Higgins of 5: January 2013

December flew by this year! I blinked and it was time for the Christmas holidays. Within all the hustle and bustle it's nice to stop and reflect knowing it's all because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Looking through the eyes of the cross, this little baby saved me... and all who know Him. What sweet peace we can rest in.

It all started with volunteering at our church as a puppeteer for the "Kids Crazy Christmas Show." I had practice every night of the week and then performed 7 shows altogether. Ashlee participated in it too with the church dance team. It's a lot of time and work, but I love to serve in this manner...making kids laugh and love the true meaning of Christmas.

Some how between puppet show practice, homework, and Christmas shopping we found time during the first week to visit a Christmas tree farm near our home. Bringing home a real tree has become a family tradition in our house. This year we found a beautiful 12 foot tree that gave us a pine aroma for the whole month of December. Our house smelled so good!!!

Hayride out to the trees


Searching for the perfect tree

Found it!

Ashlee jumps into action

James tries his hand at it!

Darrell is contemplating the 12 footer

Taking a li'l siesta

And it came down!!!

Time to get it on the hayride back before it gets dark

Beautiful sunset on our hayride back to the farm

Yay! Apple cider!

And hot chocolate!


Can't wait to get it home!

Once we got our tree in the door at our house we realized that there was no way it was going to fit. So Darrell ended up chopping off another 3 feet so we could put our angel topper on. But I still believe that our tree this year was the best one that we have ever had! It was just perfect!!!

On December 10th, my bestie, Monica, gave birth to our precious bundle of joy, Isaac Antonio! Roger and Monica have been waiting for this day for many years and after 9 looong months he is finally here! He makes my heart melt!!!

Moe and her most precious blessing

Isaac Antonio Flores

Yes, I am a proud Tia!

Don't you just want to kiss those lips!

During our holiday festivities, Sydney and Ashlee played their instruments in their school band Winter concerts. Sydney made her very first debut playing her French Horn. Her band had only played together for a couple of months and did an excellent job of Jingle Bells!

Once the school break started, we decided to take a trip up to College Station to see Santa's Wonderland. It's a place known for displaying over 2 1/2 million lights spread throughout an acre of land. We visited on one of the "peak nights" so we weren't able to drive our private vehicle through but were able to catch a hayride instead. After the lights we stopped and looked through the gift shops, listened to live music, and toasted by the campfire.

The week before Christmas, Ashlee went to visit her family in East Texas for a week. She was missed but made it home in time to celebrate Christmas Eve with the Higgins'. Christmas Eve was a blast hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Susan and Uncle Travis and the cousins.

The teenagers

The girls

James and Drew Drew

The battle begins!

Grandma and Ava

The boys!

Christmas morning we awoke to find that Santa had come! We had a little family time and opened some gifts before heading over to celebrate Christmas with the Powell's side of the family. We met at Aunt Brenda's for an innocent white elephant game that is always fun with the family.

Mimi and Sydney enjoying each others company

Playing white elephant game

Grandpa and Darrell hanging out

Later Christmas Day we packed up the Expedition and headed to Austin to visit the Hoenerhoff's side of the family. After an intense windy drive, we arrived safely just after dinner time. Over the next 4 days, we opened gifts, played games, ate delicious food, and enjoyed each others company.

Gma had a tasty menu for us, including her creative, fun touches.

Smiley face pumpkin pizza

Snowman pancakes with bacon scarfs and chocolate chips

The men decided to play golf in the cold, wet weather while the women shopped until we dropped. Thank goodness our cousin Philip was able to get off of work to hang out with James. James loves his big cousin and the two were happy campers in the midst of the women's shopping spree because they had each other! LOL!

Below are some of the treasured gifts and moments of our Christmas visit.