Christmas Day

Last, but not least, here's a quick glimpse of our Christmas Day.

Trust me, it was a whole day of celebrating!

Christmas morning @ our home

We started a tradition where Tanner gets 3 presents, similar to the Wisemen bringing 3 presents to the Jesus. It's a good thing too -- but HE got presents from everyone and anyone.

Dinosaurs, wooden blocks, airplanes, tractors, books, marble works -- anything a little boy could dream of having. [And then I spent the next 2 weeks re-organizing his bedroom to make room for all these new toys.]

And of all those big presents, his favorite was probably the light saber. I think every little boy holds a special place in his heart for one of these. Just look at that smile :)

Christmas Dinner

We spent Christmas morning with my family, and then headed over to Elam's house for more fun, games, and food.

Melinda had a ton of games lined up for the family -- reindeer shuffle, bin the bow of the present, and candy cane relay -- which is much harder than it looks.

We also did a white elephant gift exchange and came home with a car load more full of stuff. Tanner's still talking about the soccer table he got -- and has become quite the pro.

Memorable Christmas Moments

Reading stories about Christmas

Tanner's favorites was Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. After seeing the movie, he's walk around the house and continuously repeat, "HO, HO, HO, Merry Christmas!" And my some small miracle, we actually got it on tape!

Next year, I'm going to try a new idea where you have count-down to Christmas and wrap a book to open and read each night before Christmas.

For this year, I settled on reading him some of the same Christmas stories over and over again. But when it's The Polar Express, I don't seem to mind.

Learning about Baby Jesus

Tanner loves his kids nativity scene, but probably for all the wrong reasons. Normally, it's arranged like this. But when I'm not looking, Tanner re-arranges it like this. I've never caught him in the act, he's sneaky like that, but of course it's him.

Not sure how concerned I should be if Baby Jesus is taking a turn on the tractor, or the Three Wise Men are fighting in a war with one another. Awe-some.

The little one loves to be a stinker, and he'll even tell you as he's laughing his head off.

Baking, Baking, and more Baking.

I made endless amounts of Christmas cookies and Tanner was my number one accomplice.

While I'd like to think he genuinely enjoyed spending time with his momma in the kitchen.

But really, we all know what he was after.

Tanner rolling out sugar cookies and saying "Whoa, this is a big one" thinking that would be the end of it. He loved rolling up his sleeves and getting a little dirty, but you had to watch him, cause he loved to sneak in a bite whenever he could.

Tanner also helped make these amazing cookies. My far -- my favorite NEW christmas cookies. And I was shocked when he held off the temptation and actually helped me unwrap the Andies Chocalate Mints and place them on the cookies.

Singing Jingle Bells (with Santa's bell on his cap).

The poor Santa got dragged all over the house while Tanner would be singing away, jingling the bell on the top of his cap. It was too cute to try to keep Santa in his proper spot.

Spending time with family

We had so many fun visitors over the Holidays -- my parents came from Seattle, my grandparents, Nana & Papa from St George, and my brothers from UNT.

It still seemed quite compared without the entire family we had together at Thanksgiving. But we made the post of who was here and had fun playing games, shopping, and eating. Lots of it!

Trip to the Zoo with Nanny

It's hard to say who was more impressed, my mom or Tanner. She was shouffling the giraffes to get them to eat the lettuce and talking to the lion zookeepers about the the differences/ similarities between wild and domesticated animals.

We rode the monorail around the zoo. We almost didn't make it cause Tanner was having a melt down when he say the first train leave without him. But we persevered & made it. He kept insisting I take pics of all the animals we saw -- so I ended up with tons of pics of animals, and only these of us :)

or Tanner finding every stuffed toy to give to my dad. Tanner and my dad had one thing in common, they loved to wake up early. Tanner woke up at 6:00 every morning and trust me when I say I can't function before 7:00.

Or on Christmas eve, the weather was gorgeous! And we played outside like it was first day of fall all over again.

Anthony and I had off over 2+ weeks of work and school -- so we got lots of good playtime in!

Trains at Northpark

And of course I would forget my camera...but I swear this place was created with Tanner in mind. He was most impressed my seeing Thomas the Train and a train circling the Christmas tree - but this place had it all. I enjoyed seeing the Downtown Dallas cityscape and Fair park with all the amusement rides. Yup, we could have stayed here all day.

Just being our normal, silly selves.

It's all the small moments that add up - driving around town to see the Christmas lights, delivering Christmas goodies to friends and neighbors, going to see Santa Claus, the endless Christmas parties with friends. and spending time with family. It's not really what you do -- but who you do it with -- that matters.

And that is why I LOVE Christmas!

Christmas Greetings

For posterity's sake or for all those who didn't get a Christmas card:



(If I didn't have your address or you didn't send me one, then this is for you)

Tanner continues to light up our lives, one smile, laugh, and hug at a time. Whether it's him telling me, "Ohhh, you SO cute!" or him reminding me, "I'm not a baby, I'm Tanner," I hope be NEVER stops being a little mamma's boy. Oh, but he still LOVES his Daddy too. They giggle and play so hard, they're always out of breath.

We're grateful to live in a town where the garbage man makes specials trips for Tanner to climb abourd or our neighbor who bakes us cakes just for the heck of it.

Anthony is wrapping up his last semester, and in just a few more months, will be an official Dentist. He's definitely excited, but trust me, no one can be happier than me. Now the million dollar question, what will be next is still to be determined.

Above all, we're grateful for the peace and joy that comes from our Saviors love, and so often His light that radiates from each of our dear friends and family.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Love,

The Callison Family

Santa Claus

When we started this Christmas season, Tanner had no clue about Santa Claus. When we were reading a book and Tanner saw a picture of Santa Claus, he goes, "Look, there's Jesus!"

But a few hundred books and movies later, Tanner must have figured it out.

Tanner caught me doing some online shopping -- and immediately began asking for some of the toys. Not really thinking, I told him he would have to ask Santa Claus if he wanted those toys. Immediately, Tanner replied, "Let's go buh-bye. I wanna see Santa." Right then and there at 8:00 on Friday morning. How was I suppose to produce a Santa? I tried to explain that Santa was at the North Pole, or flying with his reindeer, but he wanted NONE of it. Two-year olds and their tantrums - lovely.

Earlier that week, I was saying how horrible of a mom I was cause I didn't care if Tanner saw Santa. It just seems so overrated -- waiting in lines for hours -- and not sure how your kid will react. But really, I'm just not sure how much to emphasize and teach about Santa Claus. One day, they'll grow up realizing you filled their minds with lies. And it's really Christ's birth we celebrate and Santa seems to have turned into the camercialized version just like the Easter Bunny.

But then again, Santa Claus makes Christmas a fun and magical time of the year, how much harm can it really do? And the story of Old Saint Nicolas did originate with one person exempilflying Christ's love for others.

But when he was so persistent, I gave in. I took Tanner to see Santa Claus. He was excited and nervous all the the same time. He even told Santa just what he wanted -- toys.
I'm sure one day he'll grow old, and he'll never believe the nonsense I'm telling him. But for now, I love that he's little and the innocence of children makes them believe every word. And for me, that makes my Christmas magical.

Happy Halloween!!

Doesn't he make the cutest little vampire???

Seriously, adorable. I admit, I only got the costume cause it was on sale. But then I had this ingenious idea to have Anthony and I dress up like Edward & Bella -- except Anthony thought going as himself would be enough. For me, yes -- for others, probably not so much.

Party, Party!

At first, Tanner wanted nothing to do with his costume. I tried doing everything, but he ended up wearing his costume from last year to the first party we went to. It was a little snug -- but luckily it still fit.

Then he realized candy was involved -- and didn't have any problems wearing it the second night. I guess I did bribe him by telling him about the bounce house. But it worked. Yes -- finally!!

Pumpkin Carving

Then comes carving pumpkins. He didn't mind sticking his hands in there initially and getting all the gunk out...at first. Then he started flinging his hand around and the gunk was going everywhere.

Anthony ended up carving all our friends pumpkins too. Finally, those talented fine motor skills of being a dentist pays off :) He brought home a few special scalping tools from the lab -- and was the hit of the pumpkin carving party.

Sadly enough, the squirrels got to it before Halloween so there wasn't much left of it. Tanner told us "Squirrel mean." Those dang squirrels also decided to take off the nose and shoes of my little scarecrow. Seriously -- it is MEAN!

Trick or Treating at Work

It was fun showing off Tanner at work, but he was painfully shy.

That is, until he got into his "element" and began throwing for the bean-bag toss.

What's up now???

He was amazed by the pumpkin tattoo on his arm.

Trick-or-Treating

By the time Halloween day rolled around, Tanner was jumping at the chance to wear his costume and go Trick-or-Treating for candy. Just look at that SMILE!

And of course, had to visit our favorite neighbor, "Aunt Nell"

Our trick-or-treating friends

He was all business this year -- running as fast as he could -- and dragging his heavy bag of candy with him. I offered to help him -- but he'd -- "No, me hold it." Smart boy -- he knew I'd try to eat some :)

When he'd get to the house, he insisted on picking out one...two...as much as they'd let him. It's hard to turn down a determined two-year-old. But you have to. Otherwise, he wouldn't stop reaching his little arm in there and grabbing the candy. But at least he'd always say thank you.

A few times, people would try to put the candy in the bag for him, thinking they were doing him a favor. But he didn't want any of that either. Mr. Independent had to do it himself.

Last year, I just remembered how he'd try to run into the houses after they'd open the door. He's totally grown up since then -- but as always -- such a hoot.

It's Fall Y'all

Finally -- Fall is here. It's been a hot, hot summer. But the past month, the 100 degree summer nights have come to an end and we've been able to enjoy some time outside.

The Great Big Pumpkin Festival @ the Dallas Arboretum

Playing King of the Pumpkin Hill

Throwing hay in the air -- what else can you expect of boys?

Smiling adorably -- but only when Nanny is next to him!!

He LOVEs her so so much!!!

Watching a chicken eat a worm in the dirt -- and trying to feed the goat some hay.

We tried to stay for Kindermusic class -- but Tanner was more interested climbing throught he bushes and trees marked offlimits and we barely made it through the class.

Visit from Smith family

I think we squeezed as much as we could in the few days Chelsea, Brandon, and Avery were here -- Chuckie Cheese, Dallas Zoo, Shenigans for Bowling, Arcade Games & Go-Carting. And yes, even Tanner got to ride the Go-Carts!!

My first visit to Chuckie Cheese in over 20 years

The kiddos didn't quite get the concept of "rolling" the balls

Many tears were shed when it was time to say good-bye to the tractor.

Dallas Zoo

Tanner kept trying to find his own nature trail and escaping into all the greenery around the zoo.

The faves

W also went on a monorail ride around the zoo. We had to stop several times cause the storks didn't want to move of the train tracks. And Tanner wanted to hop out and join then. One of the storks came close to pecking us -- but luckily chose the next caboose to attack.

At the end of their trip, I asked Avery if she missed us now that they lived in KC. She was hesitant and didn't say anything -- so I continued, "Well, maybe just a little bit." Then she finally spoke up. "Not just a little -- A LOT!" There's just something about this girl that melts my heart every time.

Craft Night

I admit, my craftiness is limited (there's a reason why I'm an accountant). But every now and then, I surprise myself, and I actually LOVE how this turned out. I admit, it really was copying the great work of others -- but thus the beauty of Craft Night with a bunch of girls. And goodies. You can't have one without the other.

Texas State Fair

This year, we ventured to the Texas State Fair to see the Pig Races, visit the petting zoo (which inlcuded a giraffe that came close to kissing Tanner and a Ostrich that pecked away the rest of our food). We also saw the Car Show and Tanner was in his glory "test driving" all the new models of cars and trucks. But really, the only reason why you go the fair is for the food. We sampled the old fried food -- Tornado Taters, Corny Dogs, Funnel Cakes, and Friend Cheese Curds. And if that wasn't enough -- I even tried Fried Oreos and Fried Frito Pie. I was too busy eating to take any pictures :)

Dallas Children's Museum

Quite possible Tanner's favorite place in the whole wide world -

Firetrucks

Music

Water

Lights

Air

And so much more that I didn't capture with a camera -- human size bubbles and sand box to dig up dinosaur fossils are other great hits.

And other random happenings

One Saturday, Tanner spent 2+hours mowing the lawn. Now that the weather is nice, he could play outside ALL day long.

Painting with water colors

I desperately want him to learn to play the piano -- maybe one day.

Afternoon tea with all the Callison girls