New Year's Eve

I always love having my family over for New Years!  It has become one of  my favorite holiday traditions.  New Year's is such a laid back, wonderful holiday!  I always make the same, yummy black eyed pea meal, and we enjoy watching football and hanging out.  

Since we left for New Orleans on New Year's Day, we had everyone over the night before.  Mary Beth and I cooked all day, and we even squeezed in some time rocking out to ABBA (Mary Beth singing into the red spoon.).  What can I say?  That child is more like me every day!  She loves to cook and wear an apron.  When she needed to leave the kitchen, she begged me not to do any more cooking until she got back!

I didn't take pictures of the family as we were busy playing cards, but managed to get a few of my funny nephew, James.  While the adults were busy, he decided to help himself to, well, the rest of the chocolate cake!

Matthew's pictures from Conroe

As mentioned before, Matthew took lots of pictures with his new camera.  It is interesting to see pictures from his perspective!

The Holidays Part 2

The day after Christmas, we headed down to Conroe to be with Bryon's family.  Unfortunately, my camera was left on my chair, along with several presents that were supposed to go with us!  Matthew did bring his new camera, and as soon as I figure out how to download his pictures, I will post them.

While we were away, my 3 1/2 week old nephew came down with RSV, and was hospitalized for several days.  We got home from Conroe, and got to spend time with my other nephew, James, while his brother and mom were hanging out in the hospital.  We were blessed with incredible weather last week, and spent most of the days at home outside.  Matthew became and old pro at his rip stick, and we didn't see him much after he got the hang of it!  I will say that the rip stick is extremely difficult to get on.  It is funny to see how many things my 9 year old can do that I have never been able to do!

The Holidays Part 1

Here are some pictures from Christmas.  We had a great time with family, and the kids were so cute!  We have such fun and special traditions in our family, and it is always nice to have lots of time together!

I love this song!

The past week

Wow!  What a week!  There has been lots going on, and my camera has been working overtime.  Here are a few images from the last 1 1/2 weeks:

Thomas's birthday party.  He has a few friends that are very dear to us.  I have known them all since before they were born!  We asked a few of them to celebrate Thomas's birthday at the Baylor basketball game.  We had a blast, and I am so thankful for Thomas's sweet friends!

Lauren's shower was Dec. 11th.  It was lots of fun, and I really enjoyed seeing how much Mary Beth loved it.  She is getting to be such a big girl, and wants to be with the girls all the time.  She was in her element at the shower, and was very helpful with passing out the gifts!

Matthew's class Christmas party:

Mary Beth's class Christmas party:

Thomas's class Christmas party:

Mary Beth's ballet class.  Once a year, the parents get to watch the class.
"Sophisticated Baby"
Matthew's Christmas program performed at school the following morning.

Baking night!

Christmas recital: