More Christmas!

Today we visited Aunt Di's house. It was lovely because Granny and Papa were there! Also, Lauren is home to visit from Washington D.C.. She brought her boyfriend Ryon as well. And Beck and Ted and the twins joined, and we had a big old fashioned Christmas.

Only we forgot to do the traditional kid chant of "WE WANT THE PRESENTS!" in front of the tree. We just kind of dove in!

It was great to get to see all of my family and visit with Granny, Papa and Lauren. I posted all of the pictures on smugmug (link is to the right) but I'm sharing a couple here.

....and I still haven't taken my tree down yet....

Whew... we made it!

It seems like it just started, but Christmas is actually over!

As usual, December kicked off with Clara's Tea. The event where Julia and I get to dress up and go to a tea party - just for girls! We get to enjoy some finger foods and sweet desserts at fancy tables, and then watch a story book performance of the Nutcracker. In this feature, the story of The Nutcracker is read while the dancers give brief dancing performances. Afterward, the girls are able to get autographs from all of the dancers. We were lucky to have Julia's best friend Megan and our friend Marissa go with us. Neither of them had ever been before, so we were happy to introduce them to the tradition. I took lots and lots of pictures!

Although I covered this topic in my last post, it snowed in Sugar Land the following week! It was a huge deal, and the kids are still talking about it. It amazes me to hear all of the stories from everyone about the inches of snow they got! Even though our snow didn't stick enough to pile up it was still very exciting to us.

The next weekend was the actual Nutcracker performance. Our babysitter, Kelly, danced Snow Queen this year. It was so exciting to see her dance the part, and she did such a great job! Julia brought her some roses.

We hosted a party at our house the same weekend for Mike's staff at the Wellness Center. We had a lovely weekend with his group and their spouses and children. We got our chocolate fountain going - which was a huge hit with the kids. The party concluded with a fairly polite White Elephant game!

We spent Christmas Eve at Michael's parents house. It was so nice to eat a yummy rib roast dinner, visit with our family - including James and Maly - and introduce them all to the "A Christmas Story" marathon on TBS. Yes, I know! They had never seen it! My favorite part is still when Ralphie says the bad word while helping "The Old Man" change the tire...

Unbelievably, we had to wake the kids up on Christmas morning! And we only did this because we had to get the show on the road since we were hosting the family at our house on Christmas Day. We had such a good time watching the kids tear into their gifts.

My mother's family came over mid-day for the Christmas celebration. I made the turkey this year, and it turned out very well. I put it in a brine mixture for 14 hours, and it really did make it a nice juicy turkey! Aunt Theresa stayed late with us and we played Boom Blocks on the Wii. Brandon never did get a nap, so he crashed - in the middle of the playroom floor - by 6:30 pm!

I'm so tickled about the response from my Christmas cards this year! Each year I get very busy at work since it is benefit season, and I've found it hard to find the time - or be creative - when it comes to my annual greeting, so this year I called in for help. Michael's cousin, Diane, runs a printing business in Idaho, and I loved her cards last year so much that I decided to hire her - in August! I sent the pictures and the text, and she sent me proofs. The cards were shipped, so all I had to do was stuff the envelopes and mail them! I started getting lots of positive feedback immediately. So I must give a shout out to Diane. THANK YOU!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We've counted our blessings this year and look forward to a wonderful 2009. I took lots and lots of pictures this season, so if you'd like to check them out, click on the link on the right side of my blog. (You may have to scroll up a little!)

Weather That Can Only Be Seen In Texas

Hello. It's snowing.

I think that phrase, next to "it's just not humid enough" is something you don't regularly hear 'round these parts.

BUT IT'S SNOWING!

I had to run an errand for work today, and as hectic as it was, I couldn't resist sticking my tongue out like a kid to catch a snowflake!

And what a sight to see driving up to pick up Julia and Hayden from the District Extended Day. Each and every kid was outside near the bike racks, running frantically in circles - yes, tongues sticking out - enjoying this white stuff! I know the teachers were loving it, because the kids were literally entertaining themselves.

To think it was 78 degrees yesterday evening, and our house was stifling hot. When I got home I opened both the front and back doors to get some cool air, as the cold front was just starting to come through. Needless to say, I didn't have them open all that long...

And we will be back in the mid seventies by the weekend.

As the post title says - Only In Texas!!!!

AAAAANNNNNDDDDD we're off!!!

Nanner Nanner NAAAAANNNER!!!!

Okay, that's out of my system, but COME ON! I have to gloat a LITTLE that I'm at least a tiny bit ahead of the game here... I mean, there are even presents under there! Which means, yes, we ventured out into the dangerous jungle called... BLACK FRIDAY!

But I'll back up some.

Julia is in on the big secret now. You know, the BIG one. Yes, she knows the truth about Santa Claus. It didn't come as much of a shock to her. Last year, I had a suspicion the jig was up when she said, "Mom, can I ask you a question, and do you promise you'll tell me the truth." Of course, my love, I said. Thinking before speaking, she said slowly, "On Christmas Eve, do you and Dad get up after midnight and go to the store, buy gifts for us and pretend they are from Santa Claus?" Heaving a huge sigh of relief, I answered, "Julia, I promise you that on Christmas Eve, me and Dad do NOT get up after midnight and go to the store." She looked skeptical. "Pinky promise!" I said, extending my fourth finger out. Good enough for her. "You got off on a technicality!" laughed my husband.

So he thought it was time to let her in on the big reveal, thinking she should know about it before kids make fun of her in school. So since Hayden was safely across town, we brought her down and told her. I figured she would fall apart (I did!) but she was really cool with it. She's excited to be in on the joke so she can have fun watching her brothers now.

Yesterday we had a great time at my mother's house in the Woodlands for Thanksgiving. I spent a great deal of time squeezing on my nephew, Jackson. Don't tell my mother, but he was more delicious than the turkey! He is such a good baby! He cracked a big grin at me a couple of times, but mostly, he was happy just to lay or sleep with me holding him. We were able to visit with my dad and Kathy, my grandparents and more family. And for those of you who are dying to know, Julia loves pumpkin pie. Go figure.

We got home rather late and got the kids into bed. I don't think I moved all night long, I was so tired. And my good night's sleep was complete since Boo decided he wouldn't come get in bed with me between the hours of 3 and 6AM! So Mike and I woke up at 7AM, looked at each other and said "What the heck. Let's go."

We hit Starbucks first, but then on to Target, the mall, lunch, Sam's, Wal-Mart, and back to Target. Then home, nap with Brandon, wrap presents and put the tree up. And it was truly a team effort. This year Brandon loved putting the ornaments on the tree, and three hours later, he hasn't taken a single one back off!

While we're certainly not finished, we're off to a better start than I thought we would be. I would say we're about 70% there. And the deals, oh my, I love a good deal, and there were LOTS of them!

So as they say, LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!! It's time for Christmas!

BONUS BLOG!

I saw this on another blog and had to do it!

Everything you wanted...and didn't want...to know about Michael!

Where did you meet?
We didn’t officially meet until two months after summer band started in August of 1988 at Sam Rayburn High School. I had to practically stalk him before he approached me and handed me a note in the hallway at school.

How long did you date?
6 years

How long have we been married?
15 years this August. Whoa.

What does he say that surprises you?
Can’t think of anything in particular, although he loves to say things that bug me. He says he does it because he loves me.

What is your favorite feature about him?
His eyes, his smile, and he has nice hands.

What is your favorite quality of his?
He is so patient.

Does he have a nickname for you?
He calls me “Honey”.

What is his favorite color?
Mmmm, green or blue, I think.

What is his favorite sport?
He loves football.

What is his favorite food?
I can’t really say he likes a type of food more than others, because he eats a variety of things… as long as they don’t have onions in them.

Where and when did you first kiss?
HA! I love this question because it’s a source of debate. The first actual kiss was in the foyer of his house with my mother waiting in the car outside, October of 1988. I know because I felt it for days afterward. While he says he remembers that kiss, he insists that our second kiss was our first kiss. We argue about this regularly.

What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
I suppose aside from the obvious : ) we like to watch our favorite shows together: The Office, The Amazing Race, The Soup, Lost….

Do you have children?
Some of the most gorgeous ever, yes. Julia is 9, Hayden will be 6 next month, and Brandon is 2 ½.

Does he have a hidden talent?
SOOO many! He’s a great cook, landscaper, carpenter, doctor….

How old is he?
34, but a year and a half younger – which he loves to remind me of quite often.

Who said "I love you first?"
Well, probably me. He was so shy, and I’m so…. not shy.

What is his favorite type of music?
Alternative, although he listens to a broad range often.

What do you admire most about him?
He is every woman’s dream as far as a husband, friend and father. He is nuts about his kids.

Do you think he will read this?
He’ll pretend not to, but I know he regularly reads my blog. BUSTED!

Where did you go on your first date?
HA! To Rayburn’s homecoming, which was actually just the football game. We were in band. Little did we know my parents sat right behind his parents and trash talked about Michael the whole time – which they heard!

Thanksgiving Eve

Ahhhh....

Four consecutive days off!!!! EVERYBODY SAY "HAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!"

It is so blissfully quiet at home right now. Could it be my rowdy kindergartner is in The Woodlands with my mother? Why yes! He's getting some quality one-on-one with Nina and Paw Paw tonight before we join them and the rest of the family for Thanksgiving tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to the holiday this year, particularly because it will be the first time I've spent the day with my dad in I don't know how many years. He and my step-mother Kathy are coming to my mother's house. Some say that's weird, but in our case, it's not.

Talk about a minimal week! Mike and I tag teamed this week in regard to care for the two big kids. Since school is closed all week for the Holiday, our alternative was to put them both in Kids R Kids for 3 days. But given that they wanted a full week of tuition, $140 each, well, an alternative was necessary. So I took Monday off, Mike took Tuesday off. Today they drove all over Houston with Michael's dad in his big wrecker! That leaves me working just two days this week.

So a great day tomorrow will start with Julia and I preparing our sweet potato dish, all while watching the Thanksgiving parade on TV. Does anyone besides me and Julia LOVE that parade? It's such a tradition!! They were cracking up the other day at the commercial where big balloon Stewie...and the other one, (that, for some reason has escaped me at the moment...) battle over the balloon Coke bottle, ultimately to end up with Charlie Brown. So cute.

Julia has also informed us that she wants to try pumpkin pie. This I just don't quite understand...? Pumpkin pie is just the most perfect Thanksgiving treat, so undeniably yummy, I can't fathom anyone needing to get their gumption up to try it? I bought a huge one at Sam's today and am secretly hoping that no one else wants any so that I can have as much as I want!

And Friday, the tree will go up. My husband has told me that he thinks he needs to be somewhere.... The punk.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you. May you enjoy your time with your families and give thanks!

A Nine Year-Old Girl and a "Clipping Up" Boy

Well, its officially official now. We have a tween.

Julia's birthday was Friday, and even before then, it seems we had celebrated her birthday at least 5 times already! In any case, her party was Friday evening at Sweet and Sassy, where she and 7 of her friends enjoyed "A Night on the Red Carpet". What's that? See the pictures by clicking the link to the right of this post and look in the "November 2008" folder. (Our beautiful pictures from Wurstfest are in the same folder. )

And how's this for a change? Our Hayden has clipped up to blue two days in a row! I know most of you don't know what that means, but let's just say it's a good thing. He is very proud of himself.

I know my posts have been short and not as frequent - sorry - but I barely have time to sit these days, and the time that I do have to sit, the creativity just isn't coming. Tired, tired and more tired. Funny how I always say this time of year gives me energy, but at the end of the day, I feel sapped of it more than ever!

Until Next Year...

Wow, we could not have asked for a more perfect weekend to go to the river this year.

We've been going to Wurstfest in November for almost 20 years, and we've never seen fall foliage. Fall must have come early this year because the trees were just BEAUTIFUL. I couldn't stop taking pictures. It was so awesome just to sit, listen and look around. I guess if I had one gripe at all, it would be that the river was very, very low, and didn't sing the way it normally does. But all things considered, it was picture perfect... see above for proof!

Mike picked me up from work early last Thursday and we took off. We arrived early in the afternoon and met up with my two aunts, and later our friend Jim. It was COLD - but yes, we love it that way! A roaring fire and some great campsite food is the way to go!

The next day, my aunt's friends arrived and some more of our friends, bringing our group total to 12. We played board games by the river, visited the dam at Canyon Lake and cruised River Road in the Mini. A perfect day.

Wurstfest was Friday night, a change from the regular routine because we usually go on Saturdays. This worked out better because it wasn't nearly as crowded! Although we missed out on the traditional chicken dance, our group had a great time eating some fabulous food and dancing to the "ooompa" music!

That left one more full day at the river and campsite, more games, more cruising, more laughing, more relaxing...

Perfect. Weekends such as these make it very hard to wait for the next one!