Christmas Eve

So the plan for Christmas Eve was to make homemade pizza... but 5 o'clock rolled around far faster than planned, so we headed to Fuddruckers instead. ;)

The girls certainly didn't mind...

My little baby enjoying the view from his carseat... I can't believe how much he's grown since then!

I caught this picture of my man... I'm so in love with him. And this picture. ;)

After dinner we drove around and looked at Christmas lights!

One street was just amazing so the girls and I got out of the car and walked around while Daddy and baby stayed warm in the car.

So magical... I love Christmas.

Love this one of Maggie...

Who would have guessed! Santa was there! And here they are putting in some last minute Christmas wishes...

Such a happy memory recorded. I'm SO glad we have these pictures!

After this we headed home and read the "Cajun Night Before Christmas" and the Christmas Story from Luke... and then we sent the kids off to bed to dream... 

Main St. Bethlehem

I can't tell you how excited Tyler and I were to have our own Christmas together this year. 
Truly, this is all we wanted. Just a quiet Christmas starting new traditions as a family. 
This is one for the record books! It's called Main St. Bethlehem. 
It's in a little town and every year they recreate the town of Bethlehem. 

We went with a big group from church! This was so much fun!

It was extremely crowded and I had my 80mm lens on... so the pictures are pretty bad. 
But I just had to post pictures anyway.
Rachel sifting wheat with a local...

It was very dark- only lit up by candlelight. 
They had everything--- stables, inns, marketplace, Roman soldiers, shops--- it was so amazing.

It was reverent and quiet. People only spoke in whispers. The girls were enthralled. 
In the distance they spotted the star... 

This was a wonderful moment for our family. Finally finding Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. 
My two crazy girls were actually quiet and just gazed at them for a moment. I could tell that they caught the true meaning of Christmas in that moment.
This is one tradition that will live on every year for the Payne family! 

Christmas Cookies 2013

Christmas Cookies! 
The tradition that always survives. The tradition that trumps all the others. 
The day where I don't care how many cookies I eat! 
I'm going to have a million blogposts all labeled, "Christmas Cookies".
That could get confusing. Maybe I should start adding the year. Yes! Yes! I'm changing that right now! Give me a second....
Ahhh... there!
Confusion problem solved.
I'm one smart cookie! 
That was a joke.
You know you laughed. Don't deny it.

Okay, moving on... As you can see from the girls expressions, they were beyond pumped for this! 
It's everything kids dream of--- sugar, frosting, sprinkles, colors, mini candies, and cookies!!!

Oh, and Texas goes with any season.
Kind of like wearing black sunglasses. They go with everything. ;)

I love to see how every year their cookie decorating skills improve!
Rachel was a dang pro! 

So meticulous. 
She gets this from me. 
It's a blessing and a curse. Trust me.

Maggie--- not so much.
The one single requirement for her cookies to be to code is lots and lots of pink sprinkles! haha!

Ta-Da!!!! 
Now lets go deliver these bad boys before I gain a zillion pounds!
So good! I just can't resist.

Princess Painting

Uncle Mike and Aunt Mariela sent the girls two sets of fun figurines to paint. One set was Princess, the other was Monsters Incorporated. 
They loved them!!!
I never buy them stuff like this. It must be a Mommy thing--- No markers. No paint. 
I've got enough to clean, you know what I'm saying? 
However, this thought process is ridiculous! It's soooo easy to clean up! 
And the girls feel so special with stuff like this! 
Thank you Mike and Mariela!!! They had a stinking blast!

As you can tell... Rachel is 4... 

And Maggie is 3... haha! 

I'm thinking I should get more of these! It was excellent motivation to be good! And it wasn't treats! Plus, I just love how excited they were!
Score!!!

Maggie's Birthday Party

Okay let me tell you something about Maggie and birthdays--- everything, all year long is about BIRTHDAYS!
Let me explain-
You ask Maggie, "What did you do today?" 
Her response- "I had a birthday party!" (she says this every day)
You say to her, "You look beautiful today Maggie! I love your dress!"
Her response- "Thank you! I got it for my birthday!"
You see her playing with toys and she exclaims,
"Look Mom! I got this for my birthday!"
hahaha! 
It's all about birthdays.
And she finally got her party with a big, pink cake! WOOO!

Here's happy, excited Maggie...

Here's "what the heck is that?" Maggie...

Here's "I don't like that" Maggie...
What the heck kid? It's a sparkler candle! Coolest thing ever! 
Obviously, she wasn't impressed! haha!

She kept that face on for a while but the presents and cake definitely snapped her out of it.
Kids are so unpredictable!

The girls really enjoyed having their cousins (second cousins!) at the party! It made it so fun!

And I just couldn't pass this one up. Traveling is rough on kids. Maggie had missed a few naps and finally snuggled up with and passed out. It was wonderful. I don't get moments like these with her often anymore. Such a sweet birthday girl!!!
Happy Birthday Maggie Ila!!!

Luke's Blessing Day

There's something about blessing days- they always turn out to be the best days ever. 
There's a spirit of testimony in the air and I can feel the strength and happiness of our tiny little addition to the family. With each of my kids I've gotten glimpses of their strengths and characteristics on this day. I think of all they will do and achieve. I think of where their journey will take them. I think of all the talents they will develop. I feel so blessed to be their Mommy and witness and help them along. Gosh, I'm grateful to be a Mom.

Luke's blessing outfit. I'm obsessed with it. So soft, yet manly. I adore the bowtie. ;)

There he is--- taking a nap before his big day begins!
I could watch him sleep all day.

Our first family picture as a family of 5! Woohoo! 
Sometimes I look around and go, "Where'd these kids come from?" "Tyler, what's going on here?" 
It's crazy how time flies.

Gorgeous sisters in their fancy Christmas dresses!!!

After church bouncing on the tramp... gotta get those wiggles out!

Getting ready for Mommy's famous red beans and rice dinner! 
It was delicious. 

Pop and Luke

The whole crew who made it to the blessing! 
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING! We felt so grateful to have ya'll here!

I never manage to get all the pictures I want on days like these. I somehow managed to get this one but not one with Luke and both sets of grandparents! BAH! Sorry guys, I'll get my act together one of these days! 
Luke was just about the freak out... he was so tired here! haha! Just a few more pictures little guy...

haha! He was so finished! But we've got to get one with Mom and Dad!

This one cracks me up!

Tyler caught a couple with me and Luke- thanks babe!

One of the overwhelming characteristics about Luke that was felt all day was simply his happy spirit.

He smiled and laughed all through his blessing. So much so that it totally distracted Tyler! haha! 

Joy just pours out of this little guy. 

I so grateful to have him in our family!!!!

Ice, Ice, Baby!

We've had several ice days here in Austin this winter! The whole city pretty much shuts down when this happens. Which means- Eggs, bacon, and biscuits for breakfast and Daddy gets to stay home! YAY!

The girls loved breaking up the ice on the trampoline...

"This is so cool!"

This was probably their favorite! They got going pretty fast!

Sliding down the driveway with Dad... the girls had a blast.
Once we got frozen through, we all came in for some hot chocolate.
Austin, you can have as many ice days as you want.
Sincerely, 
Jess Payne