A day in the life of Reese

Junie B. Jones

This is Jaden with the one and only Junie B. Jones seconds after she got her autograph. Ty wasn't nearly as interested, as Jaden, in snapping pics and getting his playbook signed.

As an early Valentine's Day celebration we took Jaden and Ty to see the play Junie B. Jones and A Little Monkey Business. They both really liked it. Jaden liked it so much so that we are looking into her being able to take some classes that the theater offers. And Ty enjoyed it so much that he wants to go for round two. So he's decided that taking his friends to see Junie B. will be a perfect way to celebrate his upcoming 6th birthday.

Sleeping Beauty's Cottage

Over MLK weekend we shacked up in this adorable cabin that we quickly dubbed Sleeping Beauty's Cottage. Kyle and I aren't big on Texas camping but must admit that we didn't feel like we were in Texas at all. We stayed at Bastrop State Park which is near Austin. The park was built up in this very unique area rightfully named The Lost Pines. I've not encountered anything quite like it in the state of Texas. It reminded me of my childhood surroundings in the Evergreen State. Also, the cabins sat right on the lake that is in the video above. And the picture showing the bridge was located right outside our cabin which you can barely make out in the background through the trees. The surroundings were so quaint.

We took advantage of the great out doors as best we could before the sun set. After which, we gathered in our cozy cabin with a crackling fire enjoying stories, s'mores and plenty rounds of UNO (where we learned that Jaden is a cheater). We can't wait to head back next year as we are pretty sure we'll be making a tradition of it.

How we spent Christmas 2009

Ice skating at the Pearland Town Center

The Houston Ballet Nutcracker on Christmas Eve

Quote of the Nutcracker: Seconds after the curtain closed Ty leaned over to Kyle and said, " Dad do you think there's some football on at home?" Classic. Now, don't let either Kyle or Ty tell you they didn't enjoy the Nutcracker. Because they did. At least as long as they knew there wasn't any football on! For the record let me remind you that going to the Nutcracker is a tradition of Kyle's family and he, Kyle, insists that we go. I, of course, love it. Our kids love it too. Even Reese, who other than loosing her snack to the lady in front of us after tossing it absent mindedly, thoroughly enjoyed the entire show.

The all traditional Christmas PJ's!

Christmas Day caroling at a Rest Home

My personal holiday favorite was having the kids play/sing Christmas songs and hand out chocolates at a local Elderly Home on Christmas day. Both Jaden and Ty voiced that going to the rest home was their second favorite thing that happened to them on Christmas day. Of course, their first favorite thing was their most coveted gift.

We have enjoyed doing this in years past whenever we have stayed in town for the holiday. This year it was quite a production. An overjoyed Nurses Aid made an announcement on the intercom letting residents know that: "a little girl would be playing Christmas songs and a little boy would be handing out chocolates in the grand room." About 20 residents came!

Jaden fabulously ran through her Christmas repertoire for over thirty minutes. While Ty handed out candy. Reese managed to entertain by dancing around the room with a mouth full of chocolate. Kyle forgot his hymn book that he planned to play Silent Night out of. So we made him sing a solo. Kidding. But even Jaden remembered her piano books!

Ty is also pictured above playing one song that he worked extra hard on to have learned the week of Christmas in hopes that he could play at the rest home. While Ty played one of the sweet ladies kept repeating, "Would you look at that, his feet don't even touch the floor. Do you see that? His feet don't touch the floor!" But that didn't get under Ty's skin. He did a swell job playing Up on the House Top.

An early Christmas gift

A long awaited playground came the week before Christmas from mom and dad. Jaden and Ty begged to sleep in it. And they sure can, once it warms up and once they convince Kyle to join them.

Reese's reaction after being told it was time to go inside. Check out those chuncky legs!

Christmas Program

Jaden and member friends her age performed this beautiful lyrical dance

at our ward Christmas program. Video below.

Jaden starts out second from the left in front. She is also one of the two girls leaping toward the end of the song. Reese isn't shown but you can sure hear her cough in the background. She's not sick. That's how she coughs.

Thanksgiving at home

Over the years I've had quite a few experienced chefs in my kitchen during the Thanksgiving holiday but none of them hold a candle to Jaden. She stayed up with Kyle and I until 11:30 preparing the turkey (that cooks through the night). Raising this one is already starting to pay off.

Jaden helped to clean out the gizzards,

(I love this candid pic we caught)

inject the herbs and flavoring,

and of course, in the end, take all the credit for a

beautiful turkey that was even more delicious!

Not to be outdone by her performance the night before,

Jaden decorated a beautiful Thanksgiving table.

Ty did as he only knows best - he got ready for some football. Really, he went up to his room alone and came back down fully dressed in this. Reese was also in the kitchen as my nearly naked, not so helpful shadow.

Our long awaited guests Nick, Katy and Sutton arrived

from San Antonio and we did feast. Followed by some serious playing of the wii.

Did I mention serious? Click on the pic to see their faces. Yes,

baby Sutton, this is what you have to look forward to.

Reese dons the "Great Gobbler" crown that was not rightfully hers. Jaden won this years "Great Gobbler" questionnaire of Thanksgiving trivia challenging Uncle Nick to 3 sudden deaths. Never got Jaden to pose for a picture however.

A quick post of Halloween, so that I can post Thanksgiving, cause Christmas is 5 days away!

I hang my head in shame because I didn't take any good pics of the kids in their costumes. Guess that's what happens when you put on the Elementary School Fall Carnival the same day. These will have to do.

Finally, it's all about me!

The surprise of a lifetime! Four sisters, 1 sister in-law and two nieces flew to Texas and showed up on my doorstep on my 30th birthday. When opening my front door to see all of them for the first time I believe I said, " Oh my gosh!" repeated seven times very slowly. I was completely shocked. I had no idea. Jaden and Kyle kept a good secret.

Yes I cried. And I challenge any of you to keep from crying under the same circumstances.

From left: Sarah, Lexee, Deborah, Kiffen, Hailey, Deon and Miriam

We took a trip to Kemah Boardwalk

We all rode the train.

A few less rode the phantom. Jaden being one of them.

Even fewer rode the 100ft drop.

And this one held babies so she wouldn't have to ride anything. Let's just say the car ride to Kemah was plenty exciting for Deborah and her nausea.

Deborah, while writing this I had yet another good chuckle reliving our ride (don't remember the name of the ride, do remember your eyes rolling to the back of your head) together at the Lynden Fair when we were kids.

Some took turns trying to be the favorite Aunt. Better luck next time Deon or rather grandma!

We ate out at Fish City Grill.

We played a few rousing games of zingo.

Still at Fish City Grill

And others of us studied calculus.

What we don't have any pictures of is the poor lady we turned in and who was then arrested outside my local grocery store. That was exciting. Doing our civic duty (or rather being a typical Davis -looking for some drama) we made the world a better place by seeing to it there be one less intoxicated individual driving the streets.

Also not pictured and for very good reason: what we looked like after staying up every night until 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. Lots of laughing, movies, walking down memory lane, making new memories, eating, drinking and being merry!

I had a blast! Still shocked that you all came. Thank you for making me feel so very special. It was my best birthday yet.

And, Lexee, I still haven't erased your beautiful picture you left me on my wall. :) I love it.