Seventy.Six/Three.Six.Five

Christmas in Beaumont.

It's a time to relax.

Enjoy the outdoors.

Enjoy home cooking.

Enjoy making cookies.

Enjoy the Hallmark Channel.

And it didn't disappoint.

However, I will say there is one very important man whose absence is forever felt.

We love you Opa.

Seventy.Five/Three.Six.Five

Each year we try to get the kids out for some Christmas light looking.  It's a holiday must, right?  Unfortunately, with the new "thing" that people do (hiring a 'company' to put up and take down lights - just NONSENSE in my opinion) the lights in the neighborhood are just lame.  Think Stepford.  All the same.  All boring.

So this year we decided to go elsewhere.  Voted one of the best neighborhoods in Houston we headed further into Katy to see what the fuss was all about.

I can't say it was jaw dropping, but what it did have, was an 'old-school' feel.  Each house had it's own throw-down of lights, decor, pictures, holograms and even a street set to music.

It felt right.

Seventy.Four/Three.Six.Five

We waited 2+ hours waiting for our chance to go through the ICE exhibition.

We were walking out of it in just under 15 minutes.

Cakes face tells you why.  The feelings were mutual.

Cold.  Just Cold.

Seventy.Three/Three.Six.Five

Because nothing says Christmas in Texas like Longhorns.

(And don't miss the hidden Elf!)

Seventy.Two/Three.Six.Five

This guy.

He was missing from yesterday's photo, because as luck would have it, things just didn't quite go our way when we got to the Gaylord and he had to leave early for prior engagements (may be what we get for not really looking into the way it worked prior)...but regardless, we made sure he got at least one chance to be the big kid that he is.

As always, he was a great sport.

It's a selfie world.

That wasn't really that exciting, Mom.

(In my opinion, for the pretty penny it cost...it should have gone on for miles.)

Seventy.One/Three.Six.Five

The day the kids got out of school for winter break we decided to make the drive to Dallas to hang out with our favorite people.  (Dad is missing because he decided to support his Coogs one last time this season...in Vegas.)

As always, we had a great time, even though the temps dropped to the teens while we were there, and then we decided what would be even better than to stay cozy indoors was to be part of the THOUSANDS to visit the Gaylord and it's Ice Spectacular.....hmmm....

Notice the drink in Jessie's hand.  There was good reason for that.

Love you Steeles.

Seventy/Three.Six.Five

And here is where I start making my own rules.

The Holidays.

In theory, it would be great to think that I had my camera 24/7 over the next several weeks.  With all the family, friends, outings, games, dinners - so on and so forth - that are getting ready to take place, you would think it is the perfect time to work on my skill.

But 'theory' is all there is.

So, I will simply be highlighting some of my favorite pictures that I did take during the holiday "break".  I can't say they are technically stunning, or push the envelope in any way shape or form, but they document the season.  It's my favorite time of year, but always amazes me as to how tiring it is!

So here is to the last few weeks of 2017.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!