and all the kids in her class) were wearing green shirts and they were individually decorated like parts
of the tree...and she was the gold tinsel. There were ornaments, lights, gifts and a star. Their class song was "O Christmas Tree". She sang great, when she was singing and not visiting with other kids. She was quite the social butterfly. She'd sing a little and then talk to a friend, and then sing and wave and yell at us in the audience. At one point she saw my dad standing to take a picture and she yelled out, "Pawpaw sit on your bottom!"...and it was loud enough for us to hear. She also had a bit of a cold, so she improvised and used her tinsel as a tissue, several times. We got it all on video! This year was our year to be in Texas for Christmas so we had to
do the Lord Christmas early. We all met for dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then went to Mom 
and Dad's for gifts and dessert. Sarah Grace and Payton were so excited to open presents! We were able to get a few pics before the mayhem began and then it was a free-for-all of wrapping paper and toys. All the girls got really sweet gifts and had a ball playing with each other's toys. Adam and I had a great night too, and got lots of great gifts. It was a fun night with family.
do the Lord Christmas early. We all met for dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then went to Mom 
and Dad's for gifts and dessert. Sarah Grace and Payton were so excited to open presents! We were able to get a few pics before the mayhem began and then it was a free-for-all of wrapping paper and toys. All the girls got really sweet gifts and had a ball playing with each other's toys. Adam and I had a great night too, and got lots of great gifts. It was a fun night with family.Off to Grandma's we went! We spent 10 days in Texas and Oklahoma over the holidays. We flew in on the 21st and came back the 30th, and it was a PACKED 10 days! We started by going to Kemah, on the coast and spending the day at the boardwalk. They have lots of great restaurants and rides for the kids and you can watch the boats coming and going. We hadn't been there since Sarah Grace was 2 years old. We all ate lunch at Joe's Crab Shack and then rode the train that goes around the boardwalk. Charlotte had a ball. Every time the train would "toot" she'd say, "toot, toot" and she thought all the bystanders were waving at her. Sarah Grace enjoyed it too. 
Tyler, Lauren (Lollie) and baby Ava came in on Sunday evening. Ava is so sweet (we hadn't seen her since she was 3 weeks old)! 
The next day was Christmas eve and we all went to a really nice steakhouse and had lunch. Afterwards, Adam and I took Sarah 
Grace to the park for a while and then we piled into the car and went to my favorite place in Texas, the Houston Mounted Patrol Stables. There are 50 -60 beautiful police horses and it's open to the public. We walked around and fed them treats and gave them lots of love (at least I did)! After that we met up with Tyler and Lauren at Starbucks and then was off to look at Christmas lights. When we got home we put the girls into their Christmas pj's and started the "night before" rituals. We put out brownies and milk for Santa and then Sarah Grace went outside to sprinkle reindeer food (oatmeal mixed with glitter) for Rudolph and the gang. Then it was time to get tucked in before the big guy came!
The next day was Christmas eve and we all went to a really nice steakhouse and had lunch. Afterwards, Adam and I took Sarah 
Grace to the park for a while and then we piled into the car and went to my favorite place in Texas, the Houston Mounted Patrol Stables. There are 50 -60 beautiful police horses and it's open to the public. We walked around and fed them treats and gave them lots of love (at least I did)! After that we met up with Tyler and Lauren at Starbucks and then was off to look at Christmas lights. When we got home we put the girls into their Christmas pj's and started the "night before" rituals. We put out brownies and milk for Santa and then Sarah Grace went outside to sprinkle reindeer food (oatmeal mixed with glitter) for Rudolph and the gang. Then it was time to get tucked in before the big guy came!The reindeer led Santa straight to us! Santa left all kind of goodies for both of the girls and as 
soon as they came into the den they both went immediately to their gifts. Charlotte inspected everything. She picked up each 
little thing and would look at it, bang on it, and there were several "ooo wow's". Sarah Grace was thrilled. There was a definite theme to her Christmas, Barbie Island Princess. She got the dolls, the costume, you name it. Unfortunately, she was a little puzzled by Santa omitting a couple of things she was expecting. She walked around the den and coffee table looking for her dollhouse furniture and princess game, neither of which "Santa" was aware were such high gift priorities...oops. We reminded her that her birthday was coming up and then she was okay and started going through her stocking. After all the gifts were opened (which seemed to take hours), it was time play! Lauren and SG played Barbies, makeup, and dress-up, and Grandmommy read the girls stories. Charlotte played with everything, her toys, SG's toys, Ava like she was toy, wrapping paper, empty boxes.... the list goes on. 
soon as they came into the den they both went immediately to their gifts. Charlotte inspected everything. She picked up each 
little thing and would look at it, bang on it, and there were several "ooo wow's". Sarah Grace was thrilled. There was a definite theme to her Christmas, Barbie Island Princess. She got the dolls, the costume, you name it. Unfortunately, she was a little puzzled by Santa omitting a couple of things she was expecting. She walked around the den and coffee table looking for her dollhouse furniture and princess game, neither of which "Santa" was aware were such high gift priorities...oops. We reminded her that her birthday was coming up and then she was okay and started going through her stocking. After all the gifts were opened (which seemed to take hours), it was time play! Lauren and SG played Barbies, makeup, and dress-up, and Grandmommy read the girls stories. Charlotte played with everything, her toys, SG's toys, Ava like she was toy, wrapping paper, empty boxes.... the list goes on. The next day it was off to Dallas. Tyler and Lauren are halfway between Houston and OK City. So, we drove there and spent the night and then drove the rest of the way to Oklahoma the next 
day. It was quite an eventful start to our trip. About 20 minutes after we left their house that morning, SG got SEVERLY carsick and we had to pull over and clean everything (and redress her)! While doing that, Charlotte had a horrible upset stomach and we had to fix that. THEN, when we were about to pull away, we noticed Charlotte was bleeding from her mouth! We have no idea what happened but, once we got her cleaned up, we were finally off to OK. We met
all of Adam's extended family for lunch and then went back to his Grandmother's house for gifts. It was really good to see everyone (since it had been 3 years) and they were so all generous with the gifts they gave both the girls. Sarah Grace was in heaven because it was all Ariel! The next morning we 
all met back at his Grandmother's for breakfast. During the night it has snowed (a little) and SG was dying to get outside and play! We took both the girls out for a few minutes and got some pictures and then it was time to get back in the car for the 9 hour trip back to Houston. Yes, we traveled at least 4 hours, or more, in the car for 3 days straight. Sarah Grace did great but Charlotte was OVER IT, which meant mommy and daddy were too! We made really good time and it was nice to get back to Houston and have a couple of days to unwind (and go back the the HPD stables) before we had to go home. It really was a great trip. 
day. It was quite an eventful start to our trip. About 20 minutes after we left their house that morning, SG got SEVERLY carsick and we had to pull over and clean everything (and redress her)! While doing that, Charlotte had a horrible upset stomach and we had to fix that. THEN, when we were about to pull away, we noticed Charlotte was bleeding from her mouth! We have no idea what happened but, once we got her cleaned up, we were finally off to OK. We met
all of Adam's extended family for lunch and then went back to his Grandmother's house for gifts. It was really good to see everyone (since it had been 3 years) and they were so all generous with the gifts they gave both the girls. Sarah Grace was in heaven because it was all Ariel! The next morning we 
all met back at his Grandmother's for breakfast. During the night it has snowed (a little) and SG was dying to get outside and play! We took both the girls out for a few minutes and got some pictures and then it was time to get back in the car for the 9 hour trip back to Houston. Yes, we traveled at least 4 hours, or more, in the car for 3 days straight. Sarah Grace did great but Charlotte was OVER IT, which meant mommy and daddy were too! We made really good time and it was nice to get back to Houston and have a couple of days to unwind (and go back the the HPD stables) before we had to go home. It really was a great trip. 
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