Melty Chirstmas

Since we moved to Houston almost 4 years ago we've started a new family tradition, the Melty's pack up and drive here to spend a weekend and celebrate Christmas a little early.  I love having my entire family in our home to eat, drink and be merry.  I cook, clean and I'm exhausted by the end of the weekend but I love every minute of it.  Chase and Wyatt love playing with their cousins!  

Our Visit with Santa

December 3, 2012- We made our annual trip to Bass Pro to see Santa.  Chase is old enough this year to know what its all about and he had his request ready to tell Santa.  As we suspected despite all the hype he was still a little hesitant to get too close to the bearded man dressed in red velour.  We managed to get a pretty good picture while we held the kids- neither would willingly sit in his lap.  We love BP because they offer fun activities for the kids, writing letters to Santa, crafts and games.  Daddy enjoyed the trip too and we obviously had to look around the hunting and fishing departments a bit before heading home.   

November

We were able to join Chase for his Thanksgiving Feast at school.  Fairfield baptist church offers a car pool line for pick up and drop off which I love but I do miss getting to see him in his "school" environment.  I'll admit that I fought back tears when I saw him walk into the room with his Chief Chase shirt and Indian feathers on his head, time is passing too quickly.  His face lit up when he saw us sitting there, so grateful for the little moments like those.

We were invited to spend Thanksgiving Day at the Lazy H & B Ranch that Chris' Aunt Gail and Uncle Rick own.  We packed up and made the 6 plus hour drive to Del Rio, Texas.  Words cannot describe how beautiful it is, I was humbled to see God's work undisturbed.  We all took turns going out to the deer stands and Chris shot a doe and audad.  The boys loved every minute of it, Chase insisted on wearing camo nearly everyday.  

Chris and his audad

Chris and his doe

The boys cruising

Thanksgiving 2012

A weekend at Yogi Bear Park!

 The Henderson's ventured out to Waller for a weekend at Yogi Bear Park.  We shared a cabin with our good friends the Morin's who have been several times before.  This is the closest to camping Chase has got, he'll learn soon enough that "Real" camping doesn't include a bathroom and a/c!  They have tons of fun activities for the kids in October.  The kids planted "magic pumpkin seeds" and went back a few hours later to find and pick their pumpkin and then painted it.  The crazy Texas weather allowed us to enjoy the pool and water slides!  Later Saturday they had a costume contest where the boys won 2nd Place in their age group, Chase was fisherman and Wyatt a sweet little fish!  When it got dark the kids all got to go treat or treating through the camp grounds- they had a ball and it was great practice for Halloween in a few weeks.  We love making memories with our little guys- they bring so much joy to our lives! 

Chase and Ella getting comfy at the campsite

Our Cabin all decorated for Halloween

Daddy showing Chase how s'mores are done :)

Family Photo

Such a big boy!

I have to admit I had fun too!

 

 

 

Chase planting hsi "magic pumpkin seed"

Painting his pumpkin

Dylan, Chase and Ella- Best Buds!

Chase and Wyatt won 2nd Place at the Costume Contest! The Fisherman and his little fish!

Blue Bell...the best ice cream in the country!

We've checked one more thing off out "to do" list!  We have said for the past 3 years we've lived in Houston that we needed to get out to Brenham to visit the Blue Bell Factory.  They only offer tours Monday through Friday which makes it hard to schedule.    Chris had the day off (Columbus day is a bank holiday) so we loaded up the boys and headed to BB.  Laura was off work too so she and Presley joined in on the fun.  The tour itself only lasted about 30 minutes which felt like a lifetime to Chase who really only wanted the scoop of ice cream he was promised at the end of the tour.  We like everyone else are big fans of Blue Bell ice cream so it was fun seeing how it was made and packaged.  You really do learn something new everyday!  

Are you jealous of our cool paper hats???

Mint Chocolate Chip- Chase's favorite and mommy's too!

Presley decided the spoon was a useless tool.

Yum!

The Henderson's

Wyatt, Chase and Presley

Love these boys like CrAzY!!!

A day at the zoo!

We took advantage of the beautiful weather on Saturday and took the boys to the zoo.  For you people who  choose walk around the zoo in the Texas heat in July/August, you're nuts.  We've taken Chase a few times before but this trip he so enthusiastic and eager to see it all!  When we left the zoo we walked around Herman Park, fed the ducks and let Chase play in the splash pad.  Such a fun day for us all!

Mommy and Chase checking out mommy's favorite, the elephants!

Chase Christopher- too cool!

Our monkey with the REAL monkey

Wyatt pointing and telling us all about it

Wyatt was not too sure of those turkeys 

Love this picture!