Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Snow in Texas... I love it! I was trying to nap (because I wasn't feeling well), when Gabe pokes his head in the room and informs me that it is snowing outside. Did I really want to get out of my nice, warm, snugly bed to see the snow? Yes, I guess I should. How often does this happen? It came down pretty good for about an hour. It didn't really stick to anything, but it was still cool to see. Sophie got to experience it for the first time. Zach, on the other hand, was still alseep (never wake a 3 year old before he gets his full rest). When he did rise from his slumber I told him to come look at the snow. He replied, "It's raining."

Will we have a white Christmas? :)

Mr. Santa

The kids and I ventured off to the mall on Monday to meet up with Jayne and Dane to see Santa. All morning long, I was talking to Zach about seeing the big guy in the red suit. I was telling him that he had to tell Santa what to bring him for Christmas, that he had to be a good big brother and set an example for Sophie, and that we just needed one picture. He actually seemed okay with all of this. He agreed to take one picture, but he didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, he wanted to stand. I felt very optimistic.
Well, we get there and luckily there wasn't a very long line. Side note: Thank you Jayne for taking us early. If not, I would have been there on the weekend with everyone else, waiting till the last minute. Okay, so we are third in line and I am still coaxing Zach. This is when he starts to change his mind. GREAT!! He wouldn't budge from the stroller. I tried everything...I will take you to see the animals in the pet store, I will buy you a cookie, I will buy you candy, please Sophie doesn't want to be by herself in the picture, Santa needs to know what you want for Christmas. Nothing worked. And I didn't want to hold the line up for the other mothers. So Sophie was by herself. Now I had to worry about her being scared and crying in the picture. But to my amazement, she was a very good girl. She didn't smile, but at least she wasn't crying. Good job, Sophie! That's my girl! I'm sure there will come a time someday when Sophie will say, "Hey Zach, remember when I had to take a picture with Santa all alone because you were scared?" :)

My Lil' Cupcake

My Baby Girl turned 10 months old on Saturday!!!!! Aren't these the cutest pj's ever? :)

December Already?

Gosh, where has this year gone? Well, I have changed my background, house is pretty much decorated, some shopping has been done... bring on the holidays! It is getting to be so much more fun to play Santa now. Zach is 3 and he is starting to understand Christmas (kind of). The ol' "you better be good, Santa is watching" doesn't always work, but he knows who Santa is and that he brings presents. I'm anxious to see how the photo with Santa goes this year. Last year, not so good. I think I might have two crying babies on Santa's lap this year.
The houses across the street from us put lights up yesterday. Zach says, "Mom, look at the Christmas lights. They are beautiful!" Seriously, what 3-year old says that? Too funny. I think he will enjoy looking at lights this year.

Black Friday Mayheim

I usually don't participate in the Black Friday Mayheim 1. because I usually am at work (lovely retail) and 2. I'm not that crazy! Well, this year was a different story...only because I found (with the help of my sister) a great deal on something I wanted to buy my handsome husband. I can't give it away or he will know! :) This store (which will remain nameless) opened at 6am and the flyer said that they had minimum 6 of what I wanted to buy. OH MY GOSH... that meant I had to rise with the chickens (or maybe before) and stand in line. Yes, I was crazy. I got up before 4am and was there by 4:30. The line was not too bad, I was maybe 11th in line. But I had to cross my fingers and hope that everyone else there wasn't wanting the same thing! The time came for the employees to pass out the vouchers and wouldn't you know... they ran out of MY voucher! OH... I could have still been asleep!!!!!! I was really disappointed. If only I had camped out, like this one couple did. Yes, you read right. Someone actually camped out in front of the store...tent and all! I did take a picture, but it didn't turn out well since it was still dark (hence why I want a new camera for Xmas). Since our getting up early seemed like a waste, we packed up and headed to Wal-mart. Talk about CRAZY!!! I have never seen so many big screen tv's in shopping carts. That's what the picture is of. As soon as I walked in and saw the lines of people with tv's, I couldn't resist. My sister said, "Everyone should experience this at least once." I think she thought differently after we stood in line for 30 minutes. Good times, good times.

Pickles!

Sophie got a taste of a pickle...and I think she liked it! But it is too cute and funny to watch her eating it.

Gobble Gobble

Just a few pics of getting lunch ready! YUM!

Happy Thanksgiving!

As the years have gone on, I have stopped and thought of what I should be thankful for at this time of year. As a child, I just thought of Thanksgiving as a time to spend with family and eat a lot of food. But now as an adult, I realize it is obviously more than that. I have a wonderful family...close and distant. I thank God every day for my wonderful husband who loves me with his whole heart and for my two beautiful children that he has graced me with. I have wonderful and loving parents and two awesome sisters that I love dearly- not to mention their families that I have close relationships with too. And then I have a whole other family that I gained five years ago when I married Gabe. I have always felt part of their family from day one. I am thankful for the many friends that I have made through the years- from high school, college, work, etc. I am thankful for my health. I am thankful that I get to stay at home with my children. I am thankful for life's experiences. I am thankful for love. I am thankful for our awesome GOD... I am thankful for LIFE!
Happy Thanksgiving! xoxo

Is There A Draft?

Mental note: if Sophie isn't wearing any pants and she finds the tabs to her diaper, IT WILL COME OFF! That's what happened today. She was playing around in the living room and the next thing I know, Zach is running up to me in the kitchen saying, "Mom, Sophie took her diaper off!" I just had to capture the moment.

This is her model pose! My pretty girl!

Sophie & Tia Kelly

I See You

After the party was over with, Zach decided to help himself to some cake. Sneaky little thing! :)

A Surprise for Papo!

We made a surprise visit to see Papo in Corpus on Saturday for his birthday! His actual birthday is on Sunday, the 30th but the party was this past weekend. He had no idea that we were coming. We snuck around the back gate to the backyard to surprise him. He was definitely happy to see us! While there, Zach got to play with his cousin Lauren (she is 1 1/2). They were too cute! Zach was acting very 'big brother.' He was showing her how to play, telling her what to not touch, etc. And they were all over each other, hugging and kissing. Zach demonstrating the train. Lauren says, "Does he really have to show me?"

AWWWWW!
Zach & Lauren
Papo opening his gifts!

O Christmas Tree

We decided to put our tree up! Even though it is not quite Thanksgiving, we thought we would get a head start on the holidays! I'll have to work on the rest of the house later. I have two sets of little hands that like to get into everything!

Zach The Photographer

Zachary loves to get a hold of my camera and take as many pictures as he can before I snatch it away. He's actually pretty good... take a look.

A Long Overdue Visit

Papo & Grandma Bebe came to visit for the weekend. All Zach wanted to do was go outside with Papo! They would come in and not even two minutes later... "I want to go outside." It was pretty funny. Papo would say, "Let's rest and get some water." Then Zach would say, "We get some water and then go outside." He is quite a smart little boy! Thank you Papo & Grandma Bebe for coming to visit us- we missed you. And thank you for all of the new clothes too! :)
Swinging away!
Visiting Daddy at work.
Little Stinker would not smile!
Sophie & Papo

Cypress Top Dedication

Monday was the Grand Opening of Cypress Top Historic Park, which consists of the house I grew up in, my Dad's store, gas station, dance hall and the barber shop. There was a really nice ceremony in which my Dad spoke along with the Commissioner Steve Radack. My parents were presented an award from the director of the Harris County Historical Society and they also got to cut the ribbon. It was all very nice (and emotional). For those that did not know, my Mom and Dad donated the land, buildings and a lot of antiques to the county. The county now has turned it all into a really cool museum (for lack of a better word).
It was so neat to see everything that they had done. I think my sisters and I each saw something that we wished we had taken with us. But that's okay, we still have our memories. Memories of playing in the store, working my first job there, all of the 'porch parties' we had, not to mention my birthday parties, all of the family friends we made, Aunt Lillian sitting and doing her crosswords, competing with Dad at Wheel of Fortune, doing my homework on the counter, and I could go on and on.... let's just say it was an emotional day. :)
I have put up a slide show of the pictures that we took, but we could only take so many. We would have been there all day! It felt really good to look around and see so much history... my family's history. Thank you Mom and Dad for what you have done. It really means a lot to know that it will all be preserved.

Walking?

She had a little bit of help, but I consider it a good start to walking. Brother was asleep, so we had some fun today... just us girls. She lost interest once she hit the wall, so the video is short but sweet. Enjoy!

Get Your Motors Runnin'

Going for a ride on the bike!
Hasta la vista, Baby!
Watch out mom, I might run you over.

Paging Dr. Sophie

Daddy is always messin' around. This was the doctor hat that Zach was supposed to wear on Halloween. It looks like Sophie didn't like it either! :)

9 Months

Sophie is now 9 months old! Where has time gone? It is unbelievable how much babies grow their first year. She has gone from 6lbs. 11oz. to 17lbs. And from 21in. to 27 3/4in. It has even crossed my mind to start planning her first birthday, and then on second thought, I should wait till the holidays are over. :) That's what I get for not working... always thinking what comes next. :) Happy Birthday Baby Girl, you are part of momma's pride and joy! I love you.