Julie and Caleb Start the Year off Right

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to run at least 6 5K runs this year. I have been attending Cross Country meets for Caleb and Jacob and they have inspired me. Caleb said he would run with me (sort of). He runs the race and then doubles back to make sure I finish and "cheer me on". 1 down five to go. This first one was called, and appropriately so, Bold in the Cold. Wouldn't you know that after 2 beautiful 75-80 degree days a cold front blows in and drops down to 35 (with a windchill of about 20) EEEEEEEEEEEk! Next I am off to the Fort Worth Cowtown in February...anyone want to join me?!

Emma's Locks of Love

Emma's Locks of Love

Over the course of the last year Emma decided that she would let her hair grow out and donate it to Locks for Love. Thursday after school she asked if I could measure to see how she was coming. Finally the ponytail is the exact length required. An appointment was made at the "girliest" salon I could find to make the cut, cute. She was so excited she wanted to keep it a secret but just couldn't help letting it slip once in a while. Here is the result, big heart, big smile and beautiful through and through!

Last Family Vacation of the Year

After Christmas was over and things slowed down a bit we decided to load up the family and head north to Wichita, Kansas. Glenn's sister Karen, husband David and their boys have lived up there for just over a year now and we were ready to explore new places. Just a quick 5 hours up I-35 and we were there. On the way we stopped in Oklahoma City and took the kids to the Memorial there. Caleb and Jacob, armed with new cameras from Christmas took lots of pictures. The stillness and reverence made an impression on us all. Once we got to Wichita the kids were playing together for 3 days straight. Lot's of time on the Wii, a full blown tennis tourney was set up and to get a bit of fresh air we all went to the Old Cowtown Museum. Kind of a ghosttown in the winter but lots of fun information and hands on stuff for the kids to do. New Year's Eve with David and Karen was food filled and fun. David got stuck at the youth dance but Karen prepared for an army with all the dips, chips, and hordorves (sp?) anyone could want. Thank you for hosting...we will do it again very soon!

A Very Merry Christmas Morning

Someday Christmas morning will not start until...huhm...8:00am :)! I am told that when that happens it will be kind of sad...we'll see! :) This year I'm not sure when the kids got up but they were instructed not to wake up mom and dad until at least 6:00am. Promptly at 5:59 I could hear the shuffling of feet and as soon as that clock changed....WAKE UP MOM AND DAD IT'S CHRISTMAS!!! Santa made everyone smile with a bike for Caleb, a ripstick for Jake, a doll for Emma and captain hook's island for Ethan! Mom made Dad smile when "she" gave me the gun he has been researching and coveting for months. Still not quite sure what it is...he can tell you all about it. Mom is happy with Chocolate, slippers that make her smile and an new iPod :)!

Christmas Eve with David, Gillian and Family

How blessed we are to have so much family so close. David, Gillian and all their kiddos joined us for Christmas Eve dinner, opening the Christmas Eve "present" new, warm (and to Caleb's shagrin) matching pj's! Lots of volunteers to "act out" the nativity story while Julie read out of Luke.

Christmas Eve

Brett and Candace Kidnap Kids for the Weekend

We are soooooooooo lucky and blessed to have Glenn's brother Brett and his wife Candace live so close. The weekend before Christmas Candace asked me when they could have the kids. After much hem-hah-ing and reservation we packed their bags and said bring them back when you get tired of them. Of course they were spoiled rotten...ice skating, Omni theater, Art museum, and to The Purple Cow for "the best hot chocolate ever!" Giving Glenn and I a little time for last minute Christmas preparations. What Fun!!!