Family Christmas Night at FPC...

Jake & Mathew planned to meet up at church

for the annual Christmas Family dinner.

We all came for a yummy pasta dinner

w/ fun family crafts to eat & take home. 

Jake enjoyed the 'eatting the candy parts' part best. 

Mimi made a 'special' snowman.

YUMMY in the cousins tummies!

The Nicholson family won 'best snowman' design!

Cousins at Christmas time!

It's gonna be a GREAT Christmas!

Family Christmas card photo opt...

Merry Christmas from the

Owen/DelNegri/Nicholson Families!

Christmas 2010.

(including Mr. Potato Head, Kid Tree, Trains & Nativity)

Jake. 

Cousin Love.

Jake & Lily Kate.

Jake & Addy Jean.

Jake found Mimi's elf.

Jake plays with Mimi's very special

Christmas tree made by Uncle Kevin.

(mommy loved to play w/ it too when she was Jake's age)

Happyland Ho-Ho-Ho Christmas Brunch...

Jake's school had a special

Christmas brunch for families.

Daddy had to work, but Mimi & Aunt KK joined us.

...and of course, Buzz Light Year!

Mimi shows Buzz HER lasers! 

Jake had so much fun with his pals.

Oh Mathew...that is a BIG breakfast plate you have.

You are my best bud.

That is so silly Abigail!

'Addison, what is on your Wish-List for Santa?'-Jake

Jake, Addison, Abigail and Scott

wait for their turn to sit on Santa's lap.

Jake did great sitting on Santa's lap

and even got a special candy cane.

Merry Christmas to all!

Jake visits Santa...

Jake ASKED US to go visit with Santa

to let him know Jake's wish-list.

We packed up and headed to the Galleria.

(even in BIG BOY pants) 

Jake had a long list to report to Santa.

Buzz Light Year, Spider Man, Trucks...

Santa even got Jake to sing 'Jingle Bells' for him.

(He did such a great job Santa gave him a special elf)

In the DelNegri fashion... 

Like father...

Like son!

Jake picks his own Christmas tree...

We visited the 'Happy Holidays' tree lot

to find the perfect DelNegri Family tree.

Jake & Buzz looked around...

Jake found daddy & told him

that he found 'THE ONE'.

Dad & Jake with OUR TREE.

You get a discount if your child loads the tree himself.

After all of that hard work,

Jake checks out the rest of the tree lot.

Jake & Buzz were happy with their selection.

Off to decorate the tree...

Jake's Family Adventure to Lion Country Safari...

The family visited Lion Country Safari.

The first part of the trip was in the car,

checking out all of the animals in their habitats.

Jake got to sit in the front seat with mom & dad.

We saw the aldabra tortoise...

The eland...

The most impressive southern white rhinoceros...

The giant S Zebra...

The highly intelligent chimpanzee...

(collecting their own food tossed from the boat in bags)

And the moment we all have been waiting for...

The Gorgongosa Reserve...the LIONS.

The boy lions were a bit sleepy...

As were the ladies...one did happen to pop her head up.

NOT very exciting for a family who had driven from FTL to see LIONS.

(the sign said they sleep up to 20 hours a day...go figure)

We made the most of it!

After the reserve, we went to the

Safari World Amusement Park.

Jake found LOTS of things to do there.

He rode the merry-go-round with daddy.

We went on the paddle boats.

Mommy & Daddy peddled while Jake did the steering.

Next stop....feeding the giraffe.

They look pretty darn cute, but just wait until you see them eat.

How gross is that?

Jake wasn't too interested in feeding them.

YES Grandpa Ted...we made sure to WASH UP afterwards.

(and we didn't even touch the animals)

And for the most exciting part of the trip for Jake...

Getting to ride the Ferris Wheel with Daddy.

I don't know who was more excited!

Jake did spot the Safari Splash spot from above.

He was wanting to head over there next.

And so we did! (even though it was a bit chilly)

It was Jake's day (and what day isn't)!