San Antonio or bust!

Over the Christmas Break we took a 3 day trip to San Antonio. Santa brought Ryan 2 Alamo Bowl tickets and this 8 year old was EXCITED about the game and the trip! Mark found a wonderful deal at the JW Marriot and off we went. My favorite part was hanging out with these two and not cooking, cleaning or doing much of anything for three days----aaahhhhh my kind of getaway!

When we arrived they were running around the lobby like wild men. And you know that I just let them run and run and then run down the halls and race to the elevator every time! We were on Vacation!

Ally's picture taking skills. She thought this pic was HI-Larious so I included it just for her :).

Getting ready to root on the Bears! The game didn't START until 8, so Ally and I hung out and watched a movie in the room.

And they're off! GO Bears! They played a great game and came away with a victory.

The next day we discovered the game room. Mark could play Miss Packman all day long!

Ally schooled everyone in the driving game. TWICE!

It was 82 degrees the whole weekend and felt like Spring so we explored the resort,

ate at a cool sports restaurant,

and then these guys went swimming---in JANUARY!!! The water was heated and they had an absolute blast at the pool and lazy river.

On our last night we visited with Mark's older brother, Mike. The kids loved burning cedar at Mike's new house. I think Mark had just as much fun as the kids did :).

And finally no trip to SA is complete without a visit to Ryan's favorite restaurant Chama Gaucha. It did not disappoint!

After a hectic December this is just what we all needed.

I hope we'll be back soon!

The Purdy Family PJ Pic

As promised...



Honestly I think this one depicts our family better :)



Happy 2012!!

Christmas Eve and Christmas morning Purdy style

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year. I honestly was very busy all month and was really looking forward to a few peaceful days with my little four pack. It was a much needed blessing to s-l-o-w down, sleep in, play games, eat great food and visit with my favorite people in the world. Thank you Lord for this time to reflect on your Son and for the continued Grace and Mercy you show us each and every day.

Christmas Eve was freezing!! I know it's cold when Ryan actually wears pants (he is always wearing shorts and it drives me a little nuts). It wasn't too cold to keep these 3 from hooping it up outside :).

We let Ally and Ryan open their gifts to each other early and this will probably be a new Wood family tradition because it spaced things out a bit and they were SUPER EXCITED!!

Ryan really liked his new DS game :). I see this scene a lot these days.

Then we went to Honey and GP's and let the Festivities begin. We let all the cousins draw a name and they got to choose a book for that person. This was a great idea sisters and we'll be doing this again next year too! Can you feel the anticipation?

The 8 books, each carefully chosen

Cousin twins again---these two are thick as thieves.

Pinkalicious!!

and a Phineas and Ferb chapter book for Ryan

We LOVE our books!!

Ally forced Aunt Kacey to read it immediately.

And then presents and more presents....such fun!

Dad read the Christmas story and we all headed to the Christmas Eve service

When we got back it was PJ time!!! We all have matching PJ'a...I mean ALL 18 of us, I'll post that picture soon---it's a keeper. My sweet Nana and her friend Sam were also with us this Christmas although I have no pictures to prove that. SO sorry NANA! I lost some major photo steam after the service. We were thrilled that you guys were here and absolutely LOVE getting to spend time with you.

After a short sleep it was CHRISTMAS MORNING!!! And of course Santa came and visited us at Honey and GP's.

Ally's stocking

Ryan's stocking

I wish Ryan I could have bottled Ryan and Ally's excitement when they ran into to find their stocking!! Ryan will never show his emotions in a picture but believe me he was STOKED that we're going to San Antonio to the Alamo Bowl!!

He's gonna wear this...

And Ally and I are gonna relax at the hotel while the boys go to the very late game :).

She was thrilled about her Barbie bike (and maybe even MORE excited about the mini Barbie bike that came with it)

Stocking madness

And then we had one of the best meals ever. Steak, twice baked potatoes and all the fixings. YUM!

Merry Christmas

from the Woods

to you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

"For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Price of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Fun in December!

What a fun month!! December is always a super packed month and this year was no exception. We started the Christmas season off right with a performance by Ally Wood for Christmas Chapel. This girl LOVES to SING!! She did great:).

There was also a stellar performance by Charley and Stacey

GP and Ryan watched the greatness from the audience

After singing it was off to her classroom for the first of about 7,000 Christmas treats consumed by this super sweet girl!

Such a fun pre-k class

me and my star!

I found this little angel hanging out in the lunch room! He really is a angel most of the time...

We delivered gifts to a family in need

Such a great act of service that my dad has done for years. I got to experience this growing up and it's the COOLEST thing to share this now with my children. This year Stacey and Ally also got to participate and it was a huge blessing for all of us.

No December would be complete without a trip to see SANTA!! The big man visited Central National Bank and we opted for this rather than the mall this year. It was really a great experience. Ally was a bit timid at first but then warmed up and told Santa she wanted 'paint' :). Love that crafty girl! Ryan also sat on Santa's lap and told Santa he wanted Alamo Bowl Tickets this year for Christmas. He is a TRUE BU fan!! I had to laugh that I look a wee bit like Santa with my ever expanding belly:))))

Cousin twins

And then ALL the cousins. This is one big, crazy, excited group!!

Matchy matchy and

lil' matchy. Caroline's personality is really starting to sHiNe :)

On Christmas Eve we decorated our family gingerbread house. Every year it's a race to see who can get their side finished first. Nice work guys!

I hope you all had a JOY filled December as well!!