12.31.2011

happy new years eve.

an evening filled with truth or dare, hide-n-go-seek,

delicious texas brisket, lady gaga dancing and safe walking home.

goodbye 2011.

hello 2012.

12.30.2011

how fun is this?

legoland for two lego obsessed young boys.

colin was up at 7am - all ready to go.

we arrived. we parked. we walked in.

we saw the sign.

SOLD OUT.

{think of chevy chase at the gates of wally world}

we shopped at the lego store to help our water filled eyes.

now we have the perfect excuse to head back to dallas soon!

-

we toured bass pro for an hour or two.

we stopped for a visit at ann and petes.

we headed south.

we made it home by dinner time.

happy way to end our year!

12.29.2011

off to swimming in the hotel pool.

followed by dinner in the hotel bar.

watched the baylor game on the big screen.

go rg3 go.

doesn't get any better than watching 5 dudes mesmerized

by one heisman trophy winner!

happy vacation memories.

12.29.2011

hello cowboy stadium.

this is more than just a football field.

this is a destination.

this is our first stop on our staycation.

we toured the stadium on a vip behind the scene tour.

i was in total awe at the attention to detail.

the boys loved it - not easy to please all three at once!

a memorable event for all!

12.29.2011

road trip.

heading north.

one tank getaway.

odyssey and odyssey caravan.

where can we be going?

12.28.2011

look what santa left for us under the christmas tree.

does that jolly old guy know us or what?

having fun playing modern family as a family

on this relaxing week off from school & work.

the boys ability to quote lines from the show

has us belly laughing.

we race to see who can quote the episode the quickest.

we totally bend the rules.

all fun!

12.28.2011

Nfl tally through week 16:
Steve 162
Nate 158
Justin 152
Colin 151
Carol 147
Close race as we head into the final weekend before the playoffs!

12.28.2011

finished reading dreams of joy this week.

another wonderful historical fiction book by lisa see.

i probably read it too soon after snow flower & the secret fan

because i can see how i will confuse the two books going forward.

great new author to me!

12.27.2011

Welcome baby Luke! We have a new nephew and cousin for our Christmas present! Congrats to mike and Sandra! Here's to an exciting new chapter in your life!

12.27.2011

today. here. now.

downtown. huts. hambergers.

three. boys. smiling.

no. better. time.

12.26.2011

words with friends is in full swing around here.

all five of us are playing separate games against each other.

lots of notification beeps as plays are made.

lots of laughs over word selections.

iphones, itouchs and an ipad are all in full swing.

how come no one wants to play scrabble anymore?

12.25.2011

justin has been waiting.....

all day to open nan & granddads gift and

our evening ended with a late skype call to lakemont court.

nan granddad mike sandra lauren & aaron all in view.

lots of laughs and disconnects!

lots of legos and madden video games for all!

welcome new home, reindeer plates & autographed paula deen cookbooks

shared for all -

now that all the gifts are opened & the cookies are gone -

all we need is a new baby cousin to arrive!

heres to more waiting....

12.25.2011

Christmas snapshots from my new iPhone. Can't wait to figure out how to use it! Legos. Xbox games. iPhone's x 2. Words with friends. Brunch here with the hudsons. Skype sessions. Video games on a new tv. Books. Far away phone calls. Merry Christmas memories.

12.25.2011

cousin kris kringles.

 a great tradition continues.

we are challenging each other with football stats,

making failproof knots and

taking in a profile in courage!

heres to great reading in 2012!

12.25.2011

quiet christmas moments.

i'm not sure what these blue shirt boys are looking at but

i love watching them together.

(note: nathans gifts in the same spot every year on display)

12.25.2011

christmas brunch on a cold december day.

egg bake. ham with mustard sauce. french toast bake.

fresh fruit. monkey bread. cookies.

nothing better than hanging with family & friends

on christmas morning!

12.25.2011

poppa and grandmas gift was opened on skype.

poppa and grandmas gift didn't stay long in the box.

poppa and grandmas gift is 32" and is already hooked up to an xbox.

poppa and grandmas gift takes gaming to a whole new level.

thanks poppa and grandma!

12.25.2011

no words needed.