Dallas Christmas Part 3 (Making Our Days Merry & Bright)

We had a full two weeks in Dallas and so were able to fit in lots of fun things during our stay, mostly with family because friends are often just as busy during this time. There were many puzzles, the short-lived chocolate house, NYE disc golf and donuts with Greg & Jack, and a day at Crayola. 

With grandma and Sophie's help we finished this 1000 piece in about 3 hours!

First experience with a a Magic Puzzle (surprise twist at the end)

Sophie did a 300 piece and Davey did a 100 piece, both all by themselves

This one was so pretty and probably my favorite build over the break

Chill time with Papa

Sophie and Davey got these little craft planters for Christmas, but Davey's had an accident and fell off the counter losing some seeds, so it looked a little sparse compared to Sophie's. He was upset until we told him the dinosaurs had probably just eaten some of his plants :)

The infamous chocolate house. Grandma helped Sophie build it from Hershey bars instead of gingerbread and apparently it tasted as good as it looked because we later found it eaten down to the foundation.

Griffin's pack n play was a little too close to Papa's desk during nap - oops!

The disc golf crew! It was a fun outing to end our year. Except for Davey. His team tied for first and he wanted a solo victory, hence the crying. 

Griffin could care less about frisbee but was happy that Trixie was there to watch and follow

First visit to Hurts Donuts

We brought them to a park so we could eat and play

Play doh at 7 am was Griffin's way to ring in the New Year

During our stay we also made a trip out to Tyler to help Aunt Liz move into her new home! The kids were not helpful at all, but did enjoy finding random places to hide while the adults moved stuff around.

We bought tickets to visit Crayola but they were unexpectedly closed 👎👎 The kids were so sad. However! We hung around long enough to catch an employee who refunded our tickets and also gave us free passes to come back later, so it worked out okay in the end!

Some fun on our return visit (that was free!)

Dallas Christmas Part 1 - Counting Down to Christmas

We left for Dallas on the 21st, which gave us a few days to fit in some pre-Christmas fun, including a zoo trip (later post) and a family dinner on Christmas Eve. We always look forward to the different people we get to see and traditions carried out depending on where we are spending Christmas that year. The door wrap may become a new Dallas tradition :)

First ever stop at the Buc-cee's in Denton!

Grandma introduced Sophie to nail wraps

We covid tested ahead of gathering with family for a Christmas Eve dinner and then hung them all by the fireplace with care - negative!! 

I didn't take a group picture of the family all gathered for dinner, but here are the cute placeholders Sophie made for the table all by herself

Cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer

Grandpa reading stories to help Charlie fall asleep

Some Christmas elves wrapped the doorway to keep the kids from peeking

Santa has come! And he was very generous :)

2021 Howe Family Christmas Card

This was our Christmas card for 2021. It made be very happy to get a good picture of the whole family this time, the first since Griffin was born the year before. I feel our days are long, but the months are short and the year flew by. A few of the bigger highlights include:

• Dave's call to serve as Bishop for our ward
• Sophie  turned 8 in March and was baptized
• Davey started kindergarten in August, so we now have half the kids in school and half at home
• Charlie potty trained! Just one left in diapers!
• St. George became a new travel destination and we ended up visiting 3 times in one year

Sleepy Hollow Color Run

Throw color dust like confetti while running around like crazy?? Yes please! The kids sure loved the school fundraiser tonight!! I was also a fan. All I had to do was buy the shirt, and then watch them run around and around in circles while getting progressively more colorful. It was a fun night for the whole family. As a surprise bonus, Grandma and Grandpa Howe showed up as a surprise at the house just before and were able to join us in cheering the kids on!

Before and After

Charlie with a very purple arm from throwing dust :)

Colorful event calls for a colorful treat!

Dallas Summer Bonus Chapter - Fun with the IdaHowes

Tim and Cindy's family were still in Dallas when we returned from Utah so we were able to spend a few days playing together before we had to head home for the start of school. Cousin time is always the best! 

A day at Little Elm beach was not equal to a week on the Outer Banks, but plenty of fun in the water and sand was still had. As far as Texas beaches go, it's a nice one!

Grandma Howes bubble sharks were a huge hit with the kids

Outing to the Cidercade, a highlight for Davey

Sophie and Amelia working on a puzzle

Piñatas and cake to celebrate Maya's 3rd birthday

The cousins held a funeral for a baby bunny that ran into a gate

We sure loved being able to see cousins, even though the reunion got cancelled