Christmas 2008- Poppy and Mimi's

After our winter weekend in Somerville, we headed down to Houston for a few days of Christmas with Poppy and Mimi.
Christmas morning was a wonderful blend of gifts and food, hugs and pictures. Poppy got a new cashmere sweater to match his eyes; if he treats it well, he can pass it down to Mason, whose eyes also match the sweater.
One of Madeline's projects this year was to save the money she earned from making her bed and helping around the house in order to buy a present for each person in the family. She took her jar of coins to the store and went down each aisle, looking for and selecting the perfect gift to be wrapped up and given out. For Mimi, she chose a Snapple candle with a lemonade scent.
Before all the gifts were opened, Madeline and Mason snuggled in front of the tree.
Dad's big project this Christmas was to trim some trees and clear some of the undergrowth behind his house. He got a new chainsaw from Mimi for his last birthday and he was eager for Jay to use it. So, the guys spent hours outside doing manly work...which actually was quite rewarding. Jay hasn't asked me for a chainsaw yet, but it may not be too far down his list.
I didn't ask who took this picture. But it's an interesting view!

Christmas 2008- Grammie and GrandBud's

We arrived at Grammie and GrandBud's house on a Friday afternoon; it was a beautiful afternoon in Somerville, TX, and the kids played their hearts out on the wrap-around porch. The temperature dropped from 73 on Friday to 40 on Sunday. We weren't quite sure from day to day what to wear or when.
GrandBud, Madeline, Grammie and Mason all snuggly on the front porch.
One of Mason's gifts was a wooden car that zoomed on the smooth wooden floors at Grammie's. I'm glad it was too small to carry him or he would have torn the place down, ripping around the corners!
It has been our family tradition (like many families) to make and decorate gingerbread boys during the holidays. I remember doing it with all my cousins around Thanksgiving. And Grammie wanted to carry on that tradition by having the gingerbread boys available for Madeline to decorate. So, if you strain your eyes to see what's under all the frosting and sprinkles, you'll know what Madeline's eating. Mason did enjoy a few bites, too, but the real fun is in the decorating. Next year.
Madeline and Mason were very content to open each of their gifts slowly and play with each toy for a while before they opened another one. However, when it was time for the adults to open their gifts, the kids were hard to hold back; they were too excited to see what we were getting. I think that will probably change in the next couple of years, so we enjoyed their passivity this year.
I love this picture of the two kids. They were just content. Content to be at Grammie's. Content to be on the porch. Content to have only each other to play with. I'm glad I was able to capture that one second in time!

Christmas 2008- Our house

Because we visited all our family both in Texas and in California this year, we celebrated our own Christmas on December 16th. The kids were so excited and enjoyed each of the gifts.

Mason has caught the airplane "fever". He knows that most of the planes that we see over our house are either flying into Van Nuys or Burbank. Smart boy!
Grammie and GrandBud gave them the train set, which has afforded hours of playtime for us all.
The Lord has given us two precious gifts and each day seems to afford new surprises with them. So, it's Christmas every day at our house!

Ice Skating with Faith Kids

Our Faith Kids class had a field trip to the local ice rink today. Madeline was excited, although tentative about actually skating on the ice. I reassured her that all the children would be learning how to skate, and most of the mommies, too. We were about to walk in the door for our icy adventure.


The ice rink provided these "helpers" for first-time skaters. We were so thankful for some stability, and Madeline only fell once the whole day.


There was a wonderful pile of ice shavings provided for the kids to play in. They could make snowballs or just enjoy throwing the snow at each other. Madeline spent a good portion of the time here not even aware of how wet her clothes were getting.


Here's our little skater. She did really well.

The kids were ready for their much anticipated snack break of hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies. I consoled myself, while gobbling up my cookie, that I had burned enough calories on the ice to indulge with the kids. Is that willful ignorance?

Reformed...for the evening

This year Madeline dressed up as a sunflower and Mason went out as a spider. Our theme was "Things You Find in a Garden".


Every garden needs a scarecrow...and of course a gardener.


Jay played tricks on some of the neighborhood kids. As they reached down for their treats from the basket, he "woke up" and scared them. Some of them ran away crying. It was fantastic! By far, he was the best looking scarecrow I've ever seen...or kissed for that matter!

More Pumpkin Patch pics

This is Madeline and her classmate, Kelly. Too cute.


There was a long, wooden train that all the kids were climbing on and through. Madeline is pictured here on the caboose.


There were no tears about getting on this pony! Madeline was elated about her ride and she kept affectionately petting her pony telling him, "Good job, Pony."


"Where we're headed, nobody knows." Madeline on the wooden train.

Pumpkin Patch field trip

On Monday, October 20, 2008, our Faith Kids preschool class went to Underwood Family Farms and pumpkin patch. They had sunflower fields, gourds, livestock, organic vegetables, play structures and of course, pumpkins. All the kids had a great time and Madeline was a delight...and delighted.


Our group was just about to embark on the tractor trailer ride through the farm.


Every child got to choose a Sugarbaby pumpkin upon completing the trailer ride. Madeline's was tall with a nice stem.


The kids loved climbing up and down this haystack. Of course, some of the more aggressive ones would have started playing "King of the Hill" if we weren't watching.


These are just a few of Madeline's classmates, all sweet children.


We rode down to the Farm with this gal, Savannah, and her mom. Madeline and Savannah hung out together most of the day and will be great pals in school.

Whitney

Steph and Whitney in 2006






Whitney in 2006



Whitney in 2007, right before she left for Albania



Whitney in 2007

Some of you may know of my niece, Whitney, and the accident she had with her right eye about 2 weeks ago. Whitney is 9 and lives in Albania with my sister, brother-in-law and their other 3 girls. Please pray for her. Although she returned from the hospital in Turkey with a somewhat-recovered eye, the eye has worsened. My sister and bro-in-law are working now (Tuesday, Sept. 16) to get her to a hospital, preferably in London or Houston. We are confident that God is not only NOT surprised by this news, but this has been His plan all along. We are also steadfast in our faith that the God who created Whitney's eye can heal it by a word from His mouth, if He deems it best. So, we are not despairing or wavering in our commitment to God's goodness or sovereignty. We have another opportunity to trust Him, plead with Him for little Whitney, and be at rest that He will direct our steps.



Whitney in 2004



Whitney in San Diego in 2004



In Houston in 2006



Whitney in 2004



Whitney in Montgomery, TX in 2004







Whitney at home in TX in 2006







Ready for school in 2006

In mid-August, my dad and his wife took our family and Amanda's two sons (including a friend) to a friend's house in Carmel. We were overwhelmed by the beauty of the house as well as the coast. We all enjoyed 6 days together, playing games and having devotionals. What memories!
This photo was taken several years ago but gives you an accurate perception of the house's happy situation, not to mention its grandeur.



This is the view of the front porch from the front entry of the house. It was lush with plants and beautiful hydrangeas.



You can see the house from the back deck, here.



It was hard not to just sit and try to take in the vast beauty and reckless coastline of the ocean. We enjoyed mild weather and glorious sunsets.



You can see Amanda's older son, Sean, on one of the top decks, and Ryan, Amanda's younger son, in the foreground. Every room had it's own balcony that overlooked the ocean.

Celebrating Kate

Kate's Mom, Sheri, put on the most delightful birthday for Kate and her friends. It was a "breakfast tea in your pajamas" with the cake being a stack of Belgian waffles. There was watercolor painting and frozen yogurt popsicles, too. Madeline just loves her best friend, Kate.