12.31.2008

2008 Sum Up

It always does me good and makes me grateful to review a great year like 2008. Come with me on my trip down memory lane? 
In January, Miles got his first haircut. Audrey and Parker learned to roller skate.


February brought handsome valentines, lots of outside play, and a creepy visitor at our window.


In March, we went to Utah to play in the snow and Parker started t-ball.


April was great. Parker turned five, Elliott & Ginger brought their family to visit, and we sold our house.


In May, we found a house in our new town, and Neal graduated for the last time. It was already summer in Houston.


June was eventful; we moved to the other end of our large state, and admitted our obsession with Miles. It's ongoing.


In July, we went to Louisiana, Kansas and Utah to be with our incredible families. I wish every month was like July.



August found us at a Wiggles concert, the kids starting school, my parents visiting, and Miles turning two.


In September, we took a mini vacay, and evacuees came to visit.


In October, we flew to California and Audrey lost more teeth.



In November, we celebrated ten years of marriage, became friends with Coldplay and had a million relatives over for Thanksgiving dinner.

December was fun, too. Stephanie came to visit, we visited Oklahoma, and my blog and I both had birthdays.

What a great year, we're so blessed to live the lives we do.
Here's to an eventful and blogworthy 2009!

12.30.2008

In Oklahoma,

we had lots of fun with Neal's side of the family.

Audrey took any chance she could to read to somebody. Gail obliged and spent a while learning about extreme animals.

Miles had some moments with his favorite doggie, Momo.

Parker challenged just about everyone to a Wii battle. Here, he and Jeff are boxing.

He has awesome bowling form.

Claire and Audrey were inseparable.

Julie and I attempted to bake a cake. Something went very wrong, but it tasted delicious.

I spent lots of time with my book.

And Miles looked for soft places to land. Thanks, Meredith!

I hope your Christmas was as peaceful and happy as ours! Happy New Year!

Christmas at our house.

We had a really nice, relaxing holiday here at home. On Christmas Eve, Neal's brother came over, and we had a quiet dinner.

This is what my favorite pie looked like after it fell out of the fridge, face first that night.

We still ate it.

The kids went off to bed at a decent hour, and the next morning, lots of goodies were found under the tree.

Miles got this cool plasma car.

Parker got his new DS, after he lost his on the plane to California in August. Note the Wii from Santa in the background . . .

Audrey got a bike and a bunch of animal things, her favorite.

And Wiggles paraphernalia abounded for Miles.


Later on, we got dressed and had dinner. At least Neal and I did!

12.23.2008

Merry Christmas!

our card . . .
We wish we could be with all of our family this week; we miss you!

12.21.2008

Grateful Sunday

proof to my mom that baby stella really does love her unca neal a whole lot

This week, I'm grateful for:
  • our doctor who told us that Audrey didn't have strep, even though she was struck down with a virus earlier this week. Had it been strep, she would have missed her class party.
  • the chance I had to go to my kids' class parties this week. Parker's was fun and Miles had a blast pretending to be a kindergartner, and I got to see Audrey's face when her class virtually cheered when they saw her return to school after almost three days out sick. I could tell she was so happy when they got so excited to see her. It's hard to be the new kid, but I think she's happy at her school now.
  • my win at Scrabble last night. {I promised our friends that I'd mention it on my blog}. I hardly ever win that game, even though I really love it. But I did win, with words like whiz and pox. Ah yeah for high-scoring letters!
  • Miles, our ray of sunshine. On stressful Sundays like today, I just love to steal a hug from my little crazy dude.
  • the prospect of a very quiet and relaxing Christmas week. I'm really looking forward to celebrating with our little family here at home.

12.18.2008

the good stuff


My Thanksgiving crescent rolls, a joint effort between me and Julianne. Recipe thanks to Martha, Neal's sister.

I was making my holiday grocery list and thought I'd share some of our recipes with you, in case you feel like spicing it up this year and trying something new! We keep it pretty traditional, and most of our food traditions come from my husband's upbringing. Gotta please my man. This is our menu, now off to the store!

Week of Christmas:
Gingerbread Men (at least once). I use this recipe, but I'm going to try Stephanie's new one, too. Such a hardship, making gingerbread men twice. Woe is me.

Christmas Eve:
Ham and Poppy Seed Sandwiches {yummy little two-bite deliciouses}
Cranberry juice in fancy glasses with sugar on the rims {Audrey's favorite part}

Christmas Morning:
Traditional American Breakfast (scrambled eggs, biscuits, bacon, etc.)
Gingerbread with Whipped Cream or Lemon Sauce {need to locate my mom's recipe}
Expensive Orange Juice
Expensive Hot Chocolate {why not}

Christmas Dinner:
Roasted Turkey Breast {this is the recipe I used for our Thanksgiving bird. It was tasty.}
This year, I'm going to try my friend Jenny's Peppermint cake. {Neal & Parker, the mint-haters, can have leftover pie from Christmas Eve.}

What's on your menu?

12.17.2008

choochoo

We took a little trip on the North Pole Express the other night, at our local vintage railroad. It was lots of fun: pajamas, holiday music, and good friends. But no hot chocolate-serving dancing waiters. We were hoping . . .

the ticket taker

Audrey and her friend, Julia, sharing a scarf

me and my bo

Santa came, too! Miles tugged his beard. :)

12.16.2008

concert manners

The boys took control of the camera during Audrey's piano recital on Sunday.
Bored much, guys?