Christmas iin Oklahoma...

When we pulled into town, we quickly got bundled up & headed to Ft. Smith to meet my good friend, Jana & her family for a train ride in the park ...we quickly learned it was already closed...boooo! Not to be discouraged (and let hopeful kids down), we found an alternate. Instead of an actual train, the fireman of Liberty did a fantastic job of turning a 4-wheeler into their version of a train! I just love Oklahoma!!!
We had just as much fun, got to spend time with a dear friend, drink hot chocolate & look at lights.... perfect!!!
Jana looked fantastic!!! Her hair is starting to grow back, she's recovering from a final surgery, is back at work and was in the best spirits!!!!

Mom couldn't resist giving the girls more presents to open when we got there...

Christmas Eve at my Grannie's...

My Aunt Kathy will probably kill me for posting this, but HOW could I resist!!!! And, NO! that isn't her hair. My cousin, Clint, who is follically challenged wears this visor with a built-in do!

Kella & Gabriel

Here's the little ones opening their gift...

Kella getting Princess & the Frog movie

And her princess book with mini cd player

This was too funny...

Ryan received a HUGE teddy bear, which she, well, you can judge by her reaction...

hugs...

more hugs...

Aunt Wanda's family. Our biggest bunch - 2 kids, 4 grand kids (1 not pictured) & 3 great-grand kids (1 not pictured).

Uncle Jimmie's family. These pictures are always the hardest to take. Such a reminder of who is missing...our sweet Matthew!

Aunt Kathy & Uncle Tommy. Their boys were at their in-laws & working. Missed them both this year.

Our family...missing Bran & his family (sniff)

The 4 girls always get a gift from their brother & his family. This year was picture collages filled with old pictures of their parents, Grannie & Papa Dale.

All aboard!!!!!

To the North Pole Express, that is!

We, along with our neighbors, took our girls to Grapevine, TX a few days before Christmas for this magical train ride!
The kids (and some parents, too) wore their pajamas, just to make it feel a little more like a bedtime story.

Claire-bear wasn't quite so interested in getting her picture taken...

Sweet sisters!

Can't really see it, but once you entered the cedar tree maze it was snowing like crazy!!!

Boarding the "real train"!

Here's are "ticket puncher", not quite sure what his actual title it, but he went to each passenger & punched their ticket. Kella thought he was pretty awesome!

The Miller's

Ryan LOVED her bell. The "big guy" himself passed out special Christmas bells to each child.

There he was....Kella could not hardly contain herself. They made his entrance so magical, she couldn't quite figure out how he got on that train (since we were moving and all) but she completely mystified!!!

Look how great he looks! He had the most amazing white eyebrows! I just love Christmas!!!

Kick-off to family Christmas's...

I guess part of getting married is combining families and with that, their traditions.... this year marked a change for our family. My brother wouldn't be at my Grannie's for mom's side of the family, so we decided to get everyone together the weekend before Christmas at our house! I was so excited to host. Mom & Skip arrived pretty early to help get our dinner prepared. Here's Kella & her Gibbie making some of the desserts. (Kella in true form - a princess dress, no doubt. Looks like today's choice was purple!)

Kella helping Skip with his gifts.

Kella could hardly contain herself as she opened her new collection of princess shoes.

Ryan seemed to like Cash's presents more than hers...

Lovin' on his new pillow pet...

Cash's new tricycle... Kella brought hers in shortly after and the two went round & round the living room, it was great night with the family. We loved having everyone here!