Visit to the Fort Worth Livestock Show and Children's Museum

Mom and I took the boys to the Ft Worth Children's museum and the livestock show a few weeks ago. They really enjoyed the museum--there are lots of neat hands-on things for them to explore and do.

Blake digging for dinosaur bones


Looking at all the cows--it took some convincing to get them to turn their back to this big cow!!

The cowboys posing with Mimi

One year

Yesterday marked one year since Cody's surgery. As I sat and looked at him last night while we watched Spongebob (what a moment, right?), I couldn't help but think how extremely lucky we are to have such happy healthy children. I see all these blogs with children that are so sick, and parents that have endured so much; it makes me truly appreciate how lucky we are. Those few days were the scariest we've ever had. The thought that that big "ball" in his tummy might be something that would take him from us was the most terrifying experience I've ever had. I thank God for my beautiful babies and every moment we have with them. They grow so fast.

Cody's surgery

Happy New Year!!!

Mom watched the boys for us New Years Eve so we could go out and celebrate! We hadn't gone out for New Years since before the boys were born, so it was a wonderful treat! We went and saw Avatar New Years Eve afternoon (very very good...I recommend it!), then checked into our sweet room at the Omni. We went for dinner with some friends then out to Fort Worth! It was great fun!

Happy 2010 to everyone!!! I hope you all have a wonderful, happy, safe year!! 2009 was a doozie...let's start this decade off right!!!
Love you all!!!!

Christmas Day (part 2)

Once we were done at home, we packed up and headed to Waco for Christmas day with Tadd's family. The boys were pumped to see everyone, and we looked forward to eating lots and lots of Nandy's yummy dinner. Papaw and Nandy had us all take pictures when we walked in and I'm so glad! I always say I want to get pictures of everyone and we never do. Our family pic turned out so good!!

Blake, Collin, and Cody

All the cousins...Taylor, Kylee, and Morgan, then Blake, Collin, and Cody. The girls will be 12 at the end of February, and Kylee is 10. Collin will be 7 in April. They are growing so fast. We debated sticking Trish's belly in the picture, since cousin #7 (a girl!!!) will be arriving in late May!!

The cousins with their DSs.

The only downside of our whole Christmas holiday was when Blake burned his hand Christmas evening. Tadd's mom was making his favorite, macaroni and cheese, and what I think happened is that he put his hand on top of the stove to look in the pot. They have a flat stove, so he just didn't know that it would be hot. :( Poor baby. It happened so fast, no one could stop him. He burned it pretty good. Blisters popped up on all 5 fingers, the heel of his hand, and on the fleshy part below his fingers.
It's all healed well now...he's still wearing a bandage to school because the skin below his fingers is still very fresh, but hopefully by the end of the week he'll be all better. Poor Blakey.

Merry Christmas!!! (part 1)

The boys woke up bright and early to see what Santa had delivered. They were very happy to discover their DSs, some games, Webkinz, and some pjs! There were a few mentions of why their piles were so small, but we explained to them that Santa can only fit a few things for each child in his sleigh! Guess we can't really tell them Santa can only afford so much!!!!
Mommy scored some gorgeous diamond studs from wonderful Daddy. The boys also had a holiday store at their school. They were each given money to spend there, and each one picked out a gift for mommy, daddy, and their brother. So sweet!!! I got a heart ring from Cody and a heart necklace from Blake. Tadd got a cool dad pen from Cody and a #1 Dad ornament from Blake. Then they bought each other a toy airplane! The same toy! Coincidence?

Checking out the loot.

Blake's airplane from Cody.

Cody doing some filming while Daddy opened his gifts.

Santa also left us quite a bit of snow to play in! After we opened gifts, we bundled up and headed out to play! We tried to build a snowman, but it was too powder-y. It was so pretty!! But SO cold!!!

Let it snow let it snow let it snow!!!

It was so so incredible to get snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas day!!! Neither Tadd or I had ever had a white Christmas, and the boys were absolutely ecstatic.

Here are some Christmas Eve pictures. Mom came over and we had a very yummy Christmas Eve dinner as we prepared for Santa's arrival. The boys went out in the ankle deep snow and sprinkled food for the reindeer so they could energize while Santa delivered. Then we laid out our cookies and milk and headed off to bed!!

Kindergarten Christmas party

The last day before break the boys had their Christmas parties. They had crafts to make and snacks and games. And they had very two happy teachers. Each class party was individual, so I had to hop back and forth, but that wasn't a big deal. I am just so happy I'm lucky enough to be able to attend these events!!

Special ornaments

A friend of mine did this on her blog (thanks Leslie!) and I thought it was a super cute idea. A tad bit late for Christmas, but done all the same. I took pictures of some of my favorite ornaments on our tree and am posting them here, along with a little explanation of each one. Enjoy!!

1--This mailbox is from when I was a kid. I don't know why I've always loved it, but it was always one of my favorites. It is one of about 5 ornaments I have on our tree that come from when I was a wee child.

2--Buster in Santa's lap!!! Oh, the days before kids....I think I have 3 years of these. PetSmart had pictures with Santa...of course little Buster had to be there!!

3--Baby's first Christmas. I have two of these, one for each boy. Every year since then (2nd, 3rd, 4th Christmases) I've bought just one. But they each have their own "first".

4--Baylor Santa!!

5--Probably my very favorite and most precious ornament as of yet. I had it made and it has our wedding date and our names on it. Crazy that it's almost been 10 years!!!!

6--New Years 2000! Happy New Millenium!

Mom scored us an invite to have breakfast with the jolly old man this past Saturday at Neiman's. The Santa wasn't as "jolly" as we had hoped, but the boys didn't know the difference and they were pumped to let him know all about the DS they want and the games to go with it. The pic of them in his lap makes me laugh...guess they're a bit too big for that! I dug up pics from past Christmases to see their growth...don't know where all my Santa pics are!!! I swear, they've been to see the big guy every year except 03!!!





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