(20/20) My animal lovin' girl....

(19/20) Happy Anniversary Grandma and Papa

Happy 50th anniversary to Bob and Barb!! What an amazing milestone. We celebrated together with Uncle S, Aunt B and the cousins at Benihana's...then enjoyed wedding cake and a beautiful bouquet...something Barb didn't get when she eloped 50 years ago. It was a special night to celebrate a very special couple....love you both and remember.... I will be 80 when Doug and I celebrate this milestone...Yipes!!

(18/20) Snow Day....

Although we didn't actually get any snow!! We did, however, get lots of sleet which froze to become solid sheets of ice on the road so...no school for 2 days. The kids enjoyed the ice though, and chipped, hammered and scraped it into bowls for a snowball fight. They used a cardboard box as a sled to slide down the road this morning but, in typical Texas fashion, the ice is melted and this afternoon the weather is...beautiful.

(17/20) Riding P.J.

For her last lesson, Avery rode PJ (aka Pajama Party). During the lesson, she gave Avery a rough time....stopping before jumps and going repeatedly to the gate. Avery is a timid rider and has always loved to ride Buddy....he's wonderful but also a robo-horse. I was so proud of her for not only riding PJ, but for hanging on, working hard and making PJ listen to her. It wasn't easy, but my little girl finally got mad, gave PJ a good swat and really made her listen. Being a cowgirl isn't easy...but Avery is one step closer!!

(16/20) Party On Girls!!!

Avery wanted a cookie cake...so we had 3!! We enjoyed one while partying with Grandma and Papa on her actual birthday, then had 2 more for her party at the H Ranch.

A new horse and pony book.....

and a new pink grooming kit!!!

On Sunday we hit the ranch..with a van full of cowgirls. We had her party at Miss Merry's ranch and the weather was beautiful (in January...it's always a 50-50 shot)

Avery rode her favorite horse...M0ntana!! The other girls took turns riding the other horses available at Miss Merry's.

For their art project, they decorated cowgirl hats!! They turned out sooo cute.

They played in the treehouse.....

and did a pinata (which is my favorite to watch)

Weston took his turn...

Go Bubba Go.............

And finally....presents to open...the perfect end to a perfect day.

We had so much fun...and Miss Merry's is perfect for Avery. She was surrounded by her family, a group of giggling girlies and her favorite horse of all time...Montana. Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!! I love you!

(15/20) Avery's Birthday Breakfast

Happy Birthday sweet Avery Grace!!

(14/20) What the boys do at Christmas....

(13/20) Christmas at the Via Ranch

Every year, we celebrate Christmas at the ranch with all the Vias.....Uncle S and Aunt B...cousins M and B....and Grandma and Papa Via. The boys worked together to pass out the presents then we all started opening gifts.

Uncle S opening his gifts....we drew his name this year in the gift exchange...notice the Sham-Wows in his chair :)

Grandma Via in front of her fireplace filled with Santas

The boys were totally excited to see they had the biggest gifts...inside....a video game chair.

After presents and food...we all head outside to work off some of the delicious meal Grandma cooked.

The girls brush and pet the horses...Avery's favorite place to be!!

The boys shoot hoops in the basket we all got Papa for Christmas several years ago.

Merry Christmas from the Via Family