Sunday

I made these skirts for the girls last summer. Don't look too closely, you'll find all sorts of flaws.

It's not often that I get the girls wearing their skirts simultaneously. So following church today I made Reese and Jaden pose for pictures, as it may very well be the last time that they both fit into these skirts too. Reese sure enjoyed the photo shoot. Both Jaden and I sure got a kick out of watching Reese enjoy the photo shoot. She's such a ham these days.

Above: This really is a pose that Reese wanted me to capture.

Also, I'm going to throw up these shots of Kyle. He's entertaining the kids in our nursery class we now teach together at our church. He reminds me every week that he's my "wing man." This after I tell him he's got the lesson that week--because he's yet to teach a single lesson since we started back in January. (Note: I don't typically take a camera with us to church. We were to take individual shots of the nursery kids for our I am a Child of God poster that is to hang in our classroom.)

Play doh: If you can't tell from the picture, Kyle just finished his demonstration of the snowman falling to the snake, by choke-out. It was captivating. The room fell silent. Following that, Kyle sang the theme song from The Little Mermaid.  You could hear a pin drop.  I'm pretty sure he lost all respect from the boys in the room. As far as the girls are concerned he went from zero to hero.

Actually, he's a pretty good "wing man."

P.S. We love having Reese in our class. It's really fun to be there while she is still in nursery. Not to be outdone here's a shot of me with the Disney-Princess-loving girls.

Love these 3

Dad,

Dad you are so cool.

Dad we want a pool.

Dad just go to work and get that bonus tonight--night.

In the summer we'll laugh and play.

All our troubles have gone away.

The we remember our Dad who is so cool, is so cool!

Love,

Jaden and Ty

This first one was performed to the tune of Justin Bieber's song Baby, while they simultaneously danced like robots. Where was my video camera?? Maybe, just maybe I can convince them to do it again. I'd even shell out cash. Oh, and there's no pool in their future.

Dear Mom,

Thank you for picking up after the family. And taking us places. I love you.

E-nthusiastic

M-akes wonderful meals

I-nterested about our day

L-oving

Y-ou are my Valentine

Love,

Jaden

Dear Mom,

You are the best. this is a song I made ya. I wish your shampoo were Blue. twinkle twinkle little star how I wonder what you are. I like fishing and you do to I just wish that you had good shampoo. I love you!

Love,

Ty

I wonder what I smell like to Ty. I wonder if he dislikes it.

Dear dad,

You are a dog when it comes to resling. You are active. You are a bust.

Love,

Ty

Dear Jaden and Ty,

Again this year we Valentine-treated you to a Main Street Theater production, The Magician's Nephew.  We saw this last year. We barely squeezed in the last chapter of the book in the parking lot, a whole 15 minutes before show time. Reese did not join us. We loved her enough to leave her with a friend, for what could have been a frightening performance for a soon to be 3 year-old. All three of you received handwritten Valentines from mom and dad that I've tucked away in your memory boxes. Let's just say that we may as well have shouted from the mountain tops of our love for each of you. Love, love, love you three!

Love this one too. On our way to a dinner. Tulips instead of roses. Finally had the heart to tell him that a few years ago. I love tulips. An "A" for effort all these years, but as long as you're paying the inflated price at the flower shop in your office building . . . I'll have tulips, please.

A visit from Deborah, Vinnie and Baby Scout

We were the lucky benefactors of Vinnie and Sarah's Christmas present to Deborah this year. Deborah was surprised with a 5 day getaway that took her out of the frigid Utah weather and dropped her in the balmy 65 degree weather here in Houston. Winter + Deborah= Deborah wishing for Spring, Summer or Fall. I'm sure she would tell you that her gift was a longtime coming and that it couldn't come soon enough. I would tell you that it is well deserved.

They stayed 2 nights with us and 2 at a nearby hotel. Selfishly, we didn't get to see as much of them as we would have liked but realize that the trip was not about us. The kids wished for more time with Scout, that's for sure. In fact, we all did. She is one stinking cute baby girl. We did get to sneak away to a nice dinner with Deborah and Vinnie followed by the Rockets/Jazz game. Their visit makes us realize what we are missing out on down here so far from any family.

I wish we had family nearby. I wish we lived by family. But I don't necessarily wish it hard enough to be moving anywhere anytime soon to do something about it. Yet. Plus, too many of our family members are in limbo. I'll wait to learn where they all settle and see if we can't make it work to live closer to family then. It is very likely that I said that five years ago.

Props to Sarah for tending 4 kids that week. She's the best Aunt ever!

Christmas 2010

The month of December flew by as it always does. We kept plenty busy with the usual routine and beyond; school parties, work parties and church parties. Kyle was extra busy at work. It was Christmas Eve day when he was finally able to come up for air--just in time to hit up The Houston Nutcracker Ballet, as is tradition for us now. Afterwards, and being rushed for time to get Christmas dinner and program on, we had the kids open their Christmas PJ's on the car ride home. I kind of liked that they were in their PJ's playing name-that-Christmas-tune all the way home. We typically have a fancy dinner on Christmas day. However, we figured we'd give ourselves one more day to eat leftovers as we were considering a spontaneous 13 hour drive "over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house" the day after Christmas.

Christmas morning began early. True to his word Ty was the first to be vertical. After claiming he didn't look at anything as he came down the stairs and couldn't help but pass the tree, he asked permission to wake the girls. Which he did while I grabbed stockings from the tree room to be brought into our room because I've decided that stockings get overlooked when pitted against Christmas presents. Jaden finally got the guitar she's wanted but doesn't get to quit piano. And if Ty was happy to get sharks (football cleats) then Kyle was beyond thrilled to gift them. As far as a favorite gift goes for Reese, it's a toss up between Disney Princess polly pockets and plastic high heels. Christmas day continued as lazy and relaxing. Around 2:00 o'clock we had our chocolates and piano books in hand as we arrived at our local rest home. There we were quite surprised to be greeted by some of our elderly friends from the previous year (a rare occasion). Miss Grace is one that stands out as our favorite Southern Belle, always dolled up with plenty to say. Both Jaden and Ty played their best piano pieces--Ty having only one that Jaden taught him. And yes, his feet can now reach the floor. Kyle planned to play two songs but Reese fell asleep in his arms. And I'm in charge of taking pictures. Maybe next year I'll have taught myself a song or two but if it's between that and finishing Reese's stocking, I'll most likely show up empty handed again at the rest home.

Back home we ate our Christmas Eve leftovers then sent the kids to pack their bags for our potential trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house in the morning. The decision to go was made while they slept. Kyle's work playing the large part as well as weather (our SUV was born and raised in Texas which means it's a Yukon with 2WD). The weather let up and we had dry road there and back. We always have the best time in St. Louis. We love having Grandma and Grandpa to ourselves. It's hard to compete for their attention with 9 siblings, their spouses and 40 grand kids at family reunions. We take full advantage of our time spent with them while at their home. Some highlights include: sleeping in daily while mom made pancakes for the kids. Sledding in their backyard; a trip to incredible pizza; a visit to the magic house; facials with Elle; karaoke in the basement; kids falling asleep together in front of the electric fireplace in the basement. Grandma Rowe playing the piano and Matthew pleading with her to stop playing the piano . . . the list goes on.

Houston Nutcracker Ballet on Christmas Eve day.

Jade and Ty thrilled and seated in what was nearly the highest seat in the theater.

Jaden on piano at the care facility.

Miss Grace. We would be so lucky to visit her again next year.

Just before this picture Miss Grace told Ty that she was going to make it to every flag football game he has this next year.

Below: We are off to St. Louis to visit Mom, Bob, Elle, Matthew and sweet Grandma Rowe for one week.

Petite and precious Grandma Rowe.

Here are all the ladies working tirelessly to put together Ty's Harry Potter Legos and Jaden's 3D white house, something we all enjoy.

The standoff. If I recall correctly, Matthew wasn't thrilled about the idea of the kids watching a movie (as usual). In an effort to impede, he placed himself directly between the TV and kids repeating, "You're not going to watch a movie!" To which Reese and Ty responded, "Yes we are, Matthew!" And back and forth it went. All in good spirit. My kids leave from mom's with a little more backbone then they arrived with. And you can see the top of Grandma Rowe's head in this pic where I am just sure she's wondering who's in charge of these yayhoos!

Sledding in Grandma's backyard.

Incredible Pizza

Jaden and I visited Elle at her office. We were both treated to some pampering. Here's Jade before her facial . . .

and after.

A Thanksgiving unlike any other

We've enjoyed putting on Thanksgiving the past 3 years. More than that, we have loved the family and friends with whom we spent the holiday. This year when we learned that we'd be on our own for Thanksgiving, Kyle had a great idea. His idea was to finally hit up a University of Texas football game. The third longest rivalry is between UT and Texas A&M. Tradition has them playing on Thanksgiving day and we've been saying for some time that we'd attend a game.

We drove the three hours to San Antonio where we stayed in a nice resort. Our Thanksgiving meal before the big game was very different, for two reasons. The first is that it was all purchased and made in the same day. That was lovely. I typically spend, at least, a week before Thanksgiving mulling over new ideas, planning, purchasing the food and then preparing any dishes that I can days before the actual feast. Secondly, while I did my hair, Kyle put the meal together. I quite enjoy preparing the traditional meal. Alternatively, I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed the tables being turned (even if it wasn't to the same degree).

The weather allowed us to swim the first day as it was in the mid 60's. It then changed drastically by dropping 30 degrees just before game time. Even Texas can get pretty cold with wind chill and humidity that bites. But we DID NOT sit. We stood the whole game. Mostly, because we couldn't have seen the game otherwise. The entire stadium was on their feet for the duration of the game. The kids were enthusiastic about the game and fared well despite the weather. Ty refused to rest his legs even when a view allowed him to watch on the jumbotron because he, "wanted to watch it live." Communicated through chattering teeth if I remember correctly. And if the above picture doesn't have "devoted fans" written all over it, then you should meet Reese. She practices her "hook 'em horns" religiously ever since that night in the stadium. Where, along with the rest of the Longhorn fans, she sang The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You, while waving her horns. It is daily that I find her sharpening her skills. And she couldn't be prouder. Needless to say, it was a memorable holiday for our family. One that we'll more than likely repeat.

Jaden with her staples: a cheese ball and root beer. The cheese ball is quite necessary for it to really feel like it's Thanksgiving. It was the only homemade dish, which is what allowed me to take my time doing this . . .

and this.

While Kyle did this.

And then it was time to put our game face on!