The son he never had......

These two have been thick as thieves since Tyson was an chubby little baby. He always had a fascination with Grandpa. Well now that fascination has become such a strong love. They are the best of friends (as long as Grandpa is not teasing him or beating him at ANY sort of game). These pictures don't begin to capture all of the fun these two had over the last 7 days, the night time stories, the laughs and giggles, the hikes on the trails or the sleep over in the playroom. Tyson had a fantastic time and I'm pretty sure Dad did too!

"CHEERS" to Dad finally getting his boy!

Christmas Morning Chaos, 2010

This Christmas was special for the Lucas family. It was our first Christmas in Oklahoma and the kids first Christmas not in San Antonio. It was also COLD, as in freezing! Unlike most of our South Texas Christmas mornings. We were so fortunate Mom and Dad made the trip up here. The kids have never had a Christmas morning without them and were so glad they were here. They made it extra special.

The kids had very different requests for Santa this year. Tyson didn't ask for one single toy. He asked for an Ipod, a NorthFace jacket and he wanted books about "science stuff." I was a little reluctant about the jacket because of the cost and him being only 6 but then Mom reminded me of the Guess jeans and Dooney and Burke purse I had to have when I was in elementary school. Thank you Mother. Anyway, this year Tyson got up at 6:30 but just went and sat in the living room while he took inventory of his Santa gifts. We finally let him wake up Em around 8.

He was so psyched about his his Ipod Shuffle, Santa even put an Itunes gift card in his stocking. Santa rocks!




My princess didn't have many requests from the the big guy this year. She wanted a watch and a GPS. Don't get me started on the GPS. It all began when we we first moved here. Her and I got lost a couple times, and not really lost, just turned around. And I may have mentioned in my frustrated moment that Daddy had the stinkin GPS with him in his truck. So I guess she figured if she had one then her and I wouldn't get lost. Ok, anyway........Santa did not bring her a GPS. Instead he brought her a dollhouse, lots of play jewelry, a talking princess mirror and play food for her kitchen.


Oh yeah, what was Santa thinking? He brought her an entire "band in a box." Complete with drums and symbols!!!
My two favorite guys hanging out in the COLD trying out the new telescope from Aunt Jenn. And they match. I'm a sucker for the matching clothes.

It was a fabulous Christmas and I couldn't ask for more. I t would have been nice if Jenn could have been here too. But I understand why she couldn't. Next Christmas it's on with all of the Garcias.

getting ready for the BIG day

There are some things we have done the last few Christmases and have become traditions. I always let them make a big bowl of "reindeer munch," it's actually a holiday trail mix for the kids. It has all the essentials: popcorn, marshmallows, red and green M&M's, and pretzels (however, I used salty goldfish this year). Regardless, the kids like to pour each thing and mix it up. They work on that while Mom and I prepare Christmas Eve dinner.

mixing

he is supposed to be adding the marshmallows to the bowl, but if you look closely you can see a small white puff sticking out of his mouth

still adding marshmallows

all done

Now it was time for Gingerbread house 101

Now usually I buy the ones that are pre-assembled, but this year for some CRAZY reason I purchased the one that required us to actually construct the house.

Last thing on the Christmas Eve agenda: leave cookies and egg nog for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph and then say goodbye to Ernie, our visiting Elf. See ya next December 1st.

Oh how I've missed playing with my camera.....

As soon as the Christmas holidays are over, the tree is put away and I'm done with all of this moving and unpacking business............it's time to get back to working on my photog skills.

While every one was occupied today I decided to get out the camera and play with it.

I just love my tree decorations and I LOVE the pinks!!!

cupcakes!

more cupcakes!

gumdrops!

Blood, Sweat and Cookies.....

It's no secret that I LOVE to bake. So Christmas time is like the Superbowl of baking for me. This year I couldn't wait to dive in to my new kitchen and whip up some cookies for all of my sweet new neighbors.

Emmy was pretty interested in being a part of the baking and really wanted to help.

Even though her idea of helping meant rolling out her own 3 inch piece of cookie dough and stabbing it uncontrollably with the end of her little rolling pin, I was still happy she had an interest in my favorite pastime.

Tyson would come in just to decorate. He can't pass up some icing and sprinkles.

Little Miss checking on the cookies. She loves that my oven light button is right at her level
.

Ta Da!!!

snow capped little trees

decorated sugar

a family tradition, pan de Polvo or also known as reposteria
I make these every year. You can read more about them here.

Packaged and ready for delivery!

Two days worth of baking and at least six months worth of calories, Merry Christmas!!!

An evening in B town

BRICKtown that is. The entertainment area of downtown Oklahoma City is called Bricktown. It was so cute all lit up and had some good restaurants too. We took Anne and Jim down there to celebrate Anne's birthday. She wanted Mexican food for dinner and we knew just the place.





Abuelos!!! Paul and I have missed Abuelos since we moved from the DFW area almost 8 years ago. Imagine our excitement to find out that we were going to have access to one in Oklahoma.

And we finished the evening off with some high stakes Wii bowling. Thanks Grandma Anne and Grandpa Jim for the family Christmas gift, I think wii will all enjoy it.