Graham Houses and Mexican Train

We rang in the new year with the Browns and the Wilsons. Wednesday night after a very stressful trip down to Richmond (don't ask), we ate a yummy meal at Andrew and Shayna's new house and then were honored to become the first overnight guests they have ever had! What a beautiful home you guys have and what a sweet host/hostess.

We left there early on Thursday morning to drive the rest of the trip to Victoria and my sister's house~never forgetting our pit stop in Wharton at the Buc-ees.

David's short nap in the car left him unwilling to take another one upon arrival so we played for a while and then the girls (and D) went on an outing to Sam's Club and Walmart for the supplies for our gingerbread houses. We spent that evening staying up way too late playing Mexican Train--I think only just after midnight. (It became especially way too late though when D woke up in the middle of the night for an hour; perhaps he was too cold, perhaps he was not sure about the new surroundings, he was soaked through, and perhaps...???)

We enjoyed Friday (although quite tired) by eating a yummy breakfast, playing a bit, and then making gingerbread houses during David's nap. Here are the results!

Shayna's house sported a Christmas tree

Fritz's house was full of good cheer...

Jane's house was only ever a quarter completed with marshmallows alone since the rest of the candy made it in her stomache!

Emily's house was beautiful--while it lasted--(the roof shortly fell off due to all the heavy candy thereupon)

My house was covered with a little of this, a little of that

Anna's, of course, showed her quirky sense of humor with the smiley face on the front. Love it!

Alex's house was truly a contemporary work of art!

Our Gingerbread (rather Graham cracker) village

As you can tell, my family likes to be goofy a lot!

David was constantly "mothered."

He did enjoy his time playing in the play hut.

After a few minutes of 5 year old Emily (and 3 year old Jane) lifting D to dunk the ball in the basket, we came up with another way of playing this. They held the house (so it would not topple) while D reached on tip-toes and pulled the rim down to dunk the ball.

Even Fritz played ball with David.

Then, that evening, while the boys finished watching football, the kiddos and Aunt Shayna danced to Swan Lake in the bedroom.

That evening brought another round of Mexican train--this time with the kids.

Saturday morning we awoke to pack our bags. We wished Alex happy 10th Birthday before heading out. Here D is eating breakfast of fruit loops (he sure liked this) and trying to stay warm (notice the blue lips!) Brrr....it has been cold!

Bye-Bye Wilsons! Andrew, Shayna, David, Michael and I piled back into our car and drove home to Richmond followed by Spring. Thanks, everyone, for a great time!