Christmas Day

As usual, Madden was ready to start the day at 7:00 this morning, so we all got up and headed downstairs to see what Santa brought. I wasn't sure how Madden would react, but he actually noticed the new toys sitting in the living room! When we put the Christmas tree up, he did NOT seem to notice that, so I wasn't sure!

We let him play with his toys first, then I cooked breakfast and the adults shared gifts with each other. It was a busy morning, but a fun one! By noon, everyone was down for a nap! I don't think any of us got out of our pj's all day......and yet, again, I have no pictures, other than Madden.....and I am bummed. Must take more pictures next year! It's hard to be the hostess AND the photographer!

Merry Christmas!!

Twas The Night Before Christmas....

Well, as predicted, the weather did change and we ended up with a White Christmas Eve. Out here, we only got a dusting, but it was still so pretty. Other parts of the state got several inches and caused lots of people to get stuck. We decided to stay in our town and attend church services closer to home....and it sure was a treat!

My family made it to our home in time to go to church with us. It was snowing and blowing so hard as we walked in and was SO beautiful. My family especially enjoyed it because we miss the snow we used to see in St. Louis. Church was great and we hurried home to enjoy Cowboy Stew and cornbread. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures of the snow or of us dressed up for Christmas Eve.....it's just been one of those days! I regret there are no pictures......but oh well.

Now, everyone has gone to bed....it's getting late....Santa has come.....and this mama is heading to bed. Here are just a few pictures to remember Madden's 2nd Christmas!

Madden's sweet handprint. His WONDERFUL babysitter did this with the kids and sent it home as a gift yesterday. I LOVE IT....and was so appreciative that she thought to do something special with the kiddos!

The Christmas season has definitely been more fun this year with Madden, but I can't wait until he REALLY gets into the magic of it all.....as well as the true reason for the season. I have a feeling next year is going to be really special......where we can start some fun traditions that he will enjoy! But for now, I will treasure this age of 17 months - full of wonder, fun, exploration!

Time For A Break....

It's December 23 and it is 75 degrees. Unbelievable. Of course, tomorrow, they are predicting snow. Texas weather.....never a dull moment!

Today was the last day of work and "school" for a while - woo hoo! I am so thankful to get to have these next 2 weeks at home. To celebrate the break and the beautiful weather, we played outside for a bit.....and I took some pictures.....mainly to remember this cute reindeer outfit and capture Madden's fun spirit these days! He LOVES to play outside.

5 YEARS!!

Marc returned back from the Philippines just in time to celebrate our 5 year anniversary! We had a great day together. We took Madden to the sitter and enjoyed a movie and Christmas shopping.....then picked Madden up, came home and after he went to bed, we enjoyed a nice dinner at our favorite steakhouse. We always had big plans for the big 5 year anniversary, but as it turned out, a nice day together was just perfect for us! At one point, we were reflecting on all that has happened in 5 years....and to us, it seemed like a lot! We are very blessed to have each other to journey through life with.

Summer 2004

December 11, 2009

Is it me - or have we aged?! :)

It's been a fun ride and I look forward to many more years together!

Aunt Caroline Comes To Visit

Soon after Thanksgiving, Marc left for a 10 day trip to Manilla in the Philippines. Since he had made this trip before, I knew I needed to figure out something to do during that time so I didn't get too lonely.....SO.....my sister, Caroline (aka Care Care) came to visit! She flew in for the weekend and we had a great time! She helped me finish my Christmas decorating, we shopped and ate and played with Madden. She hadn't seen him since July, so he had really changed a lot.

Lainey sent some Christmas cookies with Caroline and they were supposed to be for Madden....but Madden shouldn't eat FOUR cookies, so Caroline had some. They were SO cute....almost too cute to eat. Madden wasn't so sure about them.

He seemed to really be enjoying them.....and then he threw them on the floor.....ah, the joy of mealtime!! Will my floor ever be clean again?!

Thanks for coming to visit, Caroline!

Santa, please bring me a chair!

I have had this chair for as long as I can remember. It is a very small doll size chair and most recently, it has been in my room with a pillow in it. Well, lately, Madden has been carrying the chair to the family room and tries to sit in it. He's broken it a couple times, but I have glued it back together. Needless to say, I think it is time to get this boy his own chair! Good thing it's on his Christmas list!

November Catch Up!

I am going to attempt to catch up since my last post.....Let's back up to......

HALLOWEEN! Well, it didn't exist for us. Marc and Madden both had a stomach bug....and I was exhausted. So, we were all in bed by 7pm. Lights out. No trick or treaters. Very sad, I know. I had even bought candy to hand out. Oh well. Next year, I hope to get Madden a costume and let him participate more in the holiday. This year just didn't happen....but at least we went to the pumpkin patch!

Madden turned 15 months at the end of October. Here are a few pics.

Not too much to report in November. The first couple weeks were spent trying to adjust to Daylight Savings. For some reason, we had a REALLY hard time. Madden was getting up at 6am and we were all going to bed at 8pm. Marc and I would look at the clock and think - it must be almost midnight....and it was like 8:30pm. I think we have finally adjusted....or maybe the holidays are just busy and we find ourselves staying up later!

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Marc and I went to Lubbock with his brother Ken and wife Cheryl. My mom (Lainey) came and watched Madden. I think they had a fun time....and we had a blast! We went to Lubbock to cheer on the Texas Tech Red Raiders against the Oklahoma Sooners. Marc went to Tech and is a fan for life....and I have become a fan too! Who would've thought?! Growing up in St. Louis, football was just not a big deal....or at least didn't seem to be. I don't think I ever went to a high school football game. My dad watched it on TV, but I was never interested. In college, I might have gone to 1 game a year.....but again, it was never a big deal. Once I met Marc, I discovered that football games are actually pretty fun. I am still not too big on watching them on TV (unless Tech is playing), but I LOVE going to a game in Lubbock. I had not been in a couple years, so this year was especially fun. Our niece is an OU cheerleader, so they cheered on OU and we cheered for TT. While the game is fun to watch, I really enjoy all the "extras" - the masked rider racing across the field, the band, the players coming out, the cheers, the students and their excitement, and more! It is a sight to see.....and one I have come to love because it is something my husband loves.

So, our first stop on the way to Lubbock was Strawn, Texas. I have driven past in hundreds of times, but never knew about this place....Mary's Cafe. Marc and his brother Ken learned about this place and planned for us to eat lunch there on the way to Lubbock. It is a hole in the wall restaurant, known for their chicken fried steak.

Here is what my plate looked like.....and Marc and I split one. Just looking at this picture grosses me out! I didn't even make a dent in mine. To be honest, I thought it was OK. I am not too big on all the grease. But, everyone else really enjoyed it. I thought it was funny that they added a salad to the plate....like that is going to help you feel better about the calorie content!

We arrived in Lubbock on Friday night just in time to catch a quick dinner at Spanky's. I LOVE Spankys - especially their fried cheese. YUM! Let's just say we didn't really eat healthy on this trip! After dinner, we did a little shopping and headed to the hotel to get ready for GAME DAY!

Saturday morning, we went to breakfast at Roof Top Cafe. Wonderful as always. Then, headed to the game since it was at 11:00am. It was chilly, but somehow I managed to get sunburned. It was a really beautiful day!

The final score! GO TECH!

After the game, we did a little shopping and then headed back to the hotel for a nap. For dinner, we went to Caprock Cafe.....and guess who was sitting at the table next to us?? Texas Tech Head Coach, Mike Leach! SO EXCITING. I really wanted a picture of him, but this is the best I got. Can't you see him? Look real close.....we were trying to not be obvious.

But, my niece finally got enough nerve to go ask him for a picture. This one is much better. See - he was there! He is such a nice guy.....

Marc wouldn't get his picture made with Coach Leach, so I made him take one with me. Nice sunburn, huh?

We had a great trip. Nice to get away. I love Lubbock. It reminds me a lot of Abilene. As Marc says, "what is lacks in beauty, it makes up for in charm". Who knows....maybe one day we will live there!

Moving on to Thanksgiving.......
We celebrated Thanksgiving at our house this year with the Moore family. I think we had 17 people at the house! It was crowded, but lots of fun. Marc had the idea to eat our dinner at 7pm after the Cowboy game....and it really worked out great. We were able to enjoy our day and it didn't seem so rushed. Marc smoked a turkey and I made a few items, but everyone brought something, so that was nice. Marc's aunt, uncle and cousin came in from Austin. Below are a few pictures of Madden in his turkey shirt. I am in LOVE with the lady that makes these shirts....we have several. Check her out at themonogrammonkey.com.




So, that is what we were up to in November!