12 Days of Holiday - Part II

So after our fun visit in Austin, we packed up and headed back down to S.A.

Sadie relaxin' while we pack up our suitcases. (Thanks for the outfit Mom!)

When we got back to San Antonio, my grandparents, Dada and Pop were already there! We had a good visit for three whole days!


Here, Dada helps my mom (Pearl) bathe Sadie girl.


And then gets on those jammies. (Sadie is z-o-n-e-d...ready for sleep).


Sadie girl watching TV (or the big thing with lights and sound) with my dad, or Big G as he hopes to be called.


Daddy kissed Sadie bye-bye before he left to go to the Bowl game in Shreveport. We missed you!

Twelve Days of Christmas (and New Year's)

So, it has been a while since I posted - I took a break while we were gone, but I'd love to catch you up. Though we usually alternate holiday visits, this year, we were able to visit lots of family - San Antonio for a day, then to Austin, then back to San Antonio, then home to Tyler. Totaling twelve days away from home. (Oh, and Jason left S.A. and went to Shreveport for the Aggie Bowl game in the middle there too... ) Lots of travel, but lots of wonderful family, treats and a great holiday break. Here are just a few of the highlights: (It was hard to pick from all of the precious moments and photos.)

Down in Ol' San Antonio: My brother flew in from NYC for a few days and of course, wanted to hang with his cute niece.


What I didn't expect was him getting on the floor and climbing under her mobile with her! Brownie points for my bro! Love it!



Sadie loved it too! (Notice the giraffe bib with the green and aqua outfit? Coordinated, no. Necessary, yes. Spitting up, often).

Off to Austin (Christmas Eve, Day and the 26th).

Christmas Eve service at First Methodist in downtown Austin, then off to Michelle and Barry's house for yummy spaghetti. (Great food, Chef Barry!)


Aunt Michelle gets in a squeeze before dinner.


...and so do Mimi and Poppa.



Sadie girl chillin' in her Christmas jammies at the hotel...then off for a good night's rest.

Christmas morning: Back over to Michelle and Barry's for breakfast and gifts!



Our niece, Carys, opens up a stocking stuffer. Her dog, Sophie is interested, too.



Jason and his mom, Jane, relaxing. Great pic!


Making faces with Sadie just before lunch. Silly Mommy.

Photo shoot? Yes! Michelle arranged for her friend, who is a professional photographer, to take some family portraits.


Here are Jason, Jim, Jane and Michelle, getting ready to pose. (Jane is the only one who is ready).

Part II coming maybe tomorrow - This was a long post. Happy New Year everyone!

Ready to go!

We have been wrapping presents, doing laundry and packing suitcases -- We are ready for Christmas down South!



(Sadie is very happy about this hat, and going to see her grandparents). Santa hat - Check.


Candy cane stripped leggings (and round "Santa" belly) Check.


Trial run in Christmas outfit number 1 - Check.

San Antonio and Austin -- Here we come!

Three Days of Christmas

So, this is a long, long post, but we were busy! We spent the weekend at home, unpacking and (finally) decorating for Christmas. Better late than never, right? We wrapped gifts, decorated the tree, and went to our PC Christmas party on Monday. Gettin' in the spirit!

FRIDAY
Here, Sadie continues to stare at those keys...She knows she can hit them, but just can't figure out how...

(We were unloading boxes in the background).

SATURDAY
The tree goes up...


Lights go on...(bottom half by me, top half by goofball husband)...


Add a little gold garland, our random snowflake topper, and our eclectic collection of ornaments... and Voila!



Sadie examines the tree (really the lights ON the tree)


Then her new stocking...


SUNDAY
Getting ready for church -- Sadie girl in her black and white ensemble.


Off to church, then the grocery store for our weekly stop...Then back home to finish decorating.

Ta - da! The completed mantle decor:

(Names to be embroidered on the stockings after the holidays... we just got them). Aren't they fun?

Jason's is "Blitzen" on the slopes, obviously...


Mine is "Vixen," but really just a stylish lady reindeer, in a dress and wrap


And Sadie's is "Cupid"...a cute girl in a skirt with lots of love

(I think hers is the cutest).

MONDAY
We relaxed at home, while Jason was at work, then took him homemade chicken noodle soup around noon...but before that, we took some quick pics.


The winter onesie is still a little big in the shoulders, yet, I can barely button it lengthwise...hmmm.

Whoa...Back up with the camera, Mom.


The money shot.It doesn't get any better than this.


Last night we got all gussied up and went to the Pine Cove party. (Sadie got to stay home with our sweet friend, Alissa - Gracias amiga! (She snapped this before we left).


We sat and ate with our buddies, the Hanveys. Even though we have lived together several times, this was the first time to sit and chat in a while.


What a fun three days! (Really four, I guess).

Winter Wonderland

Alhough we had half an hour of tiny snowflakes last week - (VERY exciting here in Texas) it has been mostly chilly and rainy...but we still love the winter weather.

Sporting our new toboggan from Colorado...(Sadie is still not sure about hats...)



Gazing at the newly opened first real toy - Keys! (We have started reaching for them, but after three attempts I gave up trying to snap a pic).

The most wonderful time of the year

Saturday: Getting out all of the Christmas goodies


We tried on the hat...and at first weren't sure...Then after a minute...




We liked being Santa. Thanks for the loan on the hat Aunt Michelle!

Sunday night: Community group party


Everyone posing with their White Elephant/Dirty Santa (never heard it called that before..?) We had a WWF DVD interactive board game, blank iTunes gift card, a box of pictures of old girlfriends and notes (Good job, Doc), a few recycled wedding presents, cosmetics and Liquid Armor (sports drink).
The impromptu photo op did not involve much planning. You cannot really see us - hidden in the back. Great shot of Danny, Jen, Katie, and Lance, though.




Jason and Matt tried a new sports drink, not yet on the market...Hmmm, maybe they should rethink the flavoring.

Wednesday night: Girls craft night


Alissa, Andrea, Kara, Hemi and I headed to Hobby Lobby then over to Kara and Danny's. Andrea and I both made wreaths...with a lot of help from Alissa, the experienced wreath maker.


Andrea made a beautiful Christmas wreath...complete with ornaments, gold glittered branches, evergreen and feathers. Yes, feathers!


and I made one for the fall, since I already had one for the holidays. (Mine has feathers too, who knew they could look so good?) Thanks girls! It was so fun!

Thanksgiving '09

Ready for the big game...
While Jason took a quick nap, I got Sadie dressed in her Aggie gear, complete with itty bitty blue jeans and a headband (this one will NOT make another appearance...too big...too tight).

Then she promptly spit up her entire "lunch".
See the drool trail?

Thanksgiving at Camp

We stayed in town this year, so we had a fabulous homemade feast at the Woods camp.





No turkey leg this year...but doesn't she look ready for one?





We sat and ate with the Langemeier crew, and Noah and Craig posed for this pic with Jason... and Sadie. What fun!