Christmas 2010

I love Christmas! It's definitely my favorite holiday. I always have the sense of "over abundance" with all the things that we do during this time, not the least of which seems to be an obscene amount of gifts. But we really tried to spend some time focusing on the right things during this time as well, including a birthday party for Jesus, which the kids really seemed to understand and enjoy. As always, this year was filled with the hustle and bustle of shopping and parties with family and friends. Phelps (the Elf on the Shelf, a gift from the Cheathams) made a reappearance this year. He would bring daily surprises and land in a different spot each day. The daily surprises at some point became an expectation, making me wonder why I ever starting doing that to begin with, but maybe next year with some maturity, they will be a little less demanding. It was also the first Christmas in the remodled house, so it was a challenge learning how to decorate in my new space! The kids big presents from Santa this year were a life-like white puppy for Charis and a big orange talking dinosaur for Price. Additionally the Charis got a pee/poop baby and Price got a cool train set. They got lots of other fun toys, puzzles, pjs etc. We are certainly most blessed with all those "things" but remembering the blessing of the birth of Christ is what truly makes this time so special.

A great accomplishment for Daddy

In the summer of 2008 Chris started a graduate program at UTA. He decided to pursue his Masters in Professional Accounting, a 42 hour program that would make him CPA exam eligible. This was a pretty big undertaking since he maintained his full-time job and Daddy duties. He thinks it helped that he was "shacking up" with the advisor of the program :-). At one point it even looked like he might have to take my class, but circumstances changed and we never had to face that (even though I thought it would have been kind of neat)! Well, he finished the program in December 2010 with a 3.8 GPA and is now CPA exam eligible - because as everyone knows, one CPA in the house is clearly not enough. I am so proud of him though - he did a great job and it's a great accomplishment!

school Christmas program

The kids had their 2nd school program at Christmastime. The first program the kids, especially Charis, cried the whole time and did not really participate. A mere 6 months later they were such big kids! I could hardly believe it and was so proud!!

Thanksgiving 2010

We decided to make the trek out to Abilene this Thanksgiving. My Grandma, who is in assisted living these days, suffers from Alzheimer's and it seems to worsen slightly each time we see her. I know these visits are so important, and I do think the kids will remember her. She is such a dear, sweet grandma, and I know I am so fortunate to have her still alive! She is my only living grandparent and each visit with her is very special.

Also, this Fall, my Aunt Charlsa was

diagnosedwith breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy, which, Praise God, left her cancer-free. But I was wanting to spend some extra time with her too.

The menu was extra-fabulous this year! Michele hosted and dinner consisted of turkey (of

course), fingerling potatoes and sweet potato casserole (w/pecans on top), bacon wrapped green beans (my first try on those), dressing, pies, and more. As always we were stuffed to the brim!

After lunch, Michele, Aunt Charlsa and I all

worked on a craft where you take a 6x6 inch tile, glue on a picture and some scrapbook paper, modge-podge over it then add a bow or some cute decoration.

We actually only stayed one night so it was quite a quick trip, but well-worth it and a blessing to spend that time with extended family.

Pajama day at school

November 11, 2010 was pajama day at school. The kids love these special dress up days (especially because every other day they have to wear a "uniform" T-shirt with choice of jeans, khakis, or navy pants, shorts or skirt). They got to pick out their own outfits, and Price's came complete with bed head!

Our 3rd grown-up trip to Austin!

Going back for my 2nd annual Educators Conference in Austin (11/6/2010), we decided to make it into another mommy and daddy getaway! I drove down to Austin on Thursday and the conference started Friday. Chris flew in Friday night and stayed at the conference hotel with me. We got to enjoy a low-key night out, complete with romantic steak dinner! Then on Saturday, the conference wrapped up around noon and we headed back to Mecca Spa for an afternoon of relaxation! We enjoyed a sushi dinner that night and drinks and music at Maggie Mae's on 6th Street. Heading home Sunday we felt so excited to get home and see the kids (this was the first time to have 2 nights away, with us both gone). It was a good weekend away, but always good to be home!!

Some of the funny things we do...

Charis and Price are best of friends, virtually inseparable. I am so lucky. We have hit the stage (for quite some time now) that most of the time it is easier having twins than having just one. I mean, there is a built-in playmate.

Some of the games they play though are so funny. One is "boys and girls". In this game, they get out ALL of their "Little People". They have tons of them and just play pretend going to school, or going to gymnastics or mommy/daddy/babies. Sometimes (and I guess I need to take a pic of this) we will come downstairs and all of the Little People will be in one big line. It's almost a little strange! Thankfully they were not doling out pretend kool-aid to the people...

They are really big on lining things up though. In this pic, they have gotten all of their books out and put them in this pattern.

Another more recent game is doing pretend cooking, wherein any small toy can act as an ingredient. So they will gather all their ingredients and put them in a bowl, mix, and then serve up something yummy. This, by far, is the messiest of all the games, and hence my least favorite!

They, of course, love reading, drawing, coloring, painting, cooking/baking, riding bikes (or anything outside). They are still in to Dora and now Diego too. They love Scooby Doo. Charis regularly pretends to be a dog or cat. And Price loves to play catch (especially with a balloon) or shoot baskets in his little all-purpose sports center.