Annual Fun Day in Belton

This was the second year in a row that we headed to Belton on MLK Day on the kids' day off school. Guess it is now declared a tradition! We Facetimed Mimi & Grandpa in Belton. It got just a tad loud in the room (ha ha). 

And it was a bizarrely warm January day. So majority of the day was spent with cousins outside playing in the biggest front yard ever...a college campus! A fun day for all.

My little tree hugger. :)

This one is always good for a laugh!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Will's preschool has some pretty fun traditions. The Chinese New Year parade may be one of my favorites. Very impressive!

Will was having fun until he saw me. It kind of went downhill from there as he was quite confused why I wasn't walking with him. But still a great parade!  :)

A quick pic with his favorite PE Coach!

Saying Goodbye

Well our 2014 started off with a bittersweet goodbye. We got the news in November that my parents would be moving to Oregon to be close to my grandparents. Of course it is great that they will be nearby to help and to see all of the West Coast family. But it was a hard and sad goodbye for the rest of us here in Texas.

We were able to do one last birthday dinner for my Mom before they left.

Then on a 34 degree evening, we said our kind of random teary, sad, teeth-chattering goodbye in the parking lot of Pappadeaux.

I will say it is quite surreal that they are gone and not at this house anymore. We moved into the house my sophomore year of high school. So I technically didn't live there for a really long time, but it's been my parent's house my entire "grown up" life and the only one my kids have known for Mimi & Grandpa. We'll miss all of the Thanksgivings, Christmases, Easter egg hunts, and hours and hours of swimming fun that have happened here.

Saying goodbye to the Fox Glenn hose and the BIG room the grandkids got to play in.

Downton Abbey

My friend Kristen & her mom, Suzanne, hosted a super fun (come in costume) party to kick off the premiere of the new season of Downton Abbey. I'm a self-proclaimed addict and just a tad excited. 

I went as the American mother-in-law character, played by Shirley Maclaine. My own MIL was great to lend me the coat. :)

A lovely evening!

Misc. December

December Happenings...

It was an honor to go with the Firestones to remember my sweet friend, Kari. This is an annual service the local Police Department organizes to honor those lost in tragic events. Remembering Kari and being surrounded by those who were mourning felt like holy ground. I was thankful to be there and thankful that she continues to be remembered.

Shannon, Brad, Wade, & I took the three big kids to Holiday In The Park. It was a cooooold day but lots of fun. And fun being with Morgan her first time on the roller coaster. Let's just say she wasn't a fan...but super proud of her for trying. :)

AndI was a little proud of myself for trying the Titan. It is the craziest, stupidest five minutes. Seriously why did we do that to ourselves?

This picture is of Tate approximately 2.1 minutes after we got home.

Wade got to be Watch Dog at Tate's school. Probably one of Tate's most favorite days of school. :)

Thankfully when the winter storm hit, Tate had a giant Lego set to occupy his time. 

One of his favorite games.

One of the funniest nights in December was our Small Group Christmas Party. It was an "As Seen On TV gift exchange." HILARIOUS. And scary that people pay real $$$ for these things.

Big winners!

Although I will say that taking home The Clapper made my night. Went straight to the Christmas tree lights. Clap On!

When Will's school pictures came home, it about took my breath away. SOme serious cuteness going on. Freckle on the lip and everything.

The one time a year (don't judge) that I turn the kitchen into a crazy, messy baking disaster. Two dozen "Thin Mints" each for 15 different teachers between the boy's two schools. Crazytown.

And speaking of crazy...it's totally normal in homes across America for children to bathe in goggles, right?

Tate worked up some plays for the Cowboys vs. Eagles game. The team needed all the help they could get this season.

This flu doesn't keep this kid from getting his dance on.

And our attempt to do something kind of cool. Waking Tate up at 11:55 p.m. on New Year's Eve to ring in the new year. At least this year he actually woke up. :)