Christmas at Grandma Frances'

Grandpa Bonnie came in the house like Santa Claus handing out gifts to the good girls & boys (above)

Morgan got a microwave with pretend food (above) and Jaden got a mixer (below)

They both got an apron (above) to wear while they cook

Grandma Leslie made this snowman card holder & hand towel for Grandma Frances (above) & Grandma Frances took a look at her new gadget we bought her- a digital keychain photo album (below)

After we spent Christmas close to home, we took off for the southern end of the state of Texas to meet with more relatives. It was the day after Christmas, and we arrived with gifts after a 5 hour drive. We stayed with Grandma Frances, but Grandpa Bonnie & Uncle Damon arrived shortly after we got there (Grandma Alice came by the next day).

The girls had a blast making pretend food with their microwave and blender!!

Studing Cows

Some of the food items that we get from cows. Jaden and Morgan put them on construction paper.

Christmas at Uncle Ray's

As Andrea takes the globe out of the wrapper, the girls keep digging for treasures (above)

Just what Morgan wanted- a doll! and it's Tinkerbell! (above) & Jaden got a car to go with her "barbie"-like dolls plus a real Barbie!!

After stopping by Grandma Leslie & Grandpa Lyale's, we swung on over to Uncle Ray & Aunt Sally's house. All of this happened Christmas day. Jaden and Morgan always enjoy playing with Andrea (and Patrice when she is home). This time they got to open presents, too!!!

Talking on the phone with Kevin

My brother is on a mission in Washington state. He can only call home on Mother's Day & Christmas. So, Christmas day, we all drove to my mom's house to celebrate Christmas & talk to Kevin on the phone. It was nice to hear his voice again! 1 1/2 years before we see him again!!

Christmas Day at Grandma Leslie & Grandpa Lyale's

Dear Santa

Dear Santa, Cookies are on the table.

Letters for Santa (above) and cookies for Santa (below)

Christmas at home

Before going to bed on Christmas Eve, the girls kept track of where Santa was on the NORAD Santa tracker on the computer.

Santa left Jaden & Morgan a camera each!

A new game for her Leapster from Grandma Leslie & Grandpa Lyale- Jaden (above) & Morgan (below)

This was Jaden's favorite gift (of the one's LeCount & I gave them). It is a paint your own tea set (above) & I gave LeCount some Cowboy's Crocs (bought out of season, so only $10 shipped!)

We gave the girls educational toys as their big gifts. They each got a Leapfrog Tag. Morgan got the Tag Junior, and Jaden got the regular tag system. Jaden's is an actual tool that helps her learn to read (and makes it fun!!)

This Christmas the girls got mostly educational things. They already have Leapfrog Leapsters, so they received a few new games to go with them. I found some great deals on Leapfrog.com, and was able to provide a lot for just a little cash. Two of their leapster games were completely free, and another two of them were only $2.50!! (These are games that usually cost $25 to $30 a piece!)

Their Tag systems I found really cheap, too. I got Morgan's on Amazon.com for $15 shipped (regularly $35), and Jaden's I bought from Leapfrog.com for $30- It was the Dr. Suess gift pack (regularly $65). I got Jaden the Learn to Read book set. It is 12 books that teach letter sounds and words. It is even cooler than I imagined it would be, and Jaden loves it!! It works well with the letters and words she is already learning in school. The Tag Junior that Morgan got is not so advanced. It only reads page for page, so it's not teaching sounds. However, Morgan loves that she can read her books just like Jaden!