Sic ' Em Bears

All ready for the big game tonight!

More Caroling Pictures

I know there is still so much to post, but with Ryan still being off this week I am trying to soak in as much time with him as possible... because Monday he will be back to work. I am just so thankful for some much needed family time.

Caroling

As I mentioned in a earlier post, last week we had a house full with 2 of Ty's Cousins staying with us for a couple of days. We did our best to keep them busy. Ryan really did a lot with them.... swimming at a local indoor pool and even bowling. They were usually worn out by the end of the day.
On Wednesday Morning on of my Friends arranged for a large group of us to go and sing Christmas Carols at a local Retirement Home. It really was so much fun and all of the kids had a blast, and all of the residence were so appreciative and told us to come back any time. After we sang a few carols we enjoyed some cookies and cupcakes while mingled. I was so thankful that GK and I were able to tag on that for that.

I have been sitting here for the longest time waiting for my pictures to download on here and all I have gotten is one, so I will post more pictures when it is not taking forever. However, this picture is adorable with Tyler and his two Cousins, Caleb and Jacob.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! We hope you all have had a blessed and very Merry Christmas. We have felt thankful for all of our many blessings this year.

If you look closely at the first picture you will see that I captured, Landry (his picture is on a ornament on our tree). All three of my blessings in one picture.... LOVE.

We have a had a wonderful week filled with lots of family, and even a two month check up. I know I am very behind, so stay tuned as I work to catch up.

Cheese

This smile and outfit melt my heart. We are enjoying our week with a full house of boys. We have two of Ty's and GK's cousins in town for a few days, so our house is full of noise, laughter, and of course the occasional tears. I continue to be amazed at how thankful I am to have Georgia Kate here with us this Christmas.

Still In Love

Just in case you were wondering, Tyler is still in love with Georgia Kate! He really can't stand to be a way from her for that long. I adore these precious children.

Christmas Blessings

Christmas Party

Jumping from square to square with Will.

Georgia Kate came to the party, too! Tyler was so excited to see her.

Today Ty's school was filled with the Christmas Spirit, and ready to party. Tyler's class enjoyed pizza, fruit, cupcakes, and cookies. We ended our party with a fun book exchange. Except I don't think Ty understood that we were giving the book that we bought for the exchange away to someone else. Ty opened up a Cars book... perfect for him, but then he asked me where the book is that we brought (also Cars... boys exchanged with both boys and girls with another girl), and I told him that one of his friends had it. Ty searched all over until he found the book we brought, next thing I knew he walked up to the little boy and took it from him. I guess I need to reteach Ty about sharing and also also that Christmas is about giving.... stinker. Then of course we had a minor melt down, but what would a Christmas party be with out a mini tantrum. :) I then told him that maybe Santa would bring the book that we bought for the exchange. Hint, Hint, Santa.

Well, Christmas Break has officially begun in the Steele household, and I am thrilled!

Landry's Remembrance Gallery # 7

Yesterday afternoon I made my weekly stop at Landry's Grave Site, and as I was making my way over to his spot I spotted two red roses. Those two roses took my breath away and tears immediately came to my eyes. I truly love the the thought that someone was thinking of our Landry, and went to his Grave Site to put roses down. Thank you, Thank you! These small random acts of kindness touch my heart.

The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney With Care

4 stockings to be exact, well 6 if you count the stockings for our dogs! :) I can't tell you how much I loved being able to hang four stockings this year.
I ordered these adorable Pottery Barn stockings when Tyler was born, and I ordered 4 so when we did have another one I would not have to worry about them not being in stock or available any more. I am sure some of you think I am crazy, but I used to be a huge planner. Well, I must of known we were going to have another boy because the stocking I ordered was very boyish. That 4th stocking was perfect for Landry, and it will always be his stalking. My heart ached when I saw it again this year. Since I only had one girlie stalking I did have to order a new one this year for our precious girl. I took it took a local place to have Georgia Kate put on it, because PB would not put GK's full name on the stocking... too many letters. :)
Every time I walk by our mantle I can't help but smile at our stalkings! It is just another reminder of how God can turn all things beautiful again.

So In Love

Christmas Program

Last night Tyler's School hosted its annual Christmas Program. Of course the stars of the show were the Sheep, but maybe because Tyler was a Sheep! It was a little hard to see him since they sat the entire show, but I still kept my eyes on him the whole time. It was such a wonderful evening and truly reminded me of the real reason for this Season.

Of course Ghee, Poppy, and Georgia Kate were there to watch our adorable sheep!

Only 2 more days left until Christmas Break!!

The Elf On The Shelf

This year our family started a new Christmas Tradition with Tyler. We have a little Elf named, Francesco (Tyler named him after his favorite car) that is staying with us during the Holiday's. Francesco arrived at our house the day after Thanksgiving in a beautiful box with a precious book. We read the book to Ty and then we watched "The Elf On The Self". It is now one of Tyler's favorite shows to watch, and thankfully it came back on last Friday because I accidentally deleted the one that aired after Thanksgiving.
Francesco stays in our house all day and then flies back to the North Pole every night to report back to Santa. Ty can not touch him, but he can talk to him and I do catch Ty carrying on little conversations with Francesco.
Every Morning we wake to find out where Francesco is, because he flies to a new spot every night when he comes back from the North Pole. Ty really is enjoying the hide and seek game he gets to play with his elf! Our Elf sometimes forgets to hide himself, so he has to make a mad dash in the Morning before Tyler notices.... bad Francesco. :) He also is not that creative like some of his Elf friends, but we still love him! :)
I love being able to start new Christmas Traditions with Tyler and Georgia Kate! This is why Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.

Date Night

Ghee and Poppy graciously offered to watch the kids on Saturday Night so that Ryan and I could attend a Christmas Party. When I say watch I mean they kept them over night! My parents have kept both kids over night twice, and for that I am truly thankful! I have been a little uneasy about leaving Georgia Kate, but Ghee and Poppy are practically pushing me out the door every time. My parents truly adore all three of their Grand kids and their unending love and support that they graciously provide is greatly appreciated.
My Dad is a Baylor Graduate so he did not want to miss out on the Heisman Presentation, so luckily GK gets her night time bottle at 7 PM. Therefore, Poppy had a very special date that night as well! Poppy fed his girl and then they both were glued to the TV to find out the winner! I am sure they both shouted RG3 when he won! This picture makes me smile.
I can hardly believe that Friday is the last day of school before the Christmas Break. This means Ryan will be home for 2 weeks. I truly love this time of year. This week of course is crazy trying to wrap everything up before the Holiday. Ty's Christmas Program is tomorrow night and then he has a class party on Friday. Ryan's work schedule is a little hectic as well, but I just keep thinking if we can make it to Friday then everything will start to slow down, and we get 2 weeks of some much needed family time.

Sip & See

Kassie, K.C., Christina, Me, Whitney, Pam, Jen, and Heidi. I love you girls more than you ever know. Thanks for going above and beyond to give Miss Georgia Kate a simply sweet Sip & See.

Last Sunday 7 of my amazing friends hosted a simply sweet and wonderful Sip & See for me and the star of the day, Georgia Kate. She simply adored all the special attention and cuddles she received.

It was a wonderful afternoon and Miss GK got lots of cute stuff. I have so many special and amazing women in my life and I am so blessed to be able to call them my friends. These women wept and never left our side last year when Landry died, and the past month and a half they have shared in our joy with the arrival of Georgia Kate. Friends that are there in the good times and the bad times are truly special and will always hold a special place in my heart.

Our Georgia Kate is loved by so many and that makes my heart truly happy. What a special little girl we have and I truly love being her Mommy.

Forever Changed

Today is one of those dates that will be forever etched in my memory. 21 years ago today I woke to the sounds of my mother screaming and then I heard the words that changed my life forever.... "Justin is in Heaven". I went to sleep that night as a little sister and in a instant I became a only child.
To this day I will never never know why he was taken from us, but I am so thankful for the wonderful memories that I have of him and in my heart I will always be Justin Vaughn's little sister.... I heard those words a lot growing up. Justin was one of a kind and he was loved and adored by so many.
This Morning Tyler was playing with Georgia Kate on her play mat and tears immediately filled my eyes as I thought of my older brother, and I truly hope that my kids grow to have a beautiful relationship like the one that was beginning to form between me and Justin.
Today, I choose to find JOY in all of the many blessings in my life, and one of the greatest blessings to me is being a little sister to a brother in Heaven. I can only imagine what it will be like when I see him again one day!

Think Big

"The bigger the bow the better the Momma"!!

It's The Most

Wonderful or in our case the most busiest time of year! This week our schedule has been full and our weekend is the same way. Therefore, we have all been left a little frazzled and worn out.

Wordless Wednesday

Me and my Girl!

Baby It's Cold Outside

The cold weather has arrived and we have already enjoyed several nice fires by the fireplace, and a fire is not complete with out making S'mores. We had full weekend filled with good friends......Saturday we had friends over for Hamburgers and Football and Sunday was all about Georgia Kate, as she was star of a very special Sip N See. The afternoon was absolutely perfect and I can't wait to share more. After the Sip N See we got home just in time to welcome my College Roommate and her family for a fun overnight visit. We stayed up way to late talking but it was so worth it. Today we were able to spend a few more hours before they had to hit the road. I have been reminded again just how blessed and lucky we are to have such amazing friends in our life.

Christmas On The Farm

This Morning I was able to put my volunteer hands to use in the Gift Cottage as I was blessed to spend part of my Morning volunteering for Aware Central Texas, a local Child Abuse Prevention Agency. The Bell County Expo Center transformed in to a Christmas Farm Wonderland. They had numerous activities and booths for kids. Kids could also purchase gifts and then that is where we came in to play. The JLBC ran the gift Cottage house, so we were busy cutting, wrapping, and stuffing tissue in bags.
Ryan brought Ty out for a little bit while Georgia Kate was being loved on at Ghee and Poppy's house. I have found it a bit of a challenge to try and make every Junior League event now with Georgia Kate and also Ryan's Schedule, but I am sure it will get easier over time. We have so much this month so we will see what all I can do! I will also be thankful for the opportunities to reach out to others in our Community.