Christmas 2009

We are blessed with so much. John and I gave each other our trip to Canada for our Christmas gift to one another....and John took me to the theatre to see "The Sound of Music"
Still....there were quite a few gifts under the tree for the munchkins.
We started off with coffee for us and hot chocolate for the boys....

Alex still loves pottery....he's looking forward to getting out of school and beginning to do some of his own pottery...a skill he picked up in high school and he's quite good even if I do say so myself....this platter however was done by another potter and is just a gift

Jacob got a new latch for the gate!!! It's to replace the latch he broke...and we're just waiting for him to install it.

Porter found a nice place to warm up in the sun. It is unusually cold here this Christmas.

The boys got electric blankets.....Jacob was expecting cushy softness and was surprised to find wires in his softness, lol. Still, he soon appreciated how nicely all those wires could warm up a bed, lol

We had a lovely quiet day. The boys were spoiled, I cooked an amazing dinner and we enjoyed being with one another and thanking God for all his blessings and for the gift of Jesus.

Christmas finery

We had a couple of "events" to attend over Christmas...so this is us all decked out. I just love getting all dressed up now that I'm thinner, lol! 3 years ago I would have shot John if he tried to take my picture....ah vanity!

Boys are home

Boys are both home for Christmas so we put them to work....Porter enjoyed the sunny day as well!

The second part of our time with family was with John's family. Larry and Sue hosted a big family get together at their place. It is always so great being surrounded by the people you love and who you know love you.....miss them every day!

And we also caught up with friends who are more like family. Time is always too short but we treasure every second of our time with Y'all, lol.

The Wedding

November found us with family, celebrating the marriage of my brother's son, Matt to the love of his life, Rose-Anne. What a wonderful day! We fully expected to freeze....it was November after all....but the day was glorious and sunny.

Matt and Leslie...brother and sister but also best friends....

Leslie and her girls.....beautiful!

Anytime you pointed a camera in Trista's direction she automatically would say 'Cheeseeeeee!"

Proud grandpa Doug with his girls!

And the rest of the family was there too.....Roseann and Steve

Mom and Dad.....or grandma and grandpa...or great-grandma and great-grandpa..

Lindsay and Adam

Me and Ann-Marie and Aunt Shirley and Aunt Verna

We're just missing Doug to make it a family picture!!

Aunt Sylvia and Ron and Mom and Dad

and Daniel and Melissa

Homecoming 2009

My last homecoming!!! And although it's Jacob's senior year it's his first homecoming!! So we had to buy him a suit, make a senior homecoming mum for his girlfriend, and ake a ton of pictures!!!!

A homecoming mum is a huge deal here in TX.....a senior's mum is made up of 3 large artifical white mum flowers, with a stuffed animal glued in the middle and a ton of white and silver and gold ribbons and chains and bells with toys and candy attached to the ribbons. It's suppose to be worn around the girls neck and flow down almost to the ground....of course most mums are too heavy to wear and the girls carry them around all day as a badge of honor proclaiming to the world "I have a date for homecoming!!!" They are costly and a lot of effort but it's the last time I have to work on one. Basically, for a month, I keep my eyes open for little treats and toys and candy that can be attached to the mum.....Jacob was picky. He got a few items as well but I bought and returned a lot of stuff, ha! The mum turned out great and his girlfriend as very happy.

The kids went to the football game on Friday night and then had the homecoming dance on Saturday.....they looked smashing!