I loved having us all dressed in our Sunday AND Christmas best the Sunday before Christmas, so I made everyone pause, right after getting home from church, for a family picture.  You would think I was making them run the gauntlet by lengthening the time they had to spend in their suits, but after getting…

When you wake up to snow on the ground and children's laughter and presents and orange rolls and stockings filled and warmth and love, can it be a bad Christmas?  I don't think so!   Memorable gifts:Jacob – luggage, a "fat head" of a Dallas Cowboys star for his new very-own bedroom, books, an Ipod…

We spent the morning cleaning and wrapping.  Then watched THIS video with the kids…beautiful, it made Jacob cry. By this time, the snow had started to fall and it was so beautiful.  Could it really be a white Christmas?  I've NEVER had one – in my whole life.  In fact, it's been 83 years since…

Part of our Christmas gift from Dad and Christy was tickets to the Inaugural Basketball Game at Cowboys Stadium between the Texas Longhorns and the University of North Carolina.  This was our first trip to the new Stadium and WOW, is it cool.  Such a fun game – we all loved it!!    

My Dad and Christy came up for the weekend of 12/19 to celebrate Christmas with everyone.  We brought in La Hacienda fajitas and had a fun time opening gifts.  The most memorable (not in order of importance, I might add): 1.  The Snuggies for the two young boys and the two big boys.  My boys…

I was so proud of the boys this semester for their hard work on the piano.  And it paid off because they aced the recital!  And bonus – they had their Nana there, their Papa C and Mimi there from Austin, and Aunt Olivia from across town!  We had quite a family showing and it…

I did some serious blogging tonight and now have 5 posts ready to publish tomorrow – watch out!!

I always love joining the boys' for their class holiday parties at school.  They were simple and fun this year, and I love simple + fun! Caleb's 1st grade class had a "Polar Express" theme – they all wore pjs, made a craft, got hot chocolate and powdered donuts, and exchanged bells with homemade tags. …

One day a couple of weeks ago I was folding the "reds" out of the dryer and found a woman's red vest – size Medium.  HUH?  It wasn't mine and I'm the only female who lives here (if you haven't noticed).  And we hadn't recently had house guests.  We called my mom – not hers. …

This one is hard for me to even put words to – I am still giddy, so bear with me… Earlier this summer Dana called me with a "guess what – but don't get your hopes up" kind of call.  Our favorite, Hilary Weeks, was acquainted with a young family whose 6-year old daughter had…