December is always packed full of so many fun events & places to go. Jett & Delilah have been taking guitar lessons for over a year now. It was time for their second music recital. We were blown away with just how well they are doing. What's even better is that they seem to truly enjoy it.
Our neighborhood of The Crossing of Spring Creek decided to have a Chili Cook-Off & get together down at our community pool. I didn't compete with a chili but I did help with the decorations.
Another fun outing that I always look forward to is Nicole Wagner's Annual Cookie Exchange Party. A bunch of crazy ladies; even more cookies; & a zillion laughs. It's always a good time with these girls.
Another fun event that I attended was a charcuterie board creating class. It was held at a little wine bar, in Spring Branch, called Devine Wine Bar. We sipped on yummy wine while being taught how to make "meat roses" & how to properly assemble a charcuterie board.
Every year the PTA of the twins school, Arlon Seay ES, opens up a little Christmas store. I volunteer a morning there & just love watching the kiddos shop while working through their budgets, in their heads.
The entire 5th grade at ASES put on a Christmas Recital called A Pirates Christmas. Delilah Rose was the pirate captain & Jett a pirate. It was such a cute play and all of the children did a fantastic job! (Me & Rich are still walking around the house singing "It's a Pirate Christmas, whoa, oh..."!
Here's a look at all of the Mickey the Elf shenanigans throughout the month. Man! This little dude gets into some trouble, doesn't he?!
Some sweet family friends bought our family 2 very special firefighter Christmas tree ornaments. Jerry & Karen Quintrell gave these to us & they look absolutely beautiful on our tree.
The Twins school always steps up and sets the bar pretty high when it comes to different & special ways to teach the kids. Before breaking loose from school, for Christmas break, they had a couple of different projects plus Colonial Day. I love that my children love to learn.
I attended a neighborhood, Christmas get together that had a SUPER fun spin on it! Dee Fischer hosted a ladies only, Christmas gathering that involved THROWING AXES!!! It was so fun! It took a while to get the hang of it but I eventually managed to get one on the bullseye!
Our next Christmas party/parties were on the SAME day. First, at the Bates home, we went to a "Dress As Your Spouse" Chili Cook-Off. It was an absolute RIOT! We laughed so hard I was crying!
After our Chili dinner Rich & I rushed home, changed into fancy attire and attended the Whelan's Christmas Jingle & Mingle party.
Being a Twin, more times than not, typically means that you always do things together. So, Rich & I try to make sure, at least a couple of times per year, to take the kids on their very own special days. On this occasion I spent the day with my special girl going to a friend's birthday party. They got pedicures, manicures and then ate lunch & birthday cookie at The Branch. These sweet, little ladies have been friends since they were 3 years old.
Meanwhile, Rich took Jett for an entire day doing all of their favorite things... Lego Land; the Alamo; McDonalds for lunch; ice cream on the River Walk; and a visit to Rich's fire station.
This year, 2021, was an incredible year for me and my Real Estate business. I helped many people, families buy & sell homes. Christmas time is my favorite time to show all of them my appreciation by dropping off little surprises at their homes. Rich & Diesel spent the day with me & they were fantastic helpers and even better company!
One of our families most favorite traditions is to drive a little North, to Johnson City, and check out the Johnson City Christmas Light Display, put on by the Electric Company. Grandy joined us and we started the evening with pizza at Blanco Pizza Company. Then, we met up with the Carter's in Johnson City and sipped hot chocolate while hanging out and chatting under the gorgeous lights.
On the same day as Pajama Day at school it was also the annual Winter Wonderland at the school. It was nice to volunteer and see the kids having so much fun!
FINALLY!! The last day of school is here! We've been waiting on this day since Thanksgiving break! We picked up the twins right after the classroom party & took them to AyeChiWawa for lunch. Oddly enough, it's one of Jett & Delilah's faves because they serve breakfast aaallll day. Hence, pancakes for lunch! Then, we spent the evening decorating gingerbread houses with Brisa, Clarence & Milo. It was the perfect way to begin our Christmas vacation!
There have been many years that I have dreaded the day that we take our annual family photos. But, as the twins have gotten older, it's become increasingly easier. That was until we added a puppy into the mix. But, nonetheless, these turned out pretty cute! Our sweet friends gave us permission to use their ranch, The Knibbe Ranch, as the backdrop. It was perfect!
These were the absolute perfect pictures to add to our 2021 Christmas card.
We spent several afternoons baking and decorating sugar and gingerbread cookies. There were some real masterpieces, I tell ya!
Christmas Eve at the Anderson home is always our big, special night. The tradition started back with my parents... they would host an "Open House" every Christmas Eve that would last way into Christmas morning. Ours don't ever last THAT late but it's still so nice to have friends, family & neighbors over to celebrate such a special Holiday.
Jett & Delilah are in bed & everything is ready for Santa's arrival:
With Rich going on shift for Christmas Day, we woke up the twins before he left for the station and let them see & open gifts from Santa and even dig through their stockings. After a yummy breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls (thanks to our sweet neighbor, Dale Fischer) & hot chocolate, Me, Jett & Delilah hung out, played games & watched movies. That night, we all snuggled up in my bed, said our prayers, facetimed Daddy & went fast to sleep with excitement about celebrating Christmas again, once Daddy gets home.
Daddy came home, Grandy came over and we dove straight into the gifts. Later on, Clarence & his family drove out & we had a delicious dinner, relaxed & enjoyed "our Christmas Day"
The last couple of years, the twins have requested to spend one night sleeping in the family room, under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.
Rich had to also work on New Year's Eve this year. So, me and the kiddos spent the evening celebrating at our neighbor's home, the Williams'. Rich stopped beforehand and bought a few small fireworks for them to shoot off. For dinner, on New Year's Day, we met up with Matt & Jen, Clarence, Milo, Brisa & Mike Fox for a super fun & yummy dinner at a Hibachi restaurant in New Braunfels. After stuffing our bellies with chicken, steak and rice, we went home to watch our small fireworks show. It was such a fun experience & a great way to bring in the new year. WELCOME TO 2022!
Some stragglers from the month of December:
