A White Christmas!

Christmas morning in the Melker house began with a sweet time of reading about Jesus' birth followed a whole lot of excitement about stocking stuffers including new Transformer toothpaste...

...light up Cinderella princess shoes...

... and some fun new toys like a Barbie Beach House...

... and a new marble run!

Madison sporting her new matching jammies with her babydoll.

Madison and Payson showing Mommy some love.

But the present that stole the show on Christmas Day was definitely the snow! Texans know better than to waste their dreams on a White Christmas. And the big question of the hour was, would it stick?

Yes, that's Hayden... in shorts.

Oh yes it would! The kids threw on their winter gear and got after it!

Joy. Pure joy.

Madison and Mommy playing in the snow. Yes, I am a kid when it comes to snow!

Payson playing in the fort.

The snow turned out to be perfect for making snowmen. So we decided to build one. Then two. Then three, four and five!

 Yep, we built the Melker snow family! It wasn't easy but it was awesome!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Merry Christmas!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

We spent Christmas Eve with the Cooper side of the family which was complete with performances by the cousins for the parents. Avery and Hayden sing a tune alongside Nunie.

Madison and Payson's turn!

Time for presents!

Oh what fun!

The original multiples of the family look on, a bit intimidated by all of the excitement at times! Whenever the kids ask for a dog I always kindly remind them that they have dogs at their grandparent's house. It works pretty well... for now.

Madison gets snuggly and silly with Pops!

The BIG gift of the day was definitely the Power Wheel Dune Racer. Check out those smiles! Thanks Pops and Nunie!

Payson and Daddy playing golf with Payson's new set of clubs!

In the afternoon the whole fam ventured over to the great grandparent's house for yet more presents and family fun.

Once back home, the kids tore unto their new jammies on Christmas Eve. They love this family tradition!

With new jammies and their cookies and milk set out for Santa, the children were ready to get nestled all snug in their beds!

Mom and Dad all ready for Christmas morn. Night-night!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Keith and I all dressed up for his company's holiday party.

Madison, Payson and Hayden performing in their preschool Christmas program. So precious!

Another holiday tradition in the Melker home is visiting the Trains at Northpark. Payson, Madison and Hayden are eager to go in!

All aboard!

With the great developmental changes that the kids go through from year to year, these kinds of traditions bring a new excitement and level of understanding each time we go.

And now that the kids are 5, the puppet shows have turned from scary and a bit creepy to funny and intriguing.

Continuing with traditions, Madison, Hayden and Payson decorate gingerbread houses. Okay, yes it's true. There were four mini houses this year so I got to decorate one too!

Our little village was like a 3D Candyland!

With Christmas just two days away it was time to get baking Santa's cookies! Madison, Payson and Hayden rolled out the dough and used their favorite cookie cutter shapes.

After watching the Polar Express their sugar cookies had cooled and the kids were ready to add some icing and edible bling. And lots and lots of finger licking!

Happy 5th Birthday!

Hayden, Payson and Madison turned 5 today and boy were they ready! Here they are getting their spunk on before school. My have they grown!

For breakfast Daddy made an early morning run to the donut shop so the kids could each have their own 3-layered donut cake!

And for school I made cupcakes for their class decorated with mermaid jewels and pirate coins.

Keith even surprised the kids as the Mystery Reader for their class!

After school we headed to the mall for the girls to get their hair done...

...male-up done...

...nails done...

...and ears pierced!

Hayden has been asking to have her ears pierced since she was 3! I told her she could do it at age 5, thinking that she would forget and move on, but she remembered and held me to it! So, on her 5th birthday, she had two small pink studs put in her ears.

Madison wasn't so sure if she was going to have her ears pierced. She wanted to wait another year until she saw Hayden do it without a tear- or hardly even a flinch! Madison admittedly cried but they were both so brave and happy! And you're in for a surprise- Madison chose purple studs!

Time for presents!

During school chapel the kids received their birthday pencils and certificates and Payson received the character award for patience!

Here's our little family on the kids' last day of being 4! Happy Birthday kids! You did it!