Christmas Day 2010

Here are just a few photos of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Our Christmas tree is really tiny and skinny. This year we have decided to retire it and next year we will buy a tall, full tree that is pre-lit! I cant wait! Tara wrapped a lot of the gifts under the tree herself this year. She is a great helper.

We went to church Christmas Eve with my parents and then had dinner at their house. The kids opened their gifts from the grandparents that night but had to wait patiently till the next morning to open all others.

winter fun

About 2 years ago we purchases a fire pit for the new pack patio that we had enlarged. However, it sat unused for all of those 2 years until last week. We finally bought some wood and built a warm fire. Here are the kids trying to figure out the best way to get it lit!

I have had this tiny plant for years and years. I believe that I took a clip of it from my mother about 15 years ago and planted it in my own pot. It has not grown much and I have even gone months without watering it or paying any attention to it. It is supposed to bloom at Christmas and it never has until this year. Hopefully this is a sign of a good year to come!

Rare Moments!

Not very often I get a picture of these two beeing sweet to eachother!

pet rocks at Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving morning we spent some time at Wendy's house before heading out to Kansas. The kids were busy the whole time making pet rocks. (remember these from childhood??) Aunt Wendy was even kind enough to quickly sew up a few leotards for them! The kids built them a house that was fully furnished and even had an elevator! It was precious. Of course, creative little Lexi was the one that came up with this fun idea!

A day at home with nothing to do.....

Tara stayed home from school sick the other day. As usuall, after a dose of medicine and a little extra sleep she was way too full of energy. She discovered that jumping on the trampoline can give her some really awesome static electricity in her hair!

TCU vs UT

I love this photo of Levi running with the ball!

Halloween 2010

Halloween snuck up on us this year and I was not very prepared. Tara picked out her own costume and was what she referred to as a "deadly cheerleader". Levi wanted to be a football player but at the last minute did not want to wear helmet, pads, shoes etc. Poor Jake the dog was better dressed than the kids! We had a lot of fun but next year I promise to be more prepared!

We trick or treated with some good friends and their kids were dressed soo cute. Their sweet daughter was a bumble bee and - as usuall - was terrific with all of the younger kids. She is such an awesome girl. I love that Tara looks up to her.

Their son stole the show! He was fantastic. He dressed up like an old man and it was very, very realistic. His mask was amazing but more than that, he acted the part so well. He had a fake cigar and cane and everything. It was hilarious!

Homecoming 2010

It is so hard for me to believe that Hayden is old enough to be going to his first Homecoming dance. It seems like just yesterday he was a tiny toddler running around with his blue fuzzy grover doll in hand!

These photos are of he and his sweet date, Anne Claire.

Hard to belive that he is really that much taller than me!

The frogs

Love, love, love this picture of Levi's football team preparing for another game

tara's dream job

I found this sweet picture and letter in my daughter's backpack today. She has always asked to take acting classes but I never put much thought into it. I guess she really wants to get the message across to me!

just a few ideas.......

Has it really been over a year since I looked at this? Wow, time flies!

I have been keeping a pile of photos on my computer of decorating ideas. I am anxious to make some changes at home but not real sure which direction I want to go. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

I love the design above for a boy's room. The idea of using the Pez dispencers for color is adorable to me!

Love the splash of color with all the dark, dark wood. Very relaxing to me!

I love pink for girls but I find myself drawn to this because it is very girly without being too childish.