Christmas #3

We ended up in Houston for the big day with Flora, Mark, Linda and the "silly dogs". Some Houston highlights:
--watching Kate's reactions on Christmas morning. Everything ranging from glee to pure happiness.
--Kate's first ice skating experience
--the butterfly exhibit at the Science Museum
--getting play outside without coats in December!

Photo round-up below...

Christmas #2

And we were off. To Texas for Christmases #2 and #3.  Kate was the perfect little traveler and loved her first ride in an airplane. (Well, first one that she will remember anyway.)

Our first stop was Athens, Texas where we visited B's Granny, his Dad and aunts, uncles and cousins.

Regrettably, we didn't have the camera out as much as I would have liked so here are some Athens highlights:
--watching Kate show Grandaddy Hoybook how the Kindle puzzle games work. "See Grandaddy?  You just move this one." Priceless.
--letting Kate chase the little pug around at the nursing home. "Where's that silly dog? Mommy, let's go find that silly Chunky."
--watching Kate play big kid legos with Britton. Those two were inseparable and it was the cutest thing you've ever seen.
--getting to spend some time with Sarah, Stan, Sandee and BreeAnna and watching them introduce Kate to the world of PRINCESSES. She is now obsessed. OBSESSED.
--a quick stop by Robert and Amelia's for presents and a quick hello. Kate was spoiled again. (Hmm, I sense a pattern here...)

After a quick few days, we were in the car and headed south to Houston for Christmas #3. I predict more princesses in our future.

Christmas #1

Let me dazzle you with this little fun fact: this is the first time since B and I have been together that we have had the same work schedule. True story. We finally both work 9 to 5, Monday through Friday and let me tell you, it is amazing. This is also the first time since we have been together that we have been able to spend Christmas with our families. Don't get me wrong, we LOVED our Portland Christmas traditions, especially the one where we get to ski with the Lodges, but this year was pretty darn awesome.

Christmas #1 was celebrated with my family in Scribner the weekend before Christmas. B was stricken with strep throat (boooooo!) so Kate and I joined my family for a Christmas get-together before everyone scattered to far off places (Washington! Minnesota!) for Christmas Day.

Kate waits patiently for the green light to start opening.

 Showing Great Grandma her new princesses and carriage.

 Waiting patiently (very patiently!) for Papa to figure out the packaging to her new princesses.

Santa

The beautiful real Christmas tree at the Durham Museum

 Showing Santa her "pink fingernails!"

 A big smile and no tears.  Woot!

B and I haven't really be talking about Santa, but they have been talking a lot about it at Kate's daycare so we couldn't completely ignore his "existence" this year. After some debate, we decided to take her to see Santa "just to see how it goes." Last year, our mall Santa experience ended in tears. So, we headed to family night at the Durham Museum and I don't if it was the preparation, the setting or the non-threatening looking Santa, but Kate hopped right up beside him and told him she wanted for Christmas: "toys and books."  That's our girl.

By they way, if you ask her what Santa does, she will reply very matter-of-factly, "he comes to town." Why yes, sweet girl, that is exactly right.

Two going on Sixteen

It's funny to think that this is exactly how I spent my teenage years, in my room, on the cordless phone.  I wonder what it will really be like when Kate is sixteen.  Will she still actually talk on a phone? Well, if so, she sort-of has the whole attitude down.

Kate Suz

This little Kate of ours so amazing.  And all of a sudden, looking very much like a big girl.

A Christmas Tradition

I seriously doubt we will ever get to cut down our Christmas tree without coats again.

Thankful

The Hoybooks had so many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving--good jobs, a warm roof over our heads, a smart, energetic toddler and most importantly, being close to our family.  After spending the past ten Thanksgivings away from home, this year we were able to join my family for a feast and enjoy great food, laughter and conversation.  (Plus, I can't even begin to describe how awesome it is to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal without thinking about having to work the next day.)  It was relaxing and wonderful and filled my heart to overflowing. We are so very thankful!

A couple of shots from a few days in Wayne with Oma and Papa.

The First Nebraska Snow

Well, there you have it. Our first snowfall in Nebraska.  The accumulation was disappointing, definitely not enough for sledding, but totally worth it to hear our little someone yell, "Look!  It's snowing, it's snowing!  Mommy! Daddy! It's snowing! Look, it's white, it's snowing, it's snowing! Mommy! Daddy! Look! Look!"

Hoybook Fall Tradition

Just like last year, the littlest Hoybook and a pile of leaves.