Merry Christmas To All

Wow! What a great Christmas holiday. We had a wonderful time this year with traditions, family and friends. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, depending on your view) I didn't take many pictures. My phone actually takes great pictures and I always have it with me, yet I don't think to use it. I did get a couple of good ones, but I won't be showing any holiday slide shows (this is where the "fortunately" comes in!)

My mom came in town on Thursday (Christmas Eve Eve) and we did last minute shopping, a movie and dinner. We saw Tangled. Loved it! Then we went to a great Mexican food place by our house that the kids just love. Jaxon had no nap so he was tuckered out. He made it through the chips and queso but couldn't hang on much longer after that.

We started Christmas Eve off with a tradition of visiting my sister-in-law's sister. She throws a great Christmas Eve luncheon. Great food, great people, great memories. My brother carried the tradition following even further by tormenting my son just like he used to do me.

Yes, that is a bidet and he is telling Jaxon that that is where they get their water from at this house. When I was a kid, Jeff would have let me actually drink from it. He did (in his grown up matureness) keep Jaxon from actually drinking any thing. Good times.

Our Christmas Eve tradition to go to The Kempfs for more great food, great people and fun times. This year we added what will hopefully be two new traditions: sushi and Just Dance.

And what evening is complete without jello shots?

We also had the regular tradition of cards for adults and movie for kids.

Then it was home to bed to wait for Santa! Christmas morning was actually cold and the kids had a blast seeing what Santa brought, looking through stockings and opening gifts.

I think the favorite gift was the trampoline. The kids braved the cold to jump.

My brother and his family joined us at our house for Christmas dinner. It was the first time for us to host. We played, opened more presents and ate all day. Nonie got her picture with her grandkids.

I can't believe how fast they are growing up! Matthew is in high school!

Sunday was Christmas with the Kempfs. We had another great day of opening gifts, eating, and playing.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful family! Thanks to everyone for making our holiday a memorable one!

Cape Cawd

What a great Thanksgiving! We went to Cape Cod to celebrate with family and had a blast. There was eating, conversing, shopping, eating, drinking, shopping, eating, drinking, conversing and a little bit of sight seeing. We all had a great time. Thanks so much Duchemin Family!

The kids met Santa.

We had a great fish and chips dinner our last night there.

Spent Monday in Boston, seeing the sights and playing at the playground.

And made a beautiful gingerbread house.

Christmas will be here before you know it!

Sundays

I'm not in to football, but, man, I LOVE football season. I love the weather (which has been beautiful here for weeks!), I love the food, I love the fact it means Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all on their way, and I love the fact it means Kevin and his friends will be at our house watching football.

"What?!" you say; I want a bunch of men over at my house, yelling at a television, talking about fantasy football and making messes that only men seem to make? Yep, I do. These guys bring their kids and everyone plays outside. It's great. The kids have a ball playing, the men have a ball watching football in the garage and I have time to clean, grocery shop, do the laundry and, maybe, nap. Everyone's happy. As seen by the following pictures:

So, Go (insert football team name here)!

Man, They Learn Fast

"Mommy, if you pick up those Legos, I'd be so proud of you!"

I think Jaxon has learned our tricks.

While the Cat's Away...

the mice shall play.

And play is what we did while Kevin was out of town. We played at Chickfila with friends. We played at the Memorial City Mall (and yes, we played, not just shopped!) We played outside in the cul-de-sac. We had a blast. We even took our bath Saturday night out in the backyard (something Daddy would have done, but NEVER Mommy!) We missed Daddy, but we had a blast!

Jocelyne pushing Ella.

John cruising on the bike.

Will taking a breather on the scooter.

Logan showing his dinosaur face.

Avery scootin'. (The only one that would stop for an actual pose!)

Ella hanging with the big kids. She's such a trooper!

We had a few spills, run ins and some skinned knees, but no tears!!

Ready, Set...

We are all ready for our first day of school. I followed a friend's advice on taking pictures of the first day: she said it can be helpful to take pictures before the day because that day can be so crazy. In my case, I don't get to see Jocelyne on her first day, which is sad for me and also means that her daddy is left to take pictures of her (and do her hair, but we won't go there now). So I decided I'd dress the kids up Sunday afternoon before the first day and take some casual pictures of them in their clothes and with their backpacks. This way we are relaxed and having fun preparing for the day. Then I decided that I didn't want to ruin this good idea by taking them myself, so I asked afore mentioned friend (she is a professional photographer) to take the pics for me.

When did they get this big?

They really do get along this well (almost) all the time.


He insisted he could get it on himself. Bless his teacher!

Melt My Heart

Jaxon can say some of the most random things. But, at times, he says some of the sweetest things. My favorite has always been, "Mommy, you know what I love?" "What do you love, Jaxon?" "I love you!" followed by a big hug. He just melts my heart. Last night, before bed, my new favorite--"Mommy, you're my favorite Mommy!" Love him.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho

Well, I'm back to work. I'm excited to be back in the classroom, but I'm really going to miss our summer routine (or lack of routine). We ended the summer with a last trip to the beach.

Then, Pops came to play with the kids for a few days. They got to eat out and go to the park. And draw. And play. And play. And play.

Jaxon started his Pre-K class, not willingly. He has been there for four days and still informs me each morning that he doesn't want to go to school. He also informed me that he will not be attending college. Great.

Jocelyne starts second grade Monday. I'm not going to be able to take her this year. I will be sending Daddy with the camera though. Let's hope we get pictures this year.

Jocelyne's Birthday and Visit to Nonie's

Last week, we celebrated Jocelyne's seventh birthday. I can't believe how time has flown. Seven! I decided that I would start a new tradition and we had a "Day of Spoiling" on her birthday. She got to pick where to eat for lunch and dinner, she got to go shopping and pick her presents and she got to go to the bakery and get a cookie then pick out a huge cupcake for after dinner. I tried to not say "No" all day (if you know me, you know that was impossible, but I did bite back the word a few times!). I might mention that Jaxon also enjoyed Jocelyne's birthday immensely as he also got to partake in all these things! I will have to change "Day of Spoiling" for next year a little since breakfast and lunch were both McDonald's (my least favorite place) and dinner was Taco Bell (not as bad as McDonald's but not good after all the other junk from the day).

Memere and Paw Paw stopped by to give Jocelyne her presents. They gave her some really cute clothes that she can't wait to wear.

We had a great day playing, eating, and shopping. I think Jocelyne enjoyed the new tradition. The next day, we left to go visit Nonie in her new home. The place looks great and the kids had a blast spending time with Nonie (as always). Jocelyne got to open presents (again!) and was pleased with her new shoes and clothes that Nonie bought. With the clothes that Memere had bought, Jocelyne is ready for the new school year with a styling wardrobe.

For all you with little girls, beware buying cute clothes, shoes and jewelry. Little girls suddenly become grown up when given all these things at once and attitudes can start to blossom!

Jocelyne has suddenly become interested in looking good. Up until now, dressing was all about "comfortable". Now, she wants to look good. Heaven help us!

At Nonies, we also got to visit my Aunt Cathy and Uncle Darrell, who had all their grandkids over at one time. They have 5 under the age of 4! We got the kids together for some cute pics.


I also tried my photographer friend's tips on picture taking to take these pictures. I will continue to just take my children to her for fantastic pictures. I can't seem to do it myself. Here are my attempts:

Thank goodness for Faithful Steps Photography! Visit her website to see what pictures should look like.

On Friday night, we went to see the hot air balloons that were in Longview for the Texas Hot Air Balloon Race. It was an amazing sight! We got to walk among the hot air balloons. I can't tell you how huge they are and what a sight when the light them all up at once. I tried to take some pictures, but as I just mentioned, I'm not very good at that. Apparently, I should have changed the setting on my camera to capture images at night. Oh well. Here are some pictures to try to give you a little idea of how beautiful these balloons are.


Not only did we get to see this awesome sight, but the kids got to play on some jumpy things and enjoy a festival atmosphere (which they love almost as much as I do. I love, love, love festivals and carnivals!!).

After all this fun, we returned home on Saturday, then on Sunday, Jocelyne got to bring two girl-friends to lunch and the movies. We went to eat pizza then watch Beezus and Ramona. Great movie! So, all in all, Jocelyne had a great birthday. Good thing it only comes once a year, though, cuz I am worn out!!

Just a few other pictures from the week: