Wow!  Santa brought some goodies to Arlington for Noelle!

 

Noelle loves her new baby and stroller!

 

Noelle’s stocking was full of art supplies!

This is what Noelle did when I said, "Hug the puppy!"

Endless hours of fun are to be had – YES!

 

Noelle’s new puppy, Diva (the store named her), has a magnetic mouth for her bones and cookies. 

 

Watches and socks!

Wow, Santa did good (pat on the back)!

Our sweet girl has a little cold, but her spirits are high! 

We love you little Noelle!  You are such a wonderful gift to us, and we are so thankful you play and laugh with us every day! 

Melissa made Mama Kay Kay and Grand Pa Pa a photo calendar from all our fun times together in 2007 for Christmas!

Uncle Stephen gave Noelle a super cool bongo drum from the Discovery Channel Kids!  Thank you so much, Uncle Steve!  Noelle loves all the colors and sounds!  You’re the best!

   

Playing at Uncle Steve’s brand new house!  Congrats Steve – your house is great, and we can’t wait to come hang out again soon!

 

Mama Kay Kay!

Noelle giving Mama Kay some of her art work.  Grand Pa Pa was in Wichita Falls helping Gran who is in poor health.  We wish her comfort and health and Grand Pa Pa a safe journey home!

 

Like it?  Love it?  Like it!  Love it!

  

Does this mean we need a drum room?

She’s a natural!

The Pond family is so musical – Noelle is going to love singing and playing all our instruments!

Giving Grandma her Christmas presents.

 

 

Our silly girl!  Noelle staring at the picture of herself that we gave Grandma.

We wish all the Ponds a very Merry Christmas!

 

One last wagon ride with cousin Ebert

  

One last clown face

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One last ornament on the tree

 

One last yo-yo spin

 

 

One last song on the piano

 

One last ride on Drew’s "pillar" 

 

And… One last VICTORY dance!

It was so great seeing Brad and Destiny over Christmas and meeting their precious baby boy!  Breckin is exactly one year younger than Noelle – we love our May babies! 

Santa Claus came to East Texas!

"Broder" and Noelle on Christmas morning

 

Fancy purse, girlfriend.  Cute grin!

 

Make a funny face!

Santa came to see us big kids too! 

 

This reminded me of the plank Bible story – Noelle was trying to get Drew’s bow off all morning!

 

 

Pretty funny!  I love my sister!

Christmas afternoon wagon ride

Bye guys – have FUN with Rara!

Ready to go to the Christmas Eve service in honor of Granny and our Christmas Eve tradition with her. 

 

Thanks to Andy and Michele, Drew and Noelle had a blast at church!  Thanks guys for hanging out with them in the commons.

Christmas Eve dinner was so delicious!  I was about to dig in but decided to take a quick picture, however, I forgot to move my fork back into place – haha!  Rara even made us cookie place cards – so sweet!

 

We draw names with the Banks family for Secret Santa gifts that we exchange on Christmas Eve.  Michele drew my name, and to my amazement, she painted Noelle a canvas!  Thanks so so much Michele; you’re the best, and I LOVE IT! (she even put a clock on the castle, and Noelle totally noticed)

I drew Dad’s name and made him a personalized calendar, and guess what?  The kids’ pjs still fit!

   

 

 

 

Alphabet books from Aunt Joe!

 

Noelle’s new baby from the Felts – she loves her new pink princess!  Drew and his mommy snuggle for his bedtime story.

Out of the 26 alphabet books, Noelle found the clock in the "C" book – she never seizes to amaze and surprise us!  She was showing everyone her discovery.

 

The Days were the best carolers we’ve ever heard – thanks for coming to wish us a Merry Christmas!

Family tradition of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas reading.

Night night!

Noelle learned the word "buzzard" on the Yule log hike Monday.

Buzzards!  Great word.  Everyone point!

Bank on Banks found the Yule Log that we used to start the fire on Christmas morning.  Dad taught us about the land in East Texas on our hike and how this natural spring has water year round.

 

The guys and Michele made it to the top of the peak. 

Bonus Yule Log goes to Bank on Banks… and it all comes down to Pictionary.

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

2007 Family Christmas Olympics!

Introducing… Bank on Banks!

The Ebert Gang!

Team Pond!

 

The whole family finally got our baby girl to smile for a family photo!

 

Go Team Pond!

Wow – Noelle got really into the cheering!

Wha hoo!

Boo!

 

Sweet girl!

 

Kissy kissy!

Let the games begin!

Spades tournament!

 

Bank on Banks is already losing focus!

Rifle and Pistol class

  

"In Flight"

Our funny funny parents seem to constantly crack themselves up!

 

The kids got to open some first presents Sunday night!

 

 

The cousins together again!  Auntie Chele is the best!

If only this picture had a soundtrack!

Yay!  What a fun birthday surprise!

Making a very important wish!

Waiting for Rara and Jax to come back inside.  It’s cold!

 

The Pond store is officially open.  Mike and I brought seasonal snacks for the gang this week; popcorn and m&ms were our staples.

Watching the Cowboys game out at the family center.

Oh the cheese!  What are you guys going to do with me?

Drew gave Noelle’s bouncy seat back from borrowing it.

I think it’s too small for you silly!