more christmas 2012

we had a great holiday 

truly so blessed for it all

 home for some of it

 long long travels to be with family for some it - and we're not done yet

 it's hard and messy - celebrating  with family 500+ miles away

 i try because i love them
and miss them - well, some of them :)

we spent an afternoon with my dad
he's not been feeling the best so we didn't get to stay long
he was excited to have all three of his kids there

 we live 2 states away from each other.
it's hard to be so far away

 

mom @ aunt jan's

aunt alice baked dozens of cookies

linda made white chicken chili on saturday night for dinner with fritos & cheese

YUMMY

we drank some wine and helped wrap presents

tammy said "it wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't have to wrap our own presents." ;)

 hanging with cousins
they hadn't played together in several years 

 they became fast friends

 and were LOUD playing together for 7 hours straight

cooper and corbin had FUN getting to know mason 7, morgan 4, and camilla 3.
it's fun to have so many cousins close in age to play with.

aunt alice made these adorable sweater and hat sets.

my sister and my cousin, Jared (13) it was his birthday 12-29-12

the boys got to see lots of snow in Oklahoma
it was COLD

we have one final family celebration the first weekend in january with adam's family

 we've really stretched ourselves this holiday season

 next year we are GOING SKIING!!! :)

it was a holly jolly season

we've had a great few days celebrating the Christmas season

bleeker came to town from atlanta

best man in our wedding

long time friend from dallas

adam's bestie :-)

we got to meet his girlfriend, Dacia. 

the boys were smitten!

she is a sweetheart!

on saturday 

we showed them a local winery and did some wine tasting...

we had to hit Salt Lick for some famous Austin BBQ

they also have a vineyard

this bottle of tempranillo won my vote for the best wine of the day

tasted great with some finger lickin' BBQ, too! 

after our wine tasting and yummy lunch we went home for a short, but refreshing nap. That evening we had dinner reservations at Bob's in downtown Austin

adam and i split surf n turf, lobster bisque, lettuce wedge with blue cheese. YUM! seriously a day of GOOD EATS!!! Bob's never disappoints. their glazed carrots are so sweet. oh and the creamed spinach was heavenly. the boy's had jumbo fried shrimp and a loaf of bread each :) perfectly planned after dinner we walked a few blocks over and caught the shuttle to the famous Zilker Park Trail of Lights.

the walking was the perfect end to our day of great eating.

Christmas goody giving

the boy's christmas break from school began today

i'm lucky i get to stay home with them

this little dude was a big helper in the kitchen

we baked and packaged up goodies for our neighbor friends

10 of them! 

warm banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, and sausage balls galore. 

it was fun to bake together

from our dirty -in-need-of-a-paint-job front door to yours

my elves offered immediate front door delivery! :)

i didn't get to take any pictures after we started baking

prepped, baked, cooled, packaged, labeled. GONE!

**********************

we passed a field a few blocks down with new hay bales yesterday

we went back today for a photo op

i helped them climb up

then they smiled big as they slid down the side

good times

cold, WINDY, december afternoon

instagram catch up

i still love my instagram app 

the boys were so handsome at church on sunday

 in their ties

anxiously awaiting their turn

 to give their offering

 to the passing plate

i love this ornament 

and picture 

 the boy's first Christmas 

such little miracles

adam's been really creative with elijah the elf this year

 it's sweet cause honestly

 he is so ba hum bug most days

receiving christmas cards from friends/clients 
with pictures i took 

= the ultimate compliment

 thanks embry's

your family is gorgeous and fun!

merry and bright

D family {austin, dripping springs, driftwood family photographer}

i love them! truly sweet and kind folks.

we are in sunday school together. love them!

so photogenic too!

we had the best luck with the location we chose.

thanks kellye for suggesting driftwood!

probably my most favorite session to date 

fun family

 perfect setting

 lucky props

 memories captured forever

*********** love it!************

around here

hello... i'm still here

busy changing our daily routine just a bit

i'm back to work for the first time in 3 years

it's strange and fun and exhilarating to work again

but the morning commute is stupid

the halls are decked with some of our favorite christmas decorations. 

the tree is up

it has lights 

and it's as beautiful as ever
we love our little pre-lit artificial tree
it's good enough this year

i did get a fresh wreath for the front door
bummed all the good smelling greenery is OUTSIDE and not in
but oh well

elijah the elf made his annual appearance

we woke up with him on the kleenex box the 2nd of december

silly elf was covered up taking a nap with his eyes WIDE OPEN. 

can you believe it?

the boy's play along pretty well :)

i love that little mouse

my grandma mandy crocheted these for us when we were little

rare gem from years and years ago

we are foregoing the lights outside this year

adam's not in the mood... i don't blame him

it's a lot of work 

and brrrr it's REALLY cold out there 

cooper found elijah all wrapped up in our felt garland

that silly elf

love this little guy

he's been around for a long time too

the boys are growing and outgrowing shoes and clothes like crazy 

that's a good thing :)

just wish they would slow down the growing a bit

PTA is keeping me super busy. 

our school collected $700 worth of these little squares

i love volunteering at the boy's school

 it's the best!

  wish i could make all the other drama and nonsense go away

that comes with being on the board

dislike all the power struggling

and mud slinging

it's been a learning experience

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Field Trip {1st grade}

The boy's 1st grade class had their first field trip of the year this week.

We went on a guided tour of the state Capitol building.

our guide was ms Georgia. 
She knew her Texas history! 
And taught us a lot about the Senate, House of Representatives
 and told us about famous people who our city and counties are named after.
 It was interesting and amazing!

this is the Senate chambers. 
 They meet here to make new laws every odd year.
the seats on the 2nd level are open to the public
to come listen in while they are in session

ms. georgia pointed out the famous pioneers in texas in this giant painting

and we memorized the location of the san jacinto monument... east of houston :)

this is the house of representatives

so beautiful this time of year

our little class of 1st graders

17 sweet boys and girls

6 girls and 11 boys

oh my!

we are excited to go back in the 4th grade to learn in-depth

 the workings of the senate and house of representatives