The Harrison Family: Holiday Season 2014

The Harrison's had a busy but amazing holiday season. It seems like we have an entire month of non-stop activities! We started with Riley's annual Christmas performance in the Kingwood park. This is her second year in the dance studio and she has really started to love dance and come out of her shell. She is doing tap and ballet and I think she likes this much more than what she did last year. I was so proud of her in this performance... she loved the stage and really tried to watch the teachers cues to nail the moves. Below is the video of her performance and a few photos:

So proud of this little dancer...

This was the first meeting with Santa this year... Carter was NOT a fan but Riley loved him!

Next we had the annual school Christmas Programs. Carter, as much as he LOVES to sing.... decided that he would rather sit on moms lap and watch everyone sing. I was surprised as I thought for sure he would have performed but he was too interested in the people watching. I did get some cute photos of him and his friends. Riley, this year did not disappoint. Usually she gets shy and does not really sing but this year I was very impressed with her stage presence and how well she did! Both kids were beyond excited that Nanny and Maggie came to the performance. Riley loved showing her baby cousin off to all of her friends. Here are the photos from the day:

Carter and his main squeeze Ainsley

My little reindeer

So happy to see his Nanny and Maggie!

Carter and his teacher Miss Ana

Carter loving the blueberry Muffins!

Me and my princess

Riley and Jake... they have been in class together since the beginning and are the best of friends

Riley and her teacher aide Miss Gabby

Riley and her teacher Miss April

Riley Reed and Rhys... best buddies

Riley and Rhys

Every year we take the kids to Santa's wonderland in College Station. Its a great trip and the kids have a blast. We pick them up from school and drive about 2 hours to college station, have dinner then head into Santa's Wonderland as soon as it opens. Its this amazing old town covered in lights and they have a Santa's cottage with real reindeer in cages outside, a dancing Frosty the snowman, a hayride through an amazing light show, and plenty of fun food and music to enjoy. The kids think its the most magical place and it just have the best time. During this trip Carter actually was ok with Santa so we got a decent picture! Both kids made the nice list too so they were very happy!

Typical in Texas Santa wears a cowboy hat!

We tried to get pictures with Maggie, Carter and Riley with Santa but that did not end up working out as we planned. The line was super long and after an hour of waiting and no end in sight we had to give up. Ana and Elsa were walking around the lines and Riley was thrilled to see them... so we had to stop for a picture.

Riley wrote Santa a note this year letting him know we were going to New Orleans and asking him to come early so Santa came the day before new years eve. We picked the kids up from school and they found a note from Santa and some neat presents. Carter got a roller coaster as his big present and he loves it! We could not get him off of it to open his other presents. He also got some big boy underwear, a new olaf stuffed animal, some kinetic sand, an Olaf cup, some Legos and plenty of other fun things. Santa brought Riley an Elsa Dress, some light up shoes, a wand, some educational toys,

Rileys note to Santa

Santa Came

Santa and the elf Frosty's note to the kids

Carter riding his roller coaster

This is the roller coaster

Elsa Slippers!

Carter drawing on his Magna Doodle

Carter modeling his big boy panties

Loving on daddy

The Elsa dress she has been wanting!

The full outfit.. with the tiara, the wand and the shoes!

Here are some other random holiday photos:

Riley and her friends for PJ day at school

Riley after her 4 years shots... ICE CREAM!

Ice Cream

Riley and daddy doing the ginger bread house

This year was Renton Family Christmas and we were so excited to head to Louisiana for a fun New Orleans Family Christmas. This was the first time all 7 of the Great Grandkids were going to be together. Its so fun to get together with all the family and let all the kids play together and visit. The food was of course amazing and I loved getting to spend time with everyone and to watch the kids play. My kids had a blast with their cousins and LOVED Hailey, Emily and Jacob... I am still hearing all about them and how much the kids want to play with them. Here are some of the photos I took (I took a lot!)

Aunt Donna and Maggie

Riley and Alexis

All the kids sitting in Aunt Dawns bed watching Frozen

Grandpa with his great grand daughters

Anna, Leah and Maggie

Kiptyn

Carter LOVES Hailey

Riley LOVES Hailey too!

Caroline and Emily

Riley with her Great Grandma!

Mom and dad with the kids and grandkids

My bunch

The entire family... what an amazing bunch!

Riley and Caroline!

On the day after Christmas we did a Christmas celebration with just immediate family at moms house. The kids had a blast playing and opening up presents. I love getting to see the cousins together and playing so well together. They really are growing up to be great friends!