(20/20) Christmas Pajama's..........

On Christmas Eve....after we come home from visiting Grandma...Santa always leaves new Christmas pajama's and an ornament representing something special about the previous year. Avery got an English riding ornament and red polka-dot pj's....Weston got red pj's also, along with a #1 Longhorn fan ornament. Since it was late....they quickly donned their new pj's...brushed their teeth....laid out cookies for Santa then it was off to bed. Since Grandma and Papa were spending the night, we sent them off to bed too. Grandma and Avery had a sleep-over in Avery's room while Papa slept (all alone) in the master bedroom.

(19/20) Christmas Eve.....

We spent Christmas Eve at my mom's house...along with Aunt Karen and Uncle Paul...and Doug's mom and dad. Despite the snow and somewhat treacherous road conditions...we were warm, well fed and had a wonderful time. This was our first time to combine family Christmas and it worked perfectly....the only things missing were Aunt Pepe, Uncle Chris and Cousin Katie!!

(18/20) My kids......one year ago....

They look so much younger....what happened...and why did it happen so fast.

Slow down...please!!!

(17/20) Resolutions....

New Years again....how quickly the year has flown by. Thankfully it was quieter for our family...no big moves, job changes or loss of ones we so deeply love. So now it's time to think about resolutions. For me...I think I'll have fewer resolutions so I can really concentrate on those...time to think about what's really important and what's holding me back from reaching my goals. I'll post a "full disclosure" soon.

(16/20) Carriage Rides in Savannah.....

(15/20) Christmas Lights....

We took advantage of a beautiful, warm night in December to walk around the square in Frisco...enjoying some shopping (my store is located here :) and a super delicious cupcake from Dimples...the new cupcake bakery across the street from the Marketplace. The lights are beautiful...almost magical. Santa was there and the kids checked him out from afar...neither was willing to sit on his lap this year.

We threw some coins in the fountain...Weston used some of his never ending energy to sprint across a huge field while timing himself (really...does that sound fun to you??) while Avery got some lovin' from her dad.

How in the world this kid can sit like this...on concrete....and still walk is a mystery to me.

(14/20) Basketball...........

Weston's playing basketball this year for a new sport's league....our first venture out of Upward and boy what a difference it makes. While Upward is competitive, it's nothing compared to the other leagues out there. He enjoys it though....that's all that really matters. He is playing on a team with all older boys so he's the low man on the totem pole which can be good....this will force him to work harder and really play "all out"....the result....we'll just have to wait and see.

(13/20) The Results...........

(12/20) Christmas Cookies...Part II

For some reason....there just seems to be much more action when Weston is around....anyone but me notice that??

(11/20) Christmas Cookies.....

We did cookies in shifts this year....first came Avery and her BFF Kamria (Weston was hanging with his buddy Tyler) The girls carefully stirred and cut...iced and decorated....and picked out the best one for Santa himself.

(10/20) Guess what we're doing....

(9/20) My favorite Christmas decorations.....

I love Nativity Scenes and have many of them scattered throughout my house. I have one my mom gave me...it decorated my home growing up. I have beautiful porcelain sets, simple wooden sets, a tiny set for my miniature village and a set in my bathroom. I love them all...not only because they are beautiful and bring peace to my heart...but because they serve as a simple reminder of Why.

(8/20) Sugar.....

Although Sugar is getting older...her beauty isn't fading at all. She's still snaggle-toothed and spikey furred with bulgy eyes and ears that look like they belong on a gremlin....just the way we like her. She can't hear well....has a harder time getting up and down the stairs and sleeps the day away....I can't imagine life without her.

(7/20) That's my boy....