Snow, Santa and Cymbals - Christmas 2012

The park next to our home brought in snow one weekend, and we caught the tail end of the festivities.  After much convincing - and then just picking him up and dragging him with me - Collin and I sledded down the hill together.  He let us know one sled run was enough for him!

 My sweet, cautious boy -

A few days later, it was actually cold enough for snow in Houston, though we didn't get any.  But the boys dressed up in numerous layers, took out blankets, and went outside for one of their father-son activities: swinging on the hammock with flashlights right before bedtime - 

I took Collin to the mall for our first official Santa photo.  One always comes to his school, but this was a fancier Santa.  As tentative as Collin is, he hopped right up on St. Nick's lap and smiled without any prodding.  We missed the years of fear and terror over Santa, but we'll have to capture some of those memorable photos with baby #2.

We had a great Christmas morning as a family of three, and then the rest of the family joined us for lunch.  This T-Rex is always causing trouble around our house, eating other animals or chasing our poor dogs. 

Once again, our gift to the grandparents was a photo book of Collin from the last year. 

Finally, the worst gift ever, courtesy of Cas, a junior drum set.  My cousin Jasper said she's buying the new baby earplugs. 

Collin loves playing though -

As soon as it's consistently warm, they're moving to the garage!

And out of order, but I just found these on my phone and am adding them in.  At the end of November, I met up at the zoo with four other girlfriends from church and their young children - all ages three and under.  There were 5 moms and 8 kids, and it was such a fun morning!  Here's the one shot that included all 8 kids, though only half are even looking in the direction of the camera, with Collin oblivious behind the rhino cut-out.

A smaller group with some great smiles -

We stuck around for the petting zoo with Riley and Reese, and Collin and Riley posed at the sea lion statue -

I love Friday play dates with this wonderful group of ladies and all their young kids!