Care Group Christmas Party

We had fun eating, drinking cider, singing Christmas songs and exchanging white elephant gifts.  We missed you, Boerger family!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ...

The trees are up - all 5, the lights are on the house, about 30 Santas are proudly displayed, a nativity or 2 or 3 sits in every room, presents are wrapped, the cards are getting close (way behind on that this year), the train is up and so far Kate has not broken it, bathroom towels all display a Santa or Snowman or some holly, and 7 wreaths proudly hang, and I have been kissed under the mistletoe at least 3 times --- whew!!  We love Christmas and all of the decor and even the hustle and bustle because we do all of this with one thing on our mind - IT"S JESUS' BIRTHDAY PARTY!!  Happy Birthday and Thank you, God, for the gift of your Son!!

Tree #1

Tree #2 and Train

Kate's pink tree #3

Caleb's tree #4

Josh's tree #5

Merry Christmas to you all!

Cutie Cousins

Aren't these some cuties?!  I love seeing my family over Thanksgiving ... it is very crowded and the stories that are told are often repeats, but it is a perfect gathering.  A TON of good food, football, late night games, Aggie/tu game, funny stories, sleeping in the bunk house, one shower, lots of kids, laughter, and more.  I think we had over 50 people stay at my parents' lakehouse.  Yes, for 3 or 4 days!  And we enjoy each other!!  I laugh harder over those few days than the rest of the year.  There were many kids that I had not seen since the 4th of July and one born just 8 weeks ago ... they are all so cute and nice ... no fighting; just playing.  I had not seen my brother's kids in a while and they are a breath of fresh of air.  I mean ADORABLE!!  The oldest is the smartest, most polite 4 year old ever ... the twins make you smile instantly.  I truly think they would win the Pottery Barn Cutest Baby contest!!  And I am being humble ... but, seriously, I might have the best nieces and nephew ever.  My kids love them, too.  The morning after we got home Kate summed it up with " I want my cubbins (cousins)!  We gonna play!"

Feast #2

Last year at Josh's Thanksgiving Feast ...

Do you see my sweet boy on the far right end?  Yes, the ONLY one in jeans (and yes they had holes)?? And, yes, the only one in a handmade, no sew top made out of some cheap Walmart fabric?? Well ... lesson learned.  Check out this year's feast attire ...

We fit in much better this year :).  Thanks to a little brown felt and an online costume center and $14 ... worth every penny!!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Pocahontas ... or maybe Squanto

It was a big day ... Kate's first Kids Kaleidoscope Thanksgiving Program and Feast.  She had a couple of songs and sang them proudly last night as we all talked up her big approaching performance.  Now, my boys barely sang at any of their 8 years worth of KK Feasts but we had high hopes for our dancing little performer!  And then, she walked into the room with around 300 people, saw me, and broke down crying!  Her teacher had a small cup of Skittles which quickly convinced her to take the stage along with her classmates to sing.  She stood frozen for the first few lines and then moved her mouth some and actually did several motions at the end of her songs!  She clapped for herself at the end of each song and was just a cutie-pie!  But ...  look at the first picture.

Is it really Pocahontas or is that a boy, maybe Squanto??  Chris and I got the giggles because she looked JUST LIKE Caleb did but she had on a dress.  As precious and beautiful as that sweet girl is ... she looked like a sweet little BOY!!!  too funny

Once she sat down, she gave us a few waves and even a grin.  She was so excited that Mommy and Daddy were at her school.  She loved the turkey, sweet potatoes, grapes, some congealed salad (the thought makes me ill) and refused all things green.  Her favorite part was, of course, dessert!

Kate, you are growing up so quickly.  You love, love, love your friends at school and adore Ms. Teresa.  We were so proud of you today and enjoyed having a lunch especially for you.  My favorite part of the entire day was showing the boys (who were at school during her feast) the video of her performance and watching her stand by the TV and sing EVERY SINGLE word to all of her songs!!!  I guess she prefers a smaller crowd ... 

To Thanksgiving, to turkey, to my family, to our little Pocahontas ...

Weekend Fun

We went to College Station for the weekend ...

Josh enjoyed his homemade cake by Lalee ... carrot cake, his very favorite!
We met friends in Waco for our annual Baylor vs. A&M game.  Good to see the friends; as for the game, well, we don't need to go there!!
the boys were both honored at chapel today.  Caleb received the award for the character quality of respect, treating everyone as valuable and deserving of honor.  It is based on the verse 1 peter 2:17 "Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the King."  Josh received the award for faith, knowing God will do what He says even before we can see it.  It is based on the verse Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Smores - Glenney style

Kate absolutely loved smores.  She ate all of it and wanted more ...
Caleb enjoyed the whole "playing with fire" part ...
Josh announced that he wanted this to be a new Friday night family tradition ...
To siblings, to the backyard, to chocolate with a graham and marshmellow, to a cold night, to a little Alan Jackson playing in the background, and to lots of laughter and fun ... Friday Night Family Smore Night ... sounds like a good tradition to me!!