The Krauska Family Blog

Since I was off for 2 weeks for Christmas break, I wanted to have a day where Brooke and I went and did something fun together, just her and I. I decided to take her back to the Dallas World Aquarium. She hadn’t been since she was a baby, so I knew it wasn’t anything she would remember. She loves animals and loves exploring so I was excited to take her here. I decided to not take the stroller and just have her walk or carry her from time to time. This ended up working out awesome, I loved being the mom without the large stroller trying to get through the crowd! Brooke wasn’t too sure about the large aquariums you could walk up to until I reassured here there was glass, funny kid. Every animal she would see, she would say hi and then blow it a kiss when we decided to move on to the next exhibit. She did great without a stroller and walked most of the time while we were there. I had a blast on our mommy daughter date, thanks Brooke for being Mommy’s special date today, I love you!

really close to the sloth

The manatee, she loved these, just like her mommy does!

Checking out all the fish.

Playing with the toys she got in the gift shop.

I stopped to take this picture for the colors...Brooke called him a chicken while I was taking this picture.

This year Brooke understood more of celebrating Jesus and the idea of Santa Claus. We put out a cookie and milk for Santa and had a bag for Santa to put her toys in from him. Every year before she goes to bed, Brandon and I read her the Night before Christmas and then pray together. I think she knew she was getting toys the next morning because she woke up twice during the night and ended up in our bed. When she woke up Christmas morning she was so excited and kept telling us Santa came. We had to get Daddy up and moving and then made our way into the living room. She opened her bag from Santa first, then her stocking, then her presents from Mommy and Daddy. She loved opening presents and was excited to open more when Nana, Grandma and PaPa came too with more presents. She did get a little distracted when opening some gifts because she wanted to open them and play with them rather than going on to the next gift. We made it through all the gifts and managed to put all the toys away and get my house back to a normal state. After eating lunch we typically go and see a movie but this year we stayed home and played games instead. I actually like this a lot better because we had such a great time playing games, we even cried because we were laughing so hard. Maybe this can be our new tradition on Christmas! We had a very Merry Christmas and are truly blessed as parents and blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Brooke telling the people on the couch to look her way and smile.

GG, Uncle Mike, Aunt Susan and Grandma doing what Brooke asked, lol.

Brandon carving the turkey, it was so good!

Nana and Brooke on Christmas.

Grandma, Brooke and Papa on Christmas.

Aunt Allison and Brooke, they both have funny faces in this picture.

Every year fro Christmas Eve, we all go to church together then go over to my mom’s house. My mom has friends and family over to her house, so it so fun to have all of us together for Christmas Eve. We always eat and then have a gift exchange. This year I decided we needed a game so I made up a Christmas Trivia game for everyone. We also have a birthday cake for Jesus and sing Happy Birthday to Him. The kids get to blow out the candle for his Birthday, I love this tradition. I hope it’s one the kids will always remember and carry on when they get older!

Brooke in her Christmas Eve dress

Brooke with her coat on, she looked so cute!

Waiting to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

We love Grandma!

and PaPa too!

Nana and Brooke, we love you Nana!

GG

The Ethridge family portrait. Oh how I miss my Daddy!

Our family on Christmas Eve.

I love eating these things and yet have never made these either. I have been in a baking mood and am kicking out some great treats here in my kitchen the past few days. I hope you try these out they are so yummy! My daughter stole one off the counter this morning, I guess she thought she needed one for her breakfast.

roll into quarter sized balls then roll them in a bowl of sugar before placing them on the cookie sheet