Beautiful Day

The kids and I enjoyed a long walk through the neighborhood to several parks. When we returned home, Sophia was riding her little tricycle around the cul de sac and the neighbors boys were outside washing their cars. At one point, she stopped at their house to get her tricycle washed! We are lucky to have such sweet neighbors!

Our New Home

We have officially been here over two months and it is finally starting to feel like home! We have tons to do and in true "Bartels" fashion we already have a list of "building" projects! We also have a lot of "Do it ourself" refinishing to do on furniture etc...but in time it will get done! The kids are settling well and we LOVE the parks and walking/running trails that are all within our neighborhood!

A day with the little guys...

These two are so sweet and fun!

Lights of Tejas!

We decided to take Sophia to the Lights of Tejas last Sunday. Due to the weather getting cooler, Hayden stayed at my parents. She had a blast with her friends Evan and Bo! The lights were beautiful!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Sophia and I have been busy decorating. It always seems to be a race against time as we are usually trying to get things done before Hayden figures out how to undo our hard work.
Memas front porch...

My lil elf...

Lovin' my help wrapping Christmas gifts! He's so sweet...

Merry Christmas...and so Christmas 2012 begins...

I LOVE Christmas! I always have. It's just something special about this time of year.

Children make Christmas magical though. This year Sophia has really been excited about all of the things that Christmas brings. She loves telling Hayden about Santa and his elves, about Jesus and his mommy and daddy (mary and joseph) and singing him the songs shes learning.

Both kids did awesome at the downtown Christmas Stroll...Sophia rode on her school float and Hayden watched! And amazingly both had smiles during our trip to take Santa pictures! Yay!