Jack the interior decorator

We finally got our tree up. I got a fake tree (which just feels wrong :) because I can't deal with the mess in the apartment. But I have to say... a pre-lit fake tree is the way to go. I seriously had it all set up in like 3 minutes, then the kids hung all the ornaments they have been collecting from school, scouts, gifts, etc and it is seriously cute! Jack finally got me to get going with the tree when he said on Thursday after school, "I wish we had a tree so I could hang my ornaments." He said it so forlornly like we were never going to have a tree! It broke my heart.

So we went and picked up the tree the next morning. And Jack decorated the whole thing. AJ hung about 2 ornaments and was done, but Jack hung all the rest then spent about an hour re-adjusting them and getting it all just so. He is really particular about some things. Then he gets it all done just right and says (with a flourish), "Now it's time for the star on top!" Uh... oops. I didn't have a star :) He was disgusted with me... I forgot the grand finale.

Capitol Sing-Along

One of my favorite Austin traditions is the sing along at the capitol building. I love it because it is a very simple, no frills, old-fashioned affair. Several hundred people gather together, they hand out song books, and everyone just sings carols for an hour or so. It is the essence of Christmas. People just being together and singing songs from their childhood and enjoying the season. I really love it. This year it was VERY cold, in fact I had to go buy hats and gloves that morning, but it was fun to get bundled up (we don't have to do that around here very often) it made it even more festive. The kids ran around like wild animals and Brett kept busy chasing them all over the grounds and I sang and sang... a really great evening.

Thanksgiving

The Hayes invited us to Beaumont for another Thanksgiving extravaganza. We couldn't stay too long, Brett has been slammed at school the last few weeks, but the kids crammed a whole lot of playing into that 30ish hours. All I ever saw of Jack was a blur running past windows. They had a blast with their adopted cousins, the grown-ups stayed up way too late playing games, and everyone ate some good turkey and fixin's.

Thanks Hayes for another special Thanksgiving!

Who needs CGI? This is for real...

We found this centipede several weeks ago, and I thought I'd post it. When we first saw it, I thought it was fake, but it was oh so real. They don't mess around with bugs here. One of the most disgusting things I have ever seen is a Cicada Wasp. A cicada is a huge insect, about the size of a man's thumb, so you can imagine the horror of a wasp who routinely fights, stings, paralyzes and then flies off to it's nest, carrying the cicada to feed to it's babies. It is truly something to behold. I'm not easily creeped out by much in the animal kingdom, but I have got the heebies on many occasions here in TX.

San Antonio Zoo

My gorgeous angel

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL...

Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch Time!!!

What is better than a day at the pumpkin patch??? Nothing, I dare say. We had an unusually cool day, just perfect for hunting around the corn maze for all 10 of the lakes on the "Texas Map Maze." Those sodas you see the kids drinking were hard won... it took us about an hour an a half to find all those lakes! But I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day out in the country with my favorite people in the whole wide world.

Every Mama needs a boy

When I grow up I want to... "live at my mom's"

Pumpkin Carving

Carving pumpkins in an apartment was a little bit of an adjustment. Not quite the free for all we are used to, but despite the controlled conditions, they turned out very cute. I just LOVE Halloween SO MUCH!!!

End of Summer Photo Shoot

Spicewood Demolition Derby

In a word: AWESOME!

They start them off young here in Texas

Jack had his first official football practice and game this weekend. It is basically a foregone conclusion that he will play if we stay here in Texas. Football is not really a choice here :) Brett's philosophy is that if he is going to play he might as well be good! So, even though he is only 4, he is officially "a football player." And I must say, it was a proud moment when he ran his first touchdown.

After each game one player gets an MVP medal, and of course my boy got the first one. He got it for "being a good listener and not being afraid to ask questions." He was stoked... I think this is just the first taste of many seasons to come.

Hook 'Em

Reverently... quietly...

This video is a nice slice of life. I think it is so funny because the kids are being totally loud and obnoxious and Brett and I are oblivious just 2 feet away. Apparently our "annoyance threshold" has climbed to an all-time high. Just a warning... you might want to turn down the volume :)



Whatever happened to "children should be seen, not heard???"