Christmas in Texas 2012

 I always love seeing the 4 story-tall tree in the Galleria shopping center each year. It is stunning!

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Another thing we did to get into the Christmas spirit was make gingerbread man cookies and a gingerbread house. Zach is my sweet little cooking helper in the kitchen! 

The night before trip to Utah, the children were delighted to open a few generous gifts from Corey's internship preceptor. They were so excited, and we could've called it good for toys right then and there!

We had our own little family Christmas the day we left. Corey and I stayed up the night before assembling doll furniture, Zach's new bike, and a cardboard spaceship.

 Superdad!!

 The morning of our Christmas, we watched the church Luke 2 video that shows Mary, Joseph, and Jesus on that sacred night. We also used my porcelain nativity pieces to enact the scene. Then we headed into the living room...

 Zoey loved her doll furniture and immediately picked the baby up, put her in the bed, and said, "Nap."

 I love how Zach is all excited about this Disney book while his new bike is in the background!! He could probably use a little more outdoor, athletic time than he gets.... I prefer reading inside with him.

It was a memorable, sweet day for our family--the first of three Christmases we celebrated this year. Our kids are getting to the really fun ages of loving the lights (which Zoey excitedly called "colorlights"), the gifts, the stories, and all the things that make Christmas special.