11.30.2010

3 days. 2 nights. 1 ranch. 248 photos.

here are a couple that didn't make the christmas card.

11.29.2010

{friday night}

how is it that one match can start a forest fire,

but it takes a whole box of matches to start a campfire?

~christy whitehead



11.28.2010

welcome to the ranch.

enjoy the blue skies.

enjoy the landscape.

enjoy the fresh air.

enjoy the no cell phone reception.

11.27.2010

so many more things to be thankful for.

the arena. cowboy larry.

afternoon trail rides.

sunset mountain hikes.

blue skies. perfect weather.

fresh air. falling asleep super early.

early mornings in the barn.

the game room. ping pong.

cowboy food. hayrides. bonfires.

smores with chocolate frosting.

(maybe they don't know about hershey bars here.)

wild thing. midnight. blackie. popcorn.

peanuts. goliath.

getting back on the horse.

no cell phone reception.

11.25.2010

happy thanksgiving y'all.

so many things to be thankful for.

our thanksgiving dinner tonight.

at a dude ranch.

on a picnic table.

under a tree.

with the hudsons.

warm and sunny.

just waiting for the cowboys & indians to show up!

11.24.2010

happy thanksgiving eve.

we watched planes, trains & automobiles last night

in honor of this holiday.

cowboy boot shopping today.

snack shopping with sarah today.

football games in the street today.

no school for the boys today.

one invisalign appointment today.

this is today.

11.23.2010

hohoho.

bought 14 christmas presents today.

perfect day to shop.

last day of school for the boys.

blue skies & 80.

ordered a little something for steve.

hope he'll be surprised!

get yours here.

-

{updated total: 15 presents today.}

11.23.2010

daily december is almost here.

i'm actually ready.

i've downloaded & printed my pages here.

i've picked out a couple extras here.

i've bookmarked some circles here.

i'm not sure if i'll be able to complete it,

but i'm excited to try!

11.22.2010

more signs of christmas.

christmas magazines and holiday binder.

                                         the christmas tray proudly on display.

the holiday box dug out of the closet.

opening it was a gift in itself.

i forgot about all the great things i bought on sale

after christmas and stashed away till now.

ribbon/tags/cards/decorations - some marked down 90%.

hohoho.

holidays are in the air.

we are getting ready!

11.22.2010

signs of christmas.

colin doesn't have sugar plums dancing in his head.

he has winning the lego wish list contest instead!

the wish list is complete.

stamped & ready to mail.

this is better than a letter to santa!

11.21.2010

finally finished reading this memoir by mary karr.

this one took me a couple weeks to read.

well written sentences.

about a depressing childhood.

heavy. sad. spans her life from child to adult.

-

"a dysfunctional family is any family with more than one person in it."

— mary karr (the liars' club)



11.20.2010

our thankful project update.

everyone who comes through our front door takes time to write a word or two.

i love reading what we are thankful for at this time in our life.

-

"when I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around."

- willie nelson

11.19.2010

todays lawn art.

the neighbors were talking & taking pictures !

heres to the bathroom project done.

amazing what new toilets/lights/paint/trim can do to a room.

just trying to keep up with all the home renovations going

on in the neighborhood!

our 5 year home anniversary is around the corner...

happy day.

11.18.2010

we have traded in the football field for a basketball court.

we have traded in number 46 for number 30.

we have traded in a shirt with sleeves for one without.

we have traded our family monday night for family thursday night.

we have traded in our sphere for a circle.

we have traded in our cold metal bleachers for warm wooden bleachers.

we have transitioned to basketball season! 

go hornets!

11.17.2010

{early christmas celebration this past sunday - complete with
a plate full of cookies & milk!}

“too much of a good thing can be wonderful.”

                                                                      - mae west



11.17.2010

we had another special visitor this past weekend.

alphie stayed with us.

straight from ms. allens classroom.

alphie enjoyed a sunny day at the football field cheering

the bengals and colin to three wins.

                                                 a secret visit with santa.

 

                                                   just in time for some holiday fun.

thanks alphie for hanging with us!

it was one suitcase packed weekend!

11.16.2010

hohoho.

christmas gift completed in 31 easy steps.

and he loved each & every step.

nothing better than an early christmas present.

from the lego store.

in disney world.

carried on a plane from buffalo.

complete with light up light lights.

doesn't get any better than this!

{now}

quote of the day:

"take a picture for nan for the blog."

here it is.

11.15.2010

skype sessions with a birthday boy.

trumpet tunes with happy notes.

buffalo bouncy pit now in our kitchen.

1500 miles apart.

together via internet.

more good stuff.

11.15.2010

special hand delivered treasures

from maple street!

thank you hannah !

we have your artwork hanging on our refridge.

wait till you see what nan & granddad bought

for you from texas....

(something to go with your pink cowgirl hat &

taylor swift has many pairs of these!)

11.15.2010

hohoho.

the morning after christmas.

this is the scene i arrived home to this morning

after taking justin to basketball practice.

this is a school day.

the two boys in pajamas tells me different.

colin is busy with his new lego kit.

nathan is busy with his $$ filled itunes account.

the house is dark except for the glow of the christmas tree &

just enough light to sort legos but not enough light to

wake up nan & granddad - good stuff.

leftover turkey - better stuff.

christmas cookies with morning coffee - best stuff.

11.14.2010

hohoho!

merry early christmas in austin!

our special day was filled with church, brunch, cookies, frosting,

wrapping paper, fires in fireplaces, turkey, mashed potatoes,

presents, cocktails, friends & love.

 

 maybe we have a new tradition?

christmas before thanksgiving?

we loved it !