And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again...

 I say it every year! If ever a line from a Christmas song rings true, it's this one! Back to school for the boys tomorrow and work for me. Wish our puppies luck without a house full of chaos. Here's the last of our pictures from the last month and a half. 

Nerf gun battle for Daxton's birthday. 

Ollie's class celebrating with "ugly mask" day.

Ollie's class 

Hippo loving Christmas Picture

Play date with Daxton

Another beautiful Texas sunset.

Nolan, building his Christmas train. (He had asked for a nerf gun for Christmas, but then at one point told me he wanted some "doorknobs and stuff". When I asked him why, he said because then he could go around fixing stuff with dad.)

Puppy Love!

BV CO!! Let that be our next trip! Thanks for the hats and candy canes Josh, Sutton, and Ev!

Projects! Jon's garage work space.

Painting

Introducing Luna and Kingsley!

We drove all the way to Lubbock to pick up our puppies from a friend of a friend. I had been on the hunt for a dog or cat for a while and was not having any luck. Between the covid demand for puppies, plus not wanting a dog that sheds, plus not wanting to pay 3 grand, plus not wanting to deal with over the top home-studies from the shelters in the area, I was striking out big time. When Laura texted me that her friend had texted her and told her that he wanted to drop off two puppies for her kids for Christmas (of course she responded something similar to "over my dead body") I jumped. "Tell him that I want them!" I texted back after a lightening quick google search on the breed. (They are Chorkies, half Yorkie, half Chihuahua.)

Picking up the new pups!

 

I texted Ellie and asked her if she would take care of them over night since we were staying in a hotel and thus great photo ops were created. Here they are in an American Girl bed. 

Laura also did some glamour shots, which cracked me up. 

The one below is my favorite. They make a little heart. Kingsley is the boy on the left, definitely carrying more Chihuahua and Luna is the girl on the right, way more fluffy and Yorkie-ish. 

Armed with towels, blankets, and a laundry basket, we all took turns holding them the entire way home. 

Since home, everyone has been in love. (Jon has even begrudgingly admitted they are cute, and has been seen playing with them or taking pictures of them.) When we were picking names I asked Jon about Salix or other Latin tree names. He responded, “no, that will endear them to me too much” which absolutely cracked me up. Nolan and Seth are by far the most interested and play with them and snuggle them multiple times a day. So far my favorite part of puppies is seeing the kids love on them. 

I never would have gotten two puppies if it were up to me, but I am so glad we have two. They are so much better together. I feel like they hardly ever whine, but do immediately when they can't find each other. They also play together tons so I'm hoping that means less chewing things up out of boredom. Fingers crossed!

Christmas!

Best quote of the Christmas season: Ollie (sounding worried), “Mama, have you ever been caught under mistletoe?”

Finishing our Advent readings.

We decided to make our fanciest cake ever based on all the holiday cooking shows I watch. Presenting a three layer chocolate cake with caramel ganache and candied almond filling and a coffee buttercream  frosting. 

Christmas morning gifts!

Favorite gifts this year included a Nerf gun for Nolan, football gloves for Ollie, and a smart watch for Seth. My favorite was a super cute hippo wallet that Jon picked out. 

Nolan was pretty excited to see he got an echo dot like his bros, too. 

This is also when it was revealed that we would be getting puppies for Christmas! That was a super fun surprise to share. Surprisingly, Ollie freaked out with the most excitement although Noey was a close second. Seth immediately asked when we were getting a turtle. Oye. 

 

Beach Day!

Nolan's first trip to the beach!

Seth and Ollie braved the water and swam for a good bit.

Catch with dad.

This picture cracks me up. Seth is hard at work on his huge hole. 

Sorting the sea shells

Our ultimate sand castle.

Lots of fun for sure. You better believe we will be back!

 

Drive Thru Light Shows

We went to the Peppermint Parkway and the Zilker Park Trail of Lights. We all voted that the trail of lights was way better, but Peppermint Parkway did end with a little carnival of sorts that had a Ferris Wheel. 

Our Christmas tree! I went Harry Potter this year and did love it, but I missed our traditional tree. Next year I think it will be back to normal.

No fireplace! And I sure do love my growing stocking collection.

Anyone who comes to see us has to visit Georgetown. I can't remember what its motto is... something along the lines of the prettiest town square in Texas and that is the absolute truth. They had it super decked out with Christmas lights and live music. It's one of my favorite places to walk around and window shop.

We didn't have Christmas lights on the house this year, but did decorate the porch. I was planning to buy lights for the house during after Christmas sales, but wouldn't you know it, big city living had all the stores I looked at completely wiped out! In Lubbock there would still be an aisle or two of stuff on clearance.