It's over.

(The pictures loaded out of order and I'm WAY too lazy to re-load.)

In our family we have a tradition.

After we open gifts, we go to Denny's for breakfast.

On the way to said breakfast, as part of that tradition,

I can always count on my Christmas Loving Husband to sadly sigh,

"It's Over."

So much hype and excitement. Over in an hour.

But it really was a goody this year.

Below: We went to Gigi and Bub's for they afternoon.

SCORE! But better than the gifts were the company.

I SO SO SO SO love living near my family!

(and yeah- that huge gold wrapped gift is MINE!)

Here is my babe in his Christmas morning position with his new friend Daff.

Santa was stupid this year. He brought a bitty bike for my big boy.

Thank goodness he kept the receipt.

Didn't seem to matter tho.

Rydge was totally distracted by his stocking and forgot all about it.

I love my little OCD, line things up in a row, kid!

Kyle's dreams came true with a Rip-Stik and Madden '10.

I wonder if he got the subtle hint with the

deodorant, AXE, toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in his stocking?

My non-smiling brace face.

Santa brought him "a sport camp of your choice".

He's pretty psyched.

But I think, as always, the new boxers were his favorite.

Lulu got her Christmas wish.

The Justice papasan.

It doesn't really match her room decor...

but we'll work with it :)

Hayley and Lulu loving their new

animal pillows from Gigi.

A Christmas memory. Rydge got a nerf gun from Kyle.

Shea got a rubber chicken for his pup, Petey.

The rubber chicken became the target for the Nerf gun.

I hope Uncle Shea is a good aim, Rydge.

It was so great hearing from so many of you this Christmas!

We love you and hope your day was marvelous.

Here's to a WONDERFUL New Year!!

Mom caved.

My critters have been begging me for a pup

since Hobbes died five years ago.

Being the sensitive, loving mom that I am

(and taking only five measly years to make

my peace with this anxiety filled change)

I finally caved in.

Meet Daphne -

affectionately known as "Daff".

She's a 2 yr. old dachshund/beagle mix
She's sweet, snugly, soft and lovable.

And she better NOT pee ANYWHERE in my house!

Merry Christmas, Kiddos!

The Week Is Over

What a week.

I'm super pooped.

I think my lip is even drooping.

Here's to a GOOD night's sleep!

Casper Strikes Again

I'm not one who normally feels

the need to photograph toilet paper.

However, the mystery entity that

does no good around here -

the no-gooder, or do-badder,

has struck again.

The guest bath ran out of toilet paper.

There was one spare roll beneath the sink.

This is what I found inside the

cardboard tube of the new roll of paper.

Red Sprinkles.

3/4 GONE.

Seriously?

I just don't get these people.

Photo Shoot

We had a thoroughly DELIGHTFUL

photo experience yesterday.

My goal is to get ONE decent pic of each kid

just ONCE a year.

Is that too much to ask????

Kyle definitely thought so.

The 'flash' delay gave

him way too much creative leeway.

Seriously, dude. You're ELEVEN!
For. The. Love.
This child challenges me to no end.

And NO. I never got a decent shot.

Guess I'll try again next year.

Portrait of Me

Rydge asked me for a suggestion of

something he could draw during church.

I whispered to him to draw a picture of me.

This is the remarkably life-like result.The likeness is uncanny.

This kid has serious potential.

Dontcha think?

Christmas LOVER

Spencer won't let me take his picture.

I had to sneak this one.

This man is CUH-RAZY about Christmas.

We've been listening to holiday tunes for two weeks.

He comes home every few days with a new

Christmas decoration for the yard or house.

He just couldn't WAIT to put up our new tree.

Since our ceiling is like 100 feet tall,

we said adios to our 11 year old,

put lights on manually tree and we bought

a pre-lit 9 footer this year.

( I couldn't find a 100 footer anywhere.)

He's a BIG CHRISTMAS LOVIN' KID!

As a matter of fact, he's outside as I type,

putting up Christmas decor IN. THE. RAIN.

I love that fool!!

Weekend Fun

Warning : Many photos...

Tyler had his first piano recital on

Friday night. Here he is getting

in ONE last practice!

He did an amazing job.

He's only taken for a year,

but you'd never know it!

Thanks for your support

Gigi & Bubs!

Saturday we headed to Galveston to

watch my sweet sweet niece compete

at JAMFEST! Cheer competition.

Hayley's team did an amazing job.

They work SO hard!!

It's a whole 'nother world!

Spencer loved jammin' to the

loud tunes!

Here's all the fam fans!

Hayley's performance was flawless!

So glad we finally got to see the 'real thing'!

Here she is!

LOVE this girl!!

(I think the bow needed to be a

little bigger, tho :)

After the competition, we headed to the beach.

The weather was perfect!

And the kids swam, of course.

There were actually WAVES.

That's a rare occurrence.

The Rydger loving life.

Crazy kids!

Love the grafiti'd seawall in

the background. Only in Galveston.

Scary to think of that underwater

during IKE.

Gigi posing.

Mermaid?

Kyle buried in the sand.

Ready, set, hike!

Lulu's turn.

Great weekend!

Thanks Elmers!!!

God Bless the USA

Kyle had an assignment for Social Studies to research and make a poster of a family member (friend, acquaintance) that served in the US Military.

He wanted to honor my Uncle J. and he made a really nice presentation.

I've been thinking the past couple of days how darned blessed we are to live in this country. (Even if it's being run by some less than desirable leadership.) I've felt overwhelmed with the sacrifices made by so many who fight for our freedoms as well as the sacrifices made by their families.

My mom's brother, Uncle J, made the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life serving in Operation Desert Storm. At 27 years old he left behind a wife and three kids and a lot of family and friends that loved him. He died for a country he honored and loved.

As I contemplate Veteran's Day, (and all of my loved ones who have served and do serve in the US Armed Forces. See Gigi's blog on my blog list to left.) I would be ashamed of myself if I didn't somehow pay tribute and recognize those that serve this country and fight to maintain the freedoms we all take for granted. I know this is the promised land and I'm filled with a gratitude beyond words to live where I do and worship how I will.

Uncle J wrote a letter to me that I received after I'd learned of his death. At the end of his letter he said simply "I really miss trees. There aren't any trees here. Hug a tree for me." I'm not going to take all of these Houston trees for granted today. They are getting hugged! In memory of J and all those who have served and do serve and sacrifice in my behalf.

Thanks Veterans!

Saturday, in the park...

We had the perfect 'family day' at Burroughs Park.

Spent the day playing catch, Frisbee (I still can't throw),

ladderball, and chowing down.

The weather was PERFECT!

So fun being together.

Maddie & Hayley spent hours digging in the sand.

The trees are awesome.

Can you see that huge bird in this one?

Oh, wait - that's Ty.

It's not a bird - It's SUPERMAN!

(This child is going to give me a heart attack.)

We had to sing "36 turtles sitting on a log"

(in honor of photo below) for Rydge.

It took awhile.

There were even some fall leaves to enjoy!

I love this action shot of Kyle.

He tried to out run me....hah!

Great day, beautiful park, perfect company!

My baby...

Life can be so ironic.

With my first three kids it was all about the "firsts". First time sitting up, first time walking, first t-ball game, etc... But then along comes 'the baby'. Now I find myself sadly taking note of all the "lasts".

Rydger learned to ride a two-wheeler this week. I've tried to help him several times in the past with no success. But then Tyler told him Monday "it's time to take off the training wheels." Literally, within two minutes this kid was hauling up and down the street by himself.

The power of the heroic older brother!
Rydge is so excited. Each morning he rushes to get dressed, eat, and brush his teeth so he can rush out and enjoy his new found freedom before school.

Tyler even taught him how to stand up and ride like a big dude.

I know I should feel happy about his new accomplishment.
And to my credit Rydge THINKS I'm ecstatic.
But I really just want to cry.

I'll raise you a snickers for a reeses...

Halloween has come and gone.

Kyle outdid himself this year.

He and a buddy were cheerleaders.

Make-up, big hair and all...much to his dad's chagrin.

He really fills this out, huh?

These boys were WAY too comfortable in their get ups :)
Then there was the buffed up, mask-less Spiderman,
the witch who ditched her broom and hair within a half hour,
and the CUTEST mad-hatter I ever did see!!
The best part is always the candy trading.
However, this year they raised the ante.
It's no longer, "I'll trade you a Skittles for a Tootsie Roll."
Oh, no.
This is SERIOUS business.
These three broke out the monopoly money.
For $20 you can get a Tootsie pop.
$100 might get you a Milky Way.
Snickers and M&M's going for $400.
The HOT commodity is a Reeses.
They go for $1000.
Kyle is TOTALLY out of cash -
but he does have a pile of Reeses.

I'll bet you a pack o' Whoppers we're going to
find too many candy wrappers around the house
and the loot will be confiscated within 24 hours.
Anybody want to raise me a Baby Ruth???

Happy Halloween!!

For someone who feels actual animosity for Halloween,

I sure have been involved in a lot of Halloween crafty projects lately.

Here's Maddie's awesome SPIDER!

Spencer is usually in charge of the pumpkin carving.

He's conveniently in California this week.

Thus...mama had to get all sticky slimy.

Truth be told - I kind of had fun.

(Shhhhh, don't tell my kids.

It'll discredit my anti-Halloween position)

Here's Rydge's ghost pumpkin.

We had one of our most torrential

thunderstorms ever last night.

It TOTALLY set the mood.

After we were done carving we danced in the rain.

Yes, even me.

Tyler's sweet BAT .

I didn't get a pic of Kyle's with a candle.

He free handed his jack-0-lantern.

In true Kyle fashion, that pumpkin was gutted and carved

before anyone else had even decided on a design.

He so rocks.

Here's to loads o' CANDY!