Life As We Know It: 2008

Christmas in MP

We made it to Mt. Pleasant Christmas afternoon. We were overwhelmed with so many more presents! We made a few visits around town to David's family members and to church, but mostly we enjoyed time at Grandma's house. We also gave one special gift that I will post about later.

Optimus Prime- Very nice!

Fancy ladies

Cartoons at Grandma's house

Fun with Daddy

Christmas at Home

After what seemed like forever on the road, we made it back home on Christmas Eve night. Thankfully, Boston Market was open and we were able to enjoy a nice Christmas Eve dinner before setting out cookies and milk for Santa.

Austin sprinkled some reindeer food in the front yard and then we all shuffled off to bed. The kids were told to come out of their rooms in the morning only if it was light outside (a rule I remember my parents telling me). Sure enough, Austin knocked on our door with a cheery "It's Christmas!" just before 8:00 a.m. We let the girls sleep for about 15 more minutes, then we told Austin he could wake them up. He was so excited. He ran in saying, "Ginny, Brooke, guess what?! It's Christmas! Santa came!"

It was a very memorable and special first Christmas morning with our new family. After a couple of hours of playing with all the toys, we packed up yet again and headed to Mt. Pleasant for another Christmas celebration. Somewhere on this trip I reached my fill on Christmas music. We did however sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. :)

Christmas in The Braunf

The next day we got up bright and early and headed to NB. We had a great time with my family. The girls spent most of their time there playing dress up. My mom was glad she saved all our old dance costumes!

Austin did not partake in the costume ball. He did however have a blast with the guys as usual. Austin loves spending time with Grandpa Hub and cousin Carter. He looks a lot like his dad in this picture.

Grandpa Hub & his little princesses

Our visit was extra special this year because baby Charlotte and her new family (Kristina's sister Jessica, her husband Matt, and their twin girls) were able to fly in and spend time with Austin and Ginny and the rest of us. Also joining them were the kids' Grammy & Grandpa from Illinois. It is such a blessing that we have all become like a big family even though we were brought closer by tragedy.

Dress up (yes again :)) with cousins

Beautiful Charlotte

Austin & Ginny exchanging gifts with their baby sister.

Austin & Ginny were also able to spend some special time with their very good friends and family in Austin. Ali and Austin are best buds.

Trains

As soon as winter break started, we headed to North Park Mall to meet some friends and check out the famous train exhibit there. While we were there we got to enjoy an interactive and fun story time at the public library inside the mall.

Merry Christmas!

Whew! We are finally back home after a very busy week of holiday fun and travel. Check it out-our first really good family picture together! Thanks Mom!

18 Months

Our darling angel turned 18 months old a couple of weeks ago. She is our little ray of sunshine.

Her vocabulary continues to grow amazingly every day, and her personality shines.

She is usually a very happy girl with a few moments of normal toddler independence struggles.

Since her 15 month doctor visit, she has grown three and a half inches! She is 33 inches tall which puts her in the 75th percentile, and she weighs 22 pounds which is in the 25th percentile.

Brooke loves to wear shoes at all times. She also loves bathtime and being naked. Usually at some point during the day if she is able, she will strip down to nothing and run around the house giggling. She thinks everything Ginny does is fabulous and wants to do that too. She enjoys brushing her teeth and washing her hands since she now has a step stool in the bathroom. Her favorite toy is her baby. She is pretty attached to Mommy right now (not that I have a problem with that). She gives sweet hugs and kisses daily which just melt our hearts.

We are so thankful for our blessing of a daughter. We love you baby girl!

Let it Snow!

This morning was cold and the roads were a bit icy. Translation to Texas school kids: It's snowing outside all day! As we drove home from school, passing teensy bits of white on rooftops, Austin innocently asked if he could make a snowman when he got home. I told him gently that I didn't think that was possible. We made it home, and shortly afterward it actually did snow! Austin was not finished with homework, but we let him go outside anyway--who knew how long it would be coming down! So we had a really fun time as a family out in the "snow". I was able to take some cute pictures. And maybe sometime this winter, Austin will make his snowman.

"Pleeeease Momma, can I go outside?"

Note: It is very rare that Austin smiles for a picture on purpose. I am pretty proud of the smiles I captured today.

Ginny in her favorite new coat

Brooke thought the snow tasted nice.

Snow wrestling

Kinda like when we had Sparky

Photobucket

Oh Sparky, I wonder what you are doing now. Sparky was the kitten I rescued from a certain death weeks before David and I got married. Sparky seemed to forget on many occasions that I was the one that rescued him. He obviously favored David over me, and he took pleasure in biting my ankles. He also felt a great sense of entitlement, as featured in the look he is exhibiting above. Sadly, Sparky did not adjust well to

sharing the spotlight when Brooke was born. So Sparky went to live with a lovely elderly widow with a big heart.

Anyway, back to the reason for this post. Sparky loved the Christmas tree. He especially enjoyed climbing up the tree and knocking it over. He was fascinated with the shiny ornaments and demolished any of them within reach.

I was reminded of Sparky's holiday rituals when I just yesterday found several ornaments smashed to smithereens on the floor. Only this time the culprit was no sneaky feline; it was a duo of mischievous little ladies.

So we are again back to decorating only the top half of the tree with ornaments. I wonder how many years it will be before the bottom half of the tree gets some attention.

Speaking of trees, Ginny said the cutest thing tonight at dinner.

Ginny: What is that thing under the tree?

David: That's a tree skirt.

Ginny: Oh, it's a girl tree!

Pajama Time

Two of the cutest and sweetest gals I know!

Bathing Beauty

Step 1: Bathe the child.

Step 2: Dry, diaper, and dress the child for bed.

Step 3: Make sure you don't leave the bathroom door open while the next child is taking a bath.

Back Yard Adventures

Seriously, I think Brooke is too little to know how to do this. After watching Ginny swing on her belly on the swing, this is now Brooke's favorite thing to do in the back yard.

Weeee!

And Miss Ginny has figured out how to swing this thing really high.

Tuckered Out

Things were strangely quiet in Ginny's room one night after dinner...

Guess someone really does need a nap during the day.

Thanksgiving Snapshots

We spent Thanksgiving with my family. It was great! We have so much to be thankful for.

I'm Not Kidding

I just packed the family for our Thanksgiving trip. Pictured below are the clothes ready to be packed. How long will we be gone you might ask? Two weeks? Three? We will be gone for FOUR days.

I actually think this was good for me to see. I should be feeling a big sense of accomplishment for doing a week's worth of laundry!

Shout Out

Happy Birthday (a little late) to my awesome husband!!! David, I am so blessed to be your wife. I am especially aware of how great you are this year! Thanks for being such a wonderful man!

Happy Housekeepers

The girls love to help around the house! Well Ginny does anyway. Brooke just likes to do whatever Ginny is doing. Now my floors are sparkling!

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